AESTHETIC MEDICINE: INJECTIONS, WRINKLE FILLING, ETC.
Aesthetic medicine is a recent specialisation which focuses on (non-surgical) medical acts with aesthetic applications. More specifically, aesthetic medicine treatments offer an appropriate alternative for women and men looking for aesthetic solutions without wanting to resort to surgery.
What Is Aesthetic Medicine?
Aesthetic medicine aims to correct certain aesthetic aspects of the face or figure without any surgery. In most cases, these aesthetic procedures are designed to prevent, target, and treat skin ageing and the signs associated with it (wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, sagging skin, increased dullness, etc.). Aesthetic medicine for the face can also treat issues related to dilated pores, acne scars, stretch marks, acne, and redness.
To improve unsightly issues on the face or body, aesthetic medicine utilises various techniques including injections, exfoliation, lasers, ultrasounds, cold applications, etc. The majority of treatments target the face. However, aesthetic medicine can also be indicated to treat cellulitis, age spots on the hands, excess body hair, varicose veins, etc.
Aesthetic medicine is widely dominated by botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, which aim to smooth out expression wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid injections, which aim to fill up “hollow” areas, or to plump up certain areas of the face.
Anti-ageing medicine mainly targets the face, and can sometimes constitute an alternative to aesthetic surgery, providing excellent results without ever caricaturing the face (“frozen” face, overly swollen lips, etc.).
Who Can Practise Aesthetic Medicine?
Aesthetic medicine may be practised by a GP, by a dermatologist, or by an aesthetic surgeon. These health professionals can perform several acts of aesthetic medicine ranging from anti-ageing injections (Botox and hyaluronic acid), to mesotherapy, all the way to vascular treatments (rosacea, varicose veins), and long-term hair removal.
Doctor Vincent Masson has been practising plastic surgery for over 10 years. He is well versed in all the new, innovative aesthetic surgery and aesthetic medicine techniques. During office visits, Doctor Vincent Masson provides consulting care to understand your needs and discuss the most suitable form of treatment for natural-looking results that will meet your expectations.
What Are the Most Common Aesthetic Medicine Procedures?
The range of therapeutic procedures available for aesthetic medicine care includes:
- Hyaluronic acid (juvederm, volift, voluma, ultra smile, volbella, radiesse, etc.)
- Botulinum toxin (botox, vistabel, azzalure, dysport, etc.)
- Hyperhidrosis
- PRP or Vampire Facelift
- Mesotherapy
- MAB Lift or Medical Facelift
- Silhouette Soft Tensor Threads
- Radiofrequency
- Peeling
- Ultrasounds
- Coolsculpting
- Cryotherapy
- Cryolipolysis
- Laser (hair removal, scars, etc.)
- Macrolane
- Hyacorp to increase the size of the buttocks
- Carboxytherapy
- Skin boosters
- Jawline contouring
- Mesolift
- LED
- Hair implant
- Luminotherapy
- Ulthera
- Cellfina
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the dermis. Known for its hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid helps preserve the skin’s firmness, elasticity, and beauty. As we age, the body produces less hyaluronic acid. As a result, the skin becomes wrinkled, dehydrated, and hollow. Hyaluronic acid injections are used in aesthetic medicine as a filler to treat wrinkles and furrows in the skin. These include the nasolabial folds, the labiomental sulcus, and the marionette lines, for instance. Hyaluronic acid injections can also treat hollow areas and facial contours such as the cheekbones and the lips to bring back the bounciness and glow that the skin it used to have. Hyaluronic acid injections also constitute an aesthetic medicine treatment for under-eye bags.
For both men and women looking to combat the effects of skin ageing without resorting to surgery, hyaluronic acid is the perfect aesthetic medicine solution for the face. Absorbable and biodegradable, hyaluronic acid is very well tolerated. Hyaluronic acid injections offer immediate results which will last 8 to 24 months.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Injections
Botulinum toxin injections combat the visible signs of skin ageing. This substance has a targeted action on the neuromuscular junction, minimising the excessive contraction of facial muscles. By inhibiting the motor endplates, botulinum toxin has a paralysing effect on the motor nerves and prevents the repeated contractions of the facial muscles which lead to the formation of expression wrinkles. Injecting botulinum toxin constitutes an effective form of treatment against the lion’s wrinkle, forehead wrinkles, or crows’ feet. By relaxing the muscles directly associated with these signs of ageing, the treatment smooths out the wrinkles, corrects a stern expression, revitalises the brow line, and rejuvenates the eyes. In some cases, botulinum toxin may be used to realign drooping structures (eyebrows, tip of the nose, and lips) and to tighten the skin around the neck.
To guarantee the right approach for each patient when giving botulinum toxin injections, the practitioner must be an aesthetic medicine specialist in Paris, or an aesthetic surgeon in Paris. The injections should be done at the doctor’s office or at an aesthetic medicine centre, making sure the patients receive proper care, provided by a team of professionals.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis, which refers to excess perspiration, may be treated through botulinum toxin injections. The botulinum toxin blocks the production of sweat and prevents its secretion from the sweat glands. This aesthetic medicine treatment must be performed by a surgeon well versed in the technique, such as Doctor Vincent Masson. The effects of the botulinum toxin injections on hyperhidrosis are visible after 7 to 10 days and last for up to 4 to 9 months. The period varies based on the amount of sweat produced.
Skin Peel
Skin peels are commonly performed aesthetic medicine treatments. This aesthetic medicine technique is used in Paris by Doctor Vincent Masson and can alleviate – or eliminate – many types of blemishes on the face and neck. Several forms of treatment can be used to exfoliate the skin based on its type and on the precautions which should be taken.
The goal of a skin peel is to improve the quality of the skin and to smooth out the surface of the face and neck. These treatments aim to restore the radiance of the complexion and to help rejuvenate the skin. They may also be used to improve the condition of acneic skin, to minimise the prominence of pores, to smooth out the wrinkles and fine lines, and to reduce age spots.
A skin peel can be mechanical, thermal, or chemical. Depending on the state of the patient’s skin and on the desired results, various methods may be used: Fruit acid peels, or superficial, medium deep, and deep chemical peels. The result of this type of aesthetic medicine treatment depends on the nature and depth of the skin peel.
Cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is an aesthetic medicine treatment which aims to eliminate small fatty deposits permanently through an application of cold. This slimming technique can destroy fat cells around the belly, buttocks, saddlebags, double chin, or pectoral area without damaging nearby tissue.
This aesthetic medicine treatment is ideal for people who wish to eliminate a small amount of excess fat without resorting to surgery. The cold has a direct action on the adipocytes and induces cell death, or apoptosis. Apoptosis is a natural self-destruction mechanism which eradicates damaged cells.
The aesthetic medicine procedure consists in applying the dispenser (or cryoprobe) onto the targeted area(s). The suction and cooling of the targeted cells all the way to -7°C takes about an hour. Once the area has been treated, a light massage will be performed to reactivate blood circulation.
The aftereffects of this aesthetic medicine treatment in Paris are straightforward. Patients may experience slight muscle soreness and a small rash may appear. These symptoms are temporary.
How Much Does Aesthetic Medicine Cost?
The rates for aesthetic medicine treatments vary based on the type of procedure. Several other factors may be taken into account to determine the price of an aesthetic medicine treatment in Paris:
- The point of care;
- The duration of the procedure;
- The techniques used by the practitioner;
- The use of specific equipment;
- The follow-up required, etc.
Each doctor is free to price the various aesthetic medicine procedures he or she performs.