The tighter the prettier OF..... isn't it!
Part 2
In my previous blog, I wrote about examples of client questions that I want to answer "no" to. Case in point: a 40-year-old woman asking for treatment of frown lines, forehead lines and the crow's feet with the added comment "that it has to be completely tight."
Nothing is easier than doing what is asked but for me also nothing more unsatisfactory than doing my job that way.
Last week I attended an online education in which some experts within cosmetic medicine talked about botox treatments. Among other things, it was about the difference between "negative" and "positive" wrinkles.
The frown line is caused by the tightening of some muscles, and these wrinkles often give a somewhat sullen and tired appearance.
The muscles that cause forehead lines raise both eyebrows, and with this we express surprise, for example. They also ensure that the gaze is "open," particularly important when the eyelids have started to droop (when a person is actually due for an eyelid correction).
When someone wants the forehead lines completely gone, it is important to warn of a possible oppressive feeling on the eyes and the feeling that "the eyelids are drooping."
And then there are crow's feet, also called laugh lines. These are caused by the contraction of the muscle that runs around the eye. Just look in the mirror at what this muscle does when you squeeze your eyes together. The upper part below the outside of your eyebrow pulls the eyebrow down slightly when tightened, the part below it takes care of the (sometimes deep) lines next to your eyes, and the part under your eyes can also give lines/wrinkles there. However, what the part under your eyes also does is lift your cheeks when you smile and this contributes to a happy look. So when you treat these lines as well you lose part of your smile with it.
All of these factors weigh into your client's education and are thus "customized."
Treatment with injectables is not a standard "you ask, we turn" treatment. Important aspects are attention to the client, discussion of the goals the client wants to achieve and honest education about feasibility in which all aspects of treatment and results are discussed.
That is why I am so happy to work in a clinic where attention and time for the client are paramount.
And.... answer the question in the title of this blog: No, tighter is certainly not always prettier!
Nicolette Vermeulen
Aesthetic physician
