Quick overview
How long does it take?
30-60 mins
What type of anaesthetic is used?
Topical gel anaesthetic, filler + anaesthetic combinations
Pre-procedure requirements?
Informed consent, ‘prepped’ skin, clinical photography
Scarring & impact on skin
Nil
Back to work & socially presentable
Immediately, (swelling for 4-6 hrs)
Back to exercise
4-6 hours
Aftercare
Nil specific. Cool facewash. No massage
Cost
From £450; depending on treatment plan
Repeat
8-12 months for sustained consistency
What are facial filler and contouring treatments?
Structural changes seen in facial ageing can be managed with skilful non – surgical clinic based procedures that restore the form of youthful facial architecture. This results in a natural rejuvenation that integrates with facial movement and balances light and shadow to reflect the youthful curves of the face.
Facial fillers and Facial contouring treatments are sought by men and women of all ages. These procedures are not a substitute for surgery – they do not do the same thing – but are a complementary and valuable suite of non – surgical procedures. Fillers are “injectable implants”. There are many different types of fillers, of different gel consistency, which are used for different purpose in different layers of the face. With this understanding, safe, effective, and natural results can be delivered in the clinic.
Facial contouring procedures are a common request at the Jonathan Britto Clinic and subtle, natural results are our trademark.
Jonathan’s background in craniofacial surgery and craniofacial proportion bring his authority to the fore – his innate understanding of contour, facial proportion, light and shadow are as valuable to his nonsurgical sculpting practise as to his practise in surgery.
Whether it be a single treatment or in combination with other aesthetics or surgical procedures, we take the time to achieve a result that brings out the best version of you.
Verified Patient
The aim is to optimise contour, without disrupting the natural junctions between the aesthetic units of the face – to provide for natural facial movement, and to banish shadow whilst introducing light. With the introduction of bio stimulators, skin conditions and collagen remodelling products, I now have a ‘tool box’ of products that I can use to achieve these principles and rather like a craftsman, to ‘sculpt’ natural beautiful rejuvenation
Jonathan Britto
Benefits
Why would you consider fillers and facial contouring treatments?
We have no bias. The key of the consultation is to learn from you what your aims are, what your fears might be, and what the practical restrictions are that you feel limit your choices. In the treatment planning of an aesthetic or restorative programme for the face, we now have so many choices that we can be comprehensive, and responsive to your practicalities.
Fillers and facial contouring agents can be combined with anti-wrinkle dynamic muscle relaxing injections just under the skin, and with topical treatments related to the biology of skin health. All of this without considering a scalpel blade!
Facial contouring procedures using dermal fillers and other bio stimulating products can be used safely and effectively to treat a range of concerns. Here are just some options:
- Temple hollowing
The temples are often overlooked as an area that contributes to the appearance of an ageing face. Hollowness in the temples ‘skeletonises’ the face and decreases the width of the mid and upper face. This changes the ratios of the youthful ‘beauty triangle’ and results in an ageing appearance. In women this can often be hidden with a good hairstyle but once the hair is taken away from the face the sunken areas are exposed. In men, the skeletal definition can be considered masculine, whereas the gender difference for women is less flattering. Restoration of temporal volume is an important aspect of both Craniofacial surgery and aesthetic medicine.These deficits in volume can be addressed using facial contouring techniques which restore facial proportions and create a smooth transition from the forehead to the cheek.
- Forehead lines and heavy brow
Horizontal lines in the forehead are a result of repeated movement of the muscles that raise the eyebrows along with a loss of muscle, fat, bone and skin firmness. Habitual facial movement leads to permanent crease lines in the skin, which together with lots of fat volume and soft tissue laxity becomes ageing. This leads to permanent lines in the forehead and lowering of the brow height. Patients will often change their hairstyle to compensate. Dynamic anti-wrinkle injections (Botox(TM) is considered a good solution to treat horizontal lines in the forehead. Deep creases in the skin, volume loss from fat attrition, or poor skin quality can all be treated without surgery. Whilst surgical brow lifts can achieve excellent results to reposition and lift the brows – facial contouring options may be the preferred solution. - Tear trough and dark circles
There are three main causes of dark circles; dark brown pigmentation due to increased melanin production; tiny blood vessels that are visible through the thin skin of the eye area and are seen as ‘purplish’ shadow; and a ‘dip’ volume loss, or sunken ‘trough’ caused by a volume imbalance in the skin, muscle, or fat under the eye. This collects shadow and appears as a ‘dark circle’.There may be a single cause or a combination of two or all three factors and this will direct the planning of the treatment. A well planned combination of treatments can achieve a significant long-term reduction.
