7 Uses For Cosmetic Injectables You Never Knew

It’s not only wrinkles and lines that can be treated with cosmetic injections. New therapeutic uses are being discovered, enabling plastic surgeons to help patients with a range of non-cosmetic issues.

 

Scientific studies have found good evidence to support the use of cosmetic, muscle relaxing injectables as a treatment for conditions such as neuropathic pain, facial tics, excessive sweating and hand tremors. 

Read on for a run-down of the seven uses you (probably) never knew about…

1) Facial spasms

Facial spasms or tics (facial dystonias) can be effectively treated with muscle relaxing injections, studies have indicated.

In fact, such is its efficacy; it has become the principal treatment for benign essential blepharospasm, the medical term for abnormal blinking or spasms of the eyelids.

Other dystonias it can be used to treat include hemifacial spasms (spams on one side of the face), orbicularis myokymia (uncontrollable quivering of muscles around the eye) and Meige syndrome (involuntary contractions of the muscles of the jaw and tongue).

It’s also useful for patients suffering from apraxia of lid opening, which is the inability to initiate voluntary eyelid opening following a period of eyelid closure.

Treatment for these conditions involves injections into the face every three to six months.

2) Facial palsy

Patients recovering from facial paralysis may experience abnormal healing of the nerve fibres (a condition known as aberrant regeneration). 

This mis-wiring of the nerves can in turn lead to involuntary muscular movements. When this occurs between the eye and the lower facial muscles it can result in associated ocular problems such as keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and corneal exposure.

One randomised controlled trial tested muscle relaxants at four injection sites in the orbicularis oculi (upper eye muscle) which resulted in significant improvements.

3) Migraines

The beneficial effect of cosmetic injections on migraines was discovered by accident while being used for cosmetic use.

It is especially useful for people suffering from chronic migraines (more than 15 a month). Two large studies have been carried out, which showed that the injectable muscle relaxant was significantly superior to placebo in reducing headache days and improved overall quality-of-life.

The studies also demonstrated that such injectables were safe and well tolerated, leading to the subsequent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010 for this use.

The treatment for chronic migraines involves the injecting of small amounts of muscle relaxants in 31 sites in the head and neck, repeated every 12 weeks. The injections target the sensory nerves rather than the muscles.

4) Hand tremors

Many people associate shaky hands with Parkinson’s disease, but the most common cause of shaking hands is actually essential tremor.

Essential tremor is the most common neurologic disorder affecting adults and, unlike Parkinson’s, results in shaking when a sufferer tries to use a muscle rather than when the muscle is at rest.

Two double-blind studies have compared cosmetic injections to placebo into the arms of 158 patients with moderate to severe essential hand tremor with significant improvements observed.

5) Excessive sweating

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a condition that commonly affects the underarms, palms, and face. Muscle relaxing injections have been found to successfully prevent excessive sweating in all instances for a period of up to six months.

It works by temporarily blocking signals from the nervous system to the sweat glands. The treatment requires injecting a series of small volumes of muscle relaxnt directly into the skin covering the anatomical area. Improvement is normally noticed within three weeks.

6) Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (chronic burning, tingling or shooting pains) is caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system.

Conditions that can trigger neuropathic pain include spinal chord injuries, surgical nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV and stroke.

Damaged nerve fibres send incorrect signals to other pain centres resulting in pain from normally non-painful stimuli. 

Neuropathic pain can be very difficult to treat, often responding poorly to standard pain treatments. However, local injections of muscle relaxant into the affected site, which inhibit nerve signals, can bring pain relief for up to 14 weeks.

7) Upper limb spasms (spasticity)

Upper limb spasms (known medically as upper limb spasticity) have various causes, such as multiple sclerosis, central nervous system tumours, stroke, and cerebral palsy.

A total of 11 clinical trials have demonstrated that injectable muscle relaxant is both safe and effective in reducing spasms, although there is not enough evidence to show it improves function of the limb.

Studies also suggest that these injections could be used as an alternative to surgery and splinting in the upper limbs of children with cerebral palsy.

Treatment at Ocean Clinic Marbella

Ocean Clinic’s Department for Non-Surgical Treatments is headed up by Dr. Gabriela Casabona.

If you would like to discuss potential treatment for a non-cosmetic/cosmetic issue, contact us to book a free consultation.

Implants or Uplift? Test Your Breasts at Home!

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your breasts but unsure what surgery you require? Ocean Clinic’s Dr. Michel Saiveau has developed a do-it-yourself test to help you identify where the problem lies.

