Brought to you by Faces of South Tampa
As the popularity of cosmetic injectables has exploded over the last two decades, Jennifer Puleo, ARNP, MPH, a nurse practitioner and owner of Faces of South Tampa, frequently hears concerns about patients’ end results.
“Patients’ biggest fear is that they’re going to look unnatural and bizarre,” she says.
To alleviate those worries, Puleo says the trend among industry leaders has shifted to a conservative, “less is more” approach to aesthetics. Here are five of the treatments growing in popularity at Faces of South Tampa.
ADDING VOLUME
“One major sign of looking older is the face thinning out,” Puleo says. “Volume loss can age us drastically, so patients are really wanting to address it with products like Voluma® and Sculptra®.” Sculptra® Aesthetic, an FDA-approved collagen stimulator, works subtly and gradually over time for a more youthful-looking appearance. It can be injected into areas lacking volume such as the mid-face, temples and buttocks. The key to volume restoration is the amount of filler used and perfected placement. While the old trend of placing fillers in the forefront of the face created a “Muppet-like” appearance, the new trend gives the look of a contoured model.
IMPROVING SKIN TEXTURE
Sculptra® and/or PRP (platelet rich plasma) can also be microneedled into the skin or used after a fractional laser treatment to stimulate collagen production and create a tighter, smoother appearance. “Although cosmetic injectables can give you a more youthful look, skin care is still key,” Puleo says. “Injectables pair best with well-cared-for skin, so repairing damaged or tired skin first will give you optimal results.”
NEW APPROACHES TO BOTOX® COSMETIC
Through the Meso-Botox technique, patients dealing with acne, oily skin and sweating can have small doses of Botox® Cosmetic injected into the dermis, rather than the facial muscles, to help tighten pores and create a more mattified look. Micro-Botox, or “Baby Botox,” involves the injection of smaller diluted Botox doses to create a more subtle look than traditional Botox injections. “Microtox allows for more natural facial movement, and a patient may choose to have it done more frequently to maintain a natural look,” Puleo says.
JAWLINE AUGMENTATION AND RESHAPING
Faces’ “toolbox” is filled with tools used to help reshape the jawline. Kybella® is used to destroy unwanted double chin fat. “We’ve had great success using Kybella for jowl tightening as well,” Puleo adds. Additionally, facial fillers can replicate a more defined chin and jawline.
“With jaw augmentation, you’re reshaping the face as opposed to filling it,” Puleo says. “Using filler and/or Kybella can give the illusion of a tighter jawline.”
NATURAL-LOOKING LIPS
While lip augmentation is here to stay, Puleo says patients are backing away from the overly plumped-up look of recent years. “People are looking for natural, defined and hydrated lips rather than the old trend of lips looking artificial and inflated,” she adds. Drug companies are aiding in the demand for a more natural approach as they continue to create lighter and thinner facial fillers.
One way to achieve a perfect pout without overdoing it is a technique called a “Botox lip flip,” where small amounts of Botox are injected into the muscles around the mouth to relax them and roll the lips outward, making them look subtly fuller and poutier with or without filler.
“With all cosmetic treatments, it has always been my belief that the best injection is the one that looks like it was never done,” Puleo says.