Dark circles caused by pigmentation variations can be successfully treated with prescription topical creams, Lasers and other skin health strategies including chemical peels and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Dark circles caused by vascular show are perhaps the most difficult to treat and a combination approach using specialised Lasers and injection treatments work very successfully.
Tear trough deformities caused by volume loss, from for example, uneven fat distribution, laxity in the muscle around the eye and bone structure can result in a deep groove under the eye and make the eyes appear sunken and drawn. The area collects shadow creating ‘pseudo’ dark circles of shadow. This can be difficult to cover with make-up and can be extremely distressing for both men and women.
Tear trough malformation surgery can transform the complete oculoplastic aesthetics, however, for those that want an alternative non-surgical option – facial contouring can be a great start. A soft gel hyaluronic acid filler will ‘lift’ to a flat smooth contour, eliminating the shadow and banishing the dark circles.
- Cheek contouring
The mid face is an important reference point for the beauty of the face. As ageing progresses the ratios of the facial ‘beauty triangle’ change, and invert. Sagging muscles, fat and skin in the cheeks descend giving a tired, drawn appearance from the lower eyelids to the jawline.Non-surgical facial contouring has an important role to enhance youthful face shape. A range of techniques and products is employed to contour the mid face for natural, long lasting, results.
- Nose imperfections (non-surgical rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is most often the gold standard to treat imperfections of the nose. However, non-surgical rhinoplasty treatments have a role to play in facial contouring. The anatomy of the nose is complex and an in depth understanding of its structure is key to achieving safe results that are aesthetically satisfying. There are several products that sculpt and perfect the shape, and smooth the contours of the nose. - Jawline definition and sharpening
The jaw (gonial) angle has become a fashionable focus for contouring in recent years with both men and women craving a sharp chiselled jaw. Psychologically and culturally the jaw shape has power with men seeking a strong jawline to indicate model good looks and strength. Whilst a woman’s jawline is naturally softer than that of a male, women too want sharper definition to give the face a youthful contoured appearance. Applied filler therapies are very powerful in the ‘layer two’ and ‘layer five’ of the face to achieve jawline sculpting. - Non-surgical chin enhancement
Chin augmentation with fillers can make a powerful difference to those that have unbalance in the lower face. The role of the teeth and underlying bone structure as a support to the facial tissues is an important consideration when planning a non – surgical contouring procedure. Lack of dental or skeletal support can result in sunken hollows in the cheeks, a recessed chin angle and textural changes in the skin. In the lower third of the face, surgical options might be considered particularly “invasive”, and a clinic based treatment is a valuable parallel option two which surgery might be later added if required. - Lines and wrinkles
There are many ways to treat lines and wrinkles and non-surgical contouring is a popular option for men and women. Lines and folds can be targeted with a range of filling and bio stimulating products to soften lines and rejuvenate.With ongoing maintenance these procedures can hold back the signs of ageing as well as conditioning and optimising skin health. Fine lines around the eyes, across the forehead and around the mouth can be treated as well as deeper lines and folds at the side of the mouth and in the lower face. Whatever the concern, facial contouring using dermal fillers and bio-stimulating products can treat a range of indications including:
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Mouth to nose lines
- Marionnette Lines
- Smokers lines
- Chin crease
- Neck lines
- Décolleté lines
Products
Most dermal fillers are composed of a soft gel hyaluronic acid that can be moulded and manipulated to naturally contour, restore and enhancing volume. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in the body and is essential for skin hydration.