‘Breast beauty analysis’ involves the assessment of three key elements: volume, position and shape. It’s vital to consider all three before optimal treatment can be identified.

The analysis starts with the ‘bikini test,’ which is easy to do at home and simply requires the patient to stand in front of the mirror wearing a bikini top. Here’s how it works:

·      If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts in a bikini then you lack volume and require a breast enlargement

·      If you are happy with the way your breasts look in a bikini but unhappy with their appearance when you’re topless then the shape and/or position of your breasts is the problem

To assess the position of the breasts on your chest, take a tape measure and measure from your collarbone down to the nipple areola complex (NAC). If the NAC is below a distance of 18 to 22 centimetres you have ptotic breasts, which have begun to droop and sag and repositioning is required.

If the NAC does not fall below the mid third of the arm you have a breast in a good position and do not require repositioning.

To analyse the shape of your breasts look at the projection from the side and the upper and lower pole fullness (i.e. the volume of breast above and below the nipple). Are you lacking volume in the upper pole? Are your beasts asymmetrical?

According to Dr. Saiveau, it’s easy to mistake sagging breasts as small breasts in need of enlargement, when actually an uplift is required.

He says: “We have to analyse the volume of the breasts in comparison with the body frame, and in interference with the shape of the breasts. This is a tricky problem. It can lead to unjust feelings of smallness and desire for a breast enlargement, but the bikini test can help patients to see the real problem.”

He adds that understanding exactly what you dislike about the appearance of your breasts is vital if you’re to achieve satisfaction through surgery.

“Patients have difficulty analysing their breasts and they therefore make mistakes in terms of surgical decisions. Their inability to express what they want can lead to unrealistic expectations and consequently they are not satisfied with their surgical results.”

Once you have carried out the ‘breast beauty analysing’ techniques you should have a better understanding of the surgery you require.

Unhappy in a bikini

If you are unhappy in a bikini and decide you require more volume there are three surgical solutions that exist:

·      Implants - where big volume is demanded breasts can be enlarged with implants

·      Fat transfer - for a small volume augmentation or to enhance upper pole fullness

·      Composite augmentation - using both implants and fat transfer in case of thin skin, where the implant might be otherwise visible

Read more about breast enlargement

Happy in a bikini

If you are happy with a bikini but unhappy without then you most likely have a good volume but there is a problem with the position of the breasts on the chest or a lack of symmetry. This can be treated as follows:

·      Mastoplexy – breast uplift can be used for treatment of ptotic (sagging) breasts or to help bring better symmetry where one breast is too large

·      Fat grafting - for asymmetry issues where one breast is too small, fat grafting can be used to even up the breasts

Read more about breast lift surgery

It’s important to note that implants should NOT be used to treat sagging breasts.

Says Dr. Saiveau: “If you use implants in this situation you simply transform a normal size ptotic breast into a big ptotic breast - it’s the worst! “

If you require extra volume in addition to uplifting, a mastoplexy can be combined with an enlargement.

Talking to your surgeon

Your surgeon won’t expect you to have in-depth surgical understanding and will be more than happy to guide your decision, but the aim of this process is to equip you with the knowledge to discuss your treatment pathway.

As Dr. Saiveau concludes: “You will be able to express yourself to your surgeon as an aware and educated patient. You will be able to explain what you want and the surgeon will respect your own interest and your own expectations.”

Dr. Saiveau is highly qualified plastic surgeon, registered to practice in Spain, the UK and France. To arrange a consultation please contact Ocean ClinicMarbella today.

Pioneering Natural Breast Enlargement Techniques Demonstrated at Ocean Clinic Marbella

Developments in cosmetic surgery mean that an entirely natural breast enlargement using a patient’s own fat is now possible.

 

Breast augmentation using fat being carried out during MIPSS 

Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye was among one of the first doctors to fully embrace the possibilities of fat grafting and has been using the technique to great acclaim for all manner of procedures, including breast augmentation.

Through his work, Dr. Kaye has attained impressive skill in the technique and, in order to share this with his peers, he invited more than 50 plastic surgeons from all over Europe and Africa to watch him carry out live surgery.

The demonstration was staged as part of the inaugural Marbella International Plastic Surgery Summer School, which was organised by Ocean Clinic from July 28-30.

Surgeons watch the operation taking place live

The surgeons watched three surgeries transmitted live from Ocean Clinic’s operating theatre into the conference venue Hotel Fuerte. These included a breast enlargement carried out purely with fat and a breast reduction.

One of these patients was Veronica Parker. Veronica, aged 51 and from the UK, had fat removed from her stomach by liposuction and grafted into her breasts. We asked her to share her experience:

Why did a breast enlargement using just your own fat appeal to you?

