5 Cosmetics Myths Debunked, According To A Medical Professional
The more you know
These days getting a lil’ touch up at a medispa or a cosmetic procedure in your lunch break is just as common as getting your lashes lifted or your brows laminated. But with a rise in procedures so to comes the spread of misinformation about what will and won’t work for your skin. Fortunately, we caught up with Dr Karina Patel of KMK Aesthetics—who has over 10 years experience in medical facial aesthetics—to spill the tea on the biggest myths in the industry.
Take note! These are the top five cosmetics myths, debunked.
#1 Starting dermal fillers when you’re younger will help you stay younger
Dermal fillers are a great treatment to help turn back the clock and return fullness to the face when elastin, collagen and fat have depleted over time. For younger patients I always approach with caution as filler expands spaces. When you’re young you already have a full face so adding fillers can actually stretch your skin and the tissues in your face if overdone—which would give unwanted outcomes for the future.
If younger patients are considering filler, it’s all about the placement. It can be administered before wrinkles, sagging skin, and lost volume but I would opt for softer fillers to help boost collagen production rather than “fill”. There are also many options other than filler to promote collagen production that can be considered like PDO threads.
Regardless of age, the main thing to look at is the individual patient. You may be in your 20s but due to genetic and environmental factors your face may have matured early so the best thing to do is book in a consultation so that the appropriate treatment can be planned. When it comes to dermal fillers, it’s definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ situation.
#2 Mesotherapy is just the same as needling
In short, the answer to this is no, they’re not. Needling, which is also known as collagen induction therapy, works by creating small wounds (pin pricks) on the skin’s surface. Your skin responds with a healing reaction causing an increase in collagen and elastin production. This helps to tighten and rejuvenate your skin improving the appearance of scarring, wrinkles and produces a more youthful complexion.
Mesotherapy has all the benefits of needling but also involves injecting active ingredients—vitamins, enzymes and plant extracts trans-dermally into your skin. It can help to improve dull and tired skin and to smooth out those superficial wrinkles. Because it is introduced with injecting it removes the toxins in our skin by improving blood circulation. I specially blend meso cocktails for your skin concerns with the help of a compounding pharmacy to achieve the best bespoke treatment. Mesotherapy can also include a cocktail with an anti wrinkle solution to help fight oil production which helps treat acne and gives a glass-like appearance to your skin.
#3 Fat dissolving injections are really expensive
Fat dissolving injections work by injecting deoxycholic acid (DCA) into the fatty layer under our skin to permanently destroy fat cells. (Note: this will only work as a treatment for people with stubborn fat pockets.) It is important to know that fat dissolving treatment is not done over a single session. There are usually two to four treatments required at a minimum, roughly six weeks apart and will cost between $350 to $500 per session. Studies have shown that the results can last for five or more years.
Comparing this with the more invasive surgical option of liposuction (chin and neck liposuction tends to range from $2100 to $5000), it’s actually a much more cost effective option, plus there’s no downtime involved as it’s not invasive.
#4 Fillers are irreversible
At KMK Aesthetics, we use hyaluronic acid fillers which are reversible. If there was a complication with the treatment it would usually involve dissolving the filler down and then starting treatment again at a later date. Hyaluronidase is used to dissolve filler however it is present in bee/wasp venom and there have been cases of anaphylaxis in response to the use of hyaluronidase. Therefore it is important that we know if you are aware of any allergies to insect stings in the past and if this is the case it may be best for you not to have filler treatment in case there was a complication and it couldn’t be dissolved. This risk is explained at the time of the consultation. We can also patch test on your arm to see if you will have a reaction prior to using any hyaluronidase if it is an elective procedure and not an emergency.
#5 Anti wrinkle injections only last a month, so you have to get them redone all the time
Anti wrinkle treatments generally last for up to three months. They take around two weeks to fully kick in after injection. You should start to see some movement coming back after the two month mark as it slowly starts to wear off. Certain factors that can make anti wrinkle treatment last for less time include:
- You didn’t have enough product—If you want some movement and wish to remain looking natural we have to inject less. Or if you had your treatment done with a budget and asked for three areas to be treated with 1/2 the dose it simply will not last as long. The pharmaceutical companies have carried out multiple studies to come up with the most effective dose to last for around three months.
- You might have a very high metabolism—This is especially common in people who exercise heavily.
- Aftercare advice to follow immediately after having the treatment contributes to its longevity—Do not rub, do not have alcohol for 24 hours, do not stay in extreme heat or cold for the following 24 hours, avoid sun exposure and do not exercise for 24 hours.
Put your face in the right hands with Dr Karina and book a consultation at KMK Aesthetics today. Head here for a younger, more vibrant you.
Note: All content in this article is information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. All medical procedures involve risks.