Using the highest-grade hyaluronic acid ensures the safety and sterility of the products which have limited risks when used by skilled surgeons.
Hyaluronic acids dermal fillers come in a variety of gel thicknesses to suit different clinical indications. giving results that last between 6 to 18 months.
Sculptra– Often referred to as the ‘liquid face lift’ Sculptra is a unique bio-stimulator that works with your skin’s natural ability to generate collagen. Collagen is the skin’s natural ‘scaffolding’ giving it form, shape and suppleness.
Ageing brings about many unwanted changes in appearance and the causes of ageing are from both internal and external factors. Natural collagen biosynthesis slows down with every passing year with the loss of skin plumpness and vibrance.
Sculptra initiates the production of collagen to improve upon natural volume and support to ageing or volume depleted skin, with improvement to skin quality and texture.
The results of Sculptra are seen over a period of 6 to 8 weeks of improving skin quality, firmness and subtle volumisation.
Results last between 12 to 24 months.
Profhilo – Profhilo is a hyaluronic acid based bio-simulator which re models’ the tissues to treat skin laxity and texture. Replenishing the skins hyaluronic acid and stimulating collagen, the support and density of the skin is improved. The product can be reasonably described as “an injectable moisturiser”, best used when textural changes are required rather than volume restoration.
Profhilo is not just limited to the face and is successfully used on the neck, décolleté, hands and arms. It is suitable for men and women of all ages and offers a perfect preventative treatment for younger patients wanting to be proactive in skin ageing.
Two to three treatments sessions are recommended spaced 1 month apart and Profhilo is easily combined with skin health programmes to achieve radiant smooth skin.
FAQs
Others can have more noticeable signs of swelling and sometimes bruising. While this is rare it would be best to plan this procedure in a time when a short period of recovery could be taken if required.
Once a good correction has been achieved, facial contouring procedures can last between 6 to 24 months with maintenance treatments giving longer lasting results. Patients for hyaluronic acid fillers will be seen twice or three times a year, and established patients with treatment programmes for Sculptra and Profilho may request retreatment once or twice a year.
The hyaluronic gel naturally breaks down and this process will be dependent on the metabolic processes of the body. The effects can last six to ten months before treatment is repeated.
At the jonathan britto clinic, we use the highest-grade hyaluronic acid fillers, and injectable bio-stimulators from certified suppliers and we complete regular audits, generating statistical data on safety and quality of treatments. This gives our patients the reassurance they are being looked after safely.
Jonathan enjoys the technical aspects of filler bio-stimulator treatments, and conducts them with the same professionalism, skills, and commitment as he does his surgical practice.
Filler treatments change the internal physiology of the skin, the pressure within the skin, and the blood supply to the skin. The majority of the risks from this treatment therefore arise from poor injecting techniques that may cause permanent damage. It is crucial to seek treatment by experienced medical professionals to avoid complications.
In a more youthful version! Our patients don’t want to look different they just want to look the best they can be.
By skilfully working with the natural architecture of your face, beautifully natural contoured results can be achieved.
In the hands of a skilled injector injectable treatments in any part of the face or body should be a tolerable treatment with minimal discomfort. Patients pain thresholds vary and for those who are less tolerant we can numb the skin with topical cream before the treatment to make the treatment even more comfortable.
As with all injectables, injection technique plays a big part in the comfort of this treatment along with using the highest quality needles. Many of the products we use contain a local anaesthetic so as the treatment progresses it becomes even more tolerable. It is extremely rare for any of our patients to comment that they have felt ‘pain’. Of course, we all appreciate a hand to hold!
At their best, injectable treatments as volumizers and skin conditioning agents, provide shape, definition, volume, and hydration to the skin. The suite of ‘injectables’ now available allow for very bespoke results with a natural outcomes.
These treatments should be the discrete reserve of the clinic room, and not evident in the dining salon or on Harley Street! Effective, safe, natural and balanced – quick, easy, comfortable, and affordable. These are the principles of injectable treatments at the Jonathan Britto clinic.
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London
0203 752 1566
Jonathan Britto
