While there is no doubt that injectables have entered the public consciousness, it is safe to say that such procedures are still rife with longstanding misconceptions. From its apparently irreversible effects to its tendency to stretch and sag skin, fillers, for instance, have garnered a maligned reputation over the past few years—most of which is bolstered by less-than-meticulous medical professionals that get overzealous during the administration process, rather than to do with filler quality and function. It is a phenomenon that Dr Emma Xu from The Urban Clinic attests to.
“Terms like ‘pillow face’, overfilled syndrome, and festoons are trending on social media with many botched cases being highlighted,” Dr Xu explains. “The truth is that such results are often not due to the filler product, but instead the injector’s injection technique.” Indeed, what distinguishes a natural-yet-enhanced visage from an overly-plumped, distorted one lies in factors that are entirely contingent on the injector at hand. A superior sense of visual balance, distribution control, and experience are just some of the key variables, though it stands to reason that there are many more to be aware of.
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For those wondering what exactly one should be conscious of before asking for injectables, Vogue Singapore has you covered. We get to the bottom of things through an interview with the doctors of The Urban Clinic, delving deep into matters related to biocompatibility, trend treatments, and more.
First things first: What does your clinic stand for, and what are some of the signature treatments?
Dr Byron: The Urban Clinic believes in providing quality medical aesthetic services that are tailored to each individual patient’s needs. Above all, we strive to be open and honest with our patients, to empower them with knowledge. It’s hard to narrow down specific signature treatments as the clinic as whole is well-rounded with each doctor bringing different strengths to the table.
Tell us about your approach to beauty and aesthetics.
Dr Emma: Beauty is a very powerful language that universally evokes a happy feeling. To achieve facial beauty however, there are often many factors to take into consideration with a very small margin for error. As aesthetic doctors, we need to be not only equipped with good scientific knowledge and a keen eye for beauty. We also always need to remember to respect every patient’s individualistic native features. Furthermore, similar to the ever-changing trends in other aesthetic industries, the way we define beauty keeps evolving with time. Hence, keeping up with facial beauty trends while being mindful to not cross the line is important to produce exceptional results that do not look “fake”. This constant interplay of science, art, fashion and results are unique to aesthetic medicine and the ability to balance them is key.
Is there a right time to start doing aesthetic treatments?
Dr Rongrong: When considering when to start aesthetic treatments, I generally like to highlight three categories that often serve as a good starting point. If you identify with any of the following three categories I would say it’s a good time to consider speaking to an aesthetic doctor about your concerns:
- If your friends or colleagues often mention you look tired, sad or a combination of angry or fierce. This can actually be an indirect result of a combination of facial volume loss, tissue laxity and overactive facial muscle movement as a result of ageing.
- If you wish to look younger than your actual age and have concerns about ageing gracefully.
- If you are struggling with a skin condition that has not improved with over-the-counter skin care such as acne and rosacea, pigmentary issues, or general poor skin quality (signs include dullness of skin or impaired skin barrier function).
How have the use of fillers evolved, and what are some important things one should consider?
Dr Emma: Fillers are substances that are biocompatible with our bodies that allow volume restoration. Unlike traditional hyaluronic acid fillers, there are now fillers with biostimulatory effects that have been trending recently.
Over the years, the effects fillers have on the surrounding tissues and structures of the face have been extensively studied. This has led to not only an enhanced safety profile but a greater understanding of how the correct placement of fillers can also enhance the activity of facial muscles, ultimately leading to anti-ageing effects. However, despite improved filler properties, a better knowledge on injection techniques and an increase in evidence that the treatment can reap benefits, there has been some controversy surrounding the reputation of fillers.
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Science is indeed great, and fillers are indeed useful but whether you get your desired result is more often than not due to your injector’s skill, experience and artistic sense. Therefore, when considering treatments like fillers, your top priority should not be in choosing which product to use but in which injector to perform the procedure for you.
If fillers aren’t an option, is there any alternative that can also add volume, or perhaps shape and lift the face?
Dr Yanni: Biostimulators. They are biocompatible, for one, and are resorbable materials that can be safely injected into the layers of the face. They essentially stimulate the cells to activate fibroblasts and increase collagen production. The actual biostimulator is removed by the body after a period of time (months), and in its place, there is an increase in volume from your own collagen. The volume appears natural and does not affect normal expression of the face.
How about any other non-surgical options?
Dr Tsu: Should a consumer prefer a less invasive procedure, I’d say Ultherapy is a good option. It is a non-surgical skin-lifting system that uses real-time imaging and visualisation to deliver micro-focused ultrasound energy into the deeper layers of the skin with precision. This will trigger and stimulate collagen remodelling and synthesis in the target layers of the skin, resulting in a natural tightening and lifting of the skin at the treatment areas. This process, over time, prevents and improves ageing of the skin, thus translating to a fresher and more youthful appearance of the face.
