Q&A on Cosmetic Treatments

I was recently interviewed for an article in the Vancouver Sun where I shared some thoughts on popular cosmetic treatments. Below is a summary:

Who is a good candidate for treatments such as microdermabrasion, dermal fillers and botox? 

Anyone looking for a little pick-me-up for their skin, whether they are looking to improve the tone and texture, lift sagging skin, or reduce fine lines and wrinkles, is a good candidate for these types of treatments. However, not everyone is a good candidate for each of these treatments. A person who has significant photoaging (i.e. sun damage) and wrinkles may not see a dramatic improvement with microdermabrasion; conversely a younger patient with good volume and minimal lines/wrinkles may not be the best candidate for filler (at that time) and may want to focus on preventative skin care strategies first.    

Are there any age ranges that are too old or too young for certain types of treatments? 

There is no optimal age for getting these treatments. It really depends on the individual and their skin. There are patients in their late 20’s who have deep frown lines and may be great candidates for neuromodulator treatment such as Botox. In fact, studies have shown that starting with minimal amounts of Botox earlier on can have a preventative effect to reduce deep lines and wrinkles later in life. On the other side there are many patients who benefit from cosmetic treatments well into their 70’s and beyond.  

How do people go about finding a reputable practitioner? Especially when it seems like almost every salon and spa offers some type of non-surgical treatment? 

Trusting the practitioner you see is important, not only for best outcome with the treatment, but also for reducing complications. When it comes to injectables there are certain risks that can be mitigated when being treated by a physician who has specialized fellowship training in cosmetic medicine. I think it is worthwhile to review the credentials of the practitioner and meet with them for a consultation to make sure you feel comfortable proceeding with the proposed treatment plan.

How do medical professionals manage people’s expectations pre and post-treatment? 

Managing expectations is a very important aspect of what medical professionals need to do. It is important for patients to have a thorough consultation with their physician up front to make sure they know how many treatments will be required, anticipated effects from the treatment, how long the treatment will last, etc.  With any treatment, some people are going to be on the lower end of response and others may get a dramatic improvement. So it’s important to counsel around that.  For all cosmetic treatments we do photos before the treatment and at follow up after the treatment, so that we can review together the progress that is being made - this is especially useful for treatments that require multiple visits.