Full-Face Transformation

A FULL-FACE TRANSFORMATION

Business owner and busy mother of three Kate Rice seeks aesthetic treatments to rejuvenate her full-face and combat the signs of ageing

As someone who regularly helps others achieve their desired cosmetic goals, Kate Rice felt it was her turn for a refresh and confidence boost. Kate is a busy aesthetic nurse practitioner in her late 30s, who also juggles three children, and felt like she needed a lift. “I wanted to feel better about my ageing face!” she says, explaining, “I had been concerned about my skin and general facial sagging due to ageing for some years and I felt old and drawn out.” So where do aesthetic practitioners go when they themselves feel they need a treatment? Kate approached Dr Manav Bawa for his advice as she knew him as a trustworthy aesthetic mentor and trainer in the industry. “I had witnessed Dr Bawa treat various patients and the results he creates are incredible, so I knew he was the right person to work with my face,” says Kate. consultation that by treating the whole face rather than a couple of areas, a more symmetrical result could be achieved. It’s important the practitioner goes through any concerns and risks of potential treatments during a consultation. Kate says, “Dr Bawa explained in great detail what he thought would work for my face, and what the outcome may look like, then we spoke about the possible complications and restrictions on medication or treatments.” Being a practitioner herself, Kate understood the essential importance of seeking treatments from an experienced and qualified practitioner. “I wasn’t worried at all, quite the opposite, I was excited! As long as you know that the practitioner is qualified, registered with their regulatory body, and experienced, you’re in safe hands,” says Kate, adding, “Just relax and enjoy it, as the results can be incredible!”

Preparation is key

Evaluating the full-face

The consultation process is an essential part of any aesthetic treatment, and that’s no different when practitioners treat other practitioners. A full history of the issues Kate wanted help with were taken, as well as a medical and social history to make sure Dr Bawa selected the right treatment. Kate originally approached Dr Bawa with a desire to get fillers in specific areas of her face. “As an aesthetic nurse, I thought I knew what I needed,” she explains, adding, “I had it in my head that I just needed my cheeks and jaw treated, however when Dr Bawa showed me my side profile, I noticed how my chin had receded back, which was making the rest of my face look over-tired and prematurely aged. Dr Bawa showed me more options, suggesting rejuvenation of the whole face, specifically my cheeks, temple, jowls, and chin using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which would have a more effective overall result.” In her consultation, Dr Bawa asked Kate how her appearance made her feel. “I run my own clinic around my other job as a mum to three active boys which takes up nearly all of my time!” explains Kate, adding, “It’s very tiring and with the combination of approaching 40, and not having much time to invest in skincare, I just really wanted to feel more positive about the way I look. Looking in the mirror I could see the areas that could be improved, and they were bothering me on a daily basis. I know appearance isn’t everything, but it certainly helps!” Dr Bawa explained to Kate during the

Kate gave Dr Bawa official written and verbal consent before the treatment as is standard practice. Her makeup was removed and the skin was cleaned twice to remove any bacteria or dirt, and ‘before’ photos were taken. “Dr Bawa then marked up the injection points on my face and we were ready to go!” says Kate. Experiencing the treatment Due to her in-depth consultation with Dr Bawa as well as her experience as a nurse practitioner, Kate knew what to expect from the majority of treatments she was to receive. “I had witnessed Dr Bawa executing the MD Codes, which are very precise guidelines to follow when administering hyaluronic acid fillers, taking in to account the Before After Before and after full-face rejuvenation treatment. After image shows a lifted mid-face, fuller cheek area, brow lift, an elongated chin and a reduced jowl area. Images courtesy of Dr Bawa.

Before

1 2

4 3 7

5

6

After

The injection points

1. Tail of brow 2. Lateral canthus of eye 3. Medial right cheek 4. Angle of mandible/jawline 5. Jowl 6. Chin 7. Medial left cheek

The points on the face that were injected (left) and the areas that were affected (right)

face as a whole. Nothing is left to chance with this method and for each injection site there is a minimum quantity of product required, a technique for administering the product, and a specific injection depth,” explains Kate. First, Dr Bawa put numbing anaesthetic cream on the areas he was going to treat to help with the pain, then he injected into the cheeks to achieve a lifting of the mid-face. Kate’s temple was also treated to subtly lift her brow region and add a refreshed appearance around the eyes, and the cheeks were then injected again to give a fuller look and reduce the tired appearance of the eyes. The chin was then treated, to elongate it and the jowl area to enhance the rejuvenation of the chin and reduce the jowls to create an augmented profile. A variety of Juvéderm Vycross dermal filler products were used including Voluma for the cheek and temple region, as well as Volux for the chin and jowls and Volift for the cheeks. “I knew that getting filler in my lips and cheeks is not too painful at all, but I didn’t expect my chin to hurt as much as it did!” says Kate, “It was completely manageable though with painkillers, and Dr Bawa explained that it is completely normal, and pain can vary from person to person.”

“After my treatment I was advised by Dr Bawa not to put any makeup on my face to prevent the risk of infection from the injection sites"

Post-treatment and aftercare

“After my treatment I was advised by Dr Bawa not to put any makeup on my face to prevent the risk of infection from the injection sites, and I also was told not to do any extreme exercise, use saunas or drink alcohol for the next 24 hours. Also, no facial massages or treatments for at least two weeks,” Kate says. After her treatment, Dr Bawa kept in regular contact with Kate to see how her recovery was progressing. “I had quite a lot of bruising on my chin as it’s an area with lots of veins, meaning bruising is more likely,” explains Kate, adding, “It was pretty painful for about four to five days, so Dr Bawa recommended antihistamines for the swelling and ibuprofen for any pain. He explained that Juvéderm Vycross products can take up to eight weeks to settle, so I knew to just relax and wait.”

Rejuvenating results

“When the bruising and swelling had subsided in about a week, I was absolutely thrilled with the results!” says Kate. “Despite it taking eight weeks for the product to settle, my face looked less tired, much firmer and tighter and the thing I loved the most was how hydrated it looked and felt,” she adds. The full-face rejuvenation left Kate feeling more positive about the way she looks. She adds, “I can see an obvious difference in my whole face from having my cheeks, chin, jowls and temple treated. I have a hectic lifestyle and it’s hard to find time to look after myself in the way I would like, but since the treatment I just feel a lot more youthful and confident. I’ve been taking more time to apply my makeup because I’ve actually been enjoying looking at my face! But equally I’ve been wearing less makeup, especially concealer around my eyes and I’ve needed a lot less moisturiser as my entire face looks and feels so hydrated.”

Dr Manav Bawa, aesthetic practitioner, Time Clinic, Essex

IG: @timeclinicofficial Practitioner perspective

Assessing and treating the face as a whole, rather than treating one area in isolation, can provide a much more holistic and balanced result, achieving facial harmony and rejuvenation. I give the analogy of treating the problem, as opposed to papering over the cracks, for example if there was a crack in the wall, one would fix the cause of the crack, rather than just paint over it. The Juvéderm Vycross range of products I used would normally last 18-30 months on average, so regular annual reviews would be sufficient. After 12-24 months, we would move on to a maintenance programme, where small amounts of product would be placed where required.