It appealed to me because it’s all-natural and you haven’t got any foreign bodies in your body. You haven’t got to go back and have anything checked or removed after so many years, like you do with implants. And you don’t get many complications. Also, it’s like having two procedures in one – a breast enlargement and lipo, which is great!

What was your experience like at the clinic?

The team at Ocean Clinic is very professional and friendly. They talk you through every single step and they make you feel really comfortable.

I attended a pre-op appointment two days before the surgery, where I filled out forms, took a medical questionnaire and had a blood test.

On the day of the surgery I was asked to arrive early and was shown to my room. It had a big television, air conditioning, and a private bathroom.

I was asked to put on a special gown, hat and socks and wait for the consultants. They came in and drew pictures all over me – they were working out where the fat was that they were going to extract from me.

Shortly after I was walked through to the operating theatre where I met Dr. Kaye and his mentor Dr. Ubeerreiter from Germany; the specialist who trained him in fat grafting and was going to be carrying out the operation with him.

Then the anaesthetist came in and explained what he was going to do, so I was put at ease every step of the way.

The surgery was carried out under ‘twilight sedation’ rather than full anaesthetic - did you feel anything?

No, nothing at all. I don’t remember anything. After two minutes of lying down on the bed I was asleep. I just remember waking up and I was in no pain, I just felt fine.

They wheeled me to my room to recuperate and then came round with some lunch, which they get from a local restaurant and is delicious.

I just had to wait for Dr. Kaye to come and see me a bit later in the day before I could be discharged. I thought I’d be in some pain but there was none at all and I felt fine to leave the clinic.

How has the recovery been?

Since then I’ve not been in any pain at all. There have been no complications, no discomfort and everything is fine.

I have to wear the compression belt around the abdomen for three weeks but you get used to it, and I’m allowed to take it off for showering.

The incisions they made are really tiny and after just five days they’ve nearly disappeared. It’s just the bruising to go down and then it’s back to normal.There was some swelling but that’s virtually all gone now too.

Other than having to wear the belt and sleep on my back, I’ve been able to continue with life completely as normal. I will return to the clinic in a couple of days for a final check and then I will be able to fly home.

What do you think of the results so far?

My tummy already looks great and I’ve finally got some boobs! They’re not massive, but I’m really pleased with them.

The doctors had explained to me that they wouldn’t be able to make them really large because my skin is too good quality and doesn’t stretch enough. And because I was extremely flat chested the breast pocket was small, so what they put in (260 cc each side) was all they could put in.

However, they have said I can return in the future to have more fat put in once the tissues have stretched out, should I want to.

Would you recommend this procedure to others?

Definitely, providing you’re a good candidate. If you’re a Skinny Minnie you can’t have it done; you have to have a bit of body fat on you.

It also depends on how big you want to go. If you don’t have enough fat or, like me, you don’t have the capacity in your breasts, then you’d need to look at combining fat grafting with implants.

But if you have realistic expectations about what’s achievable then I’d definitely tell you to go for it.

Want to know more about breast augmentation with fat transfer? Contact Ocean Clinic on (+34) 951 775 518.

Marbella, Spain – At the Centre of Facial Feminisation Surgery Advancement

People are often surprised to learn that one of the world’s leading Facial Feminisation Surgery (FFS) departments is based here in Marbella – and that Ocean Clinic is a part of it.

Our Oral & Maxillofacial specialist Dr. Luis Capitán is the director and founder of Facial Team Europe, while Ocean Clinic’s Medical Director Dr. Kaye is on board as a plastic surgeon for the unit.

Dr. Luis Capitán

Transgender women from across the world come here to Marbella to receive cutting-edge treatment that will bring their facial features closer in shape and size to typical female features.

This expertise in Facial Feminisation Surgery is one of the topics that will be covered at the Marbella International Plastic Surgery Summer School (MIPSS), taking place in Marbella this week. The three-day event has been organised by Ocean Clinic and is the first international plastic surgery meeting in the south of Spain.

Facial Team Europe’s Dr. Capitán will lecture peers from across Europe and Africa on FFS techniques and tendencies, while two specialists from Germany will make presentations on transgender genital surgery.

For anyone considering FFS (also called Facial Gender Affirmation Surgery) Facial Team Europe offers free intensive evaluations in Marbella. It’s a rigorous assessment process that includes:

·      One-hour consultation with FFS Maxillofacial surgeon

·      Opportunity to meet with different specialists (i.e. hair transplant specialist, plastic surgeon for rhinoplasty)

·      Tour of the hospital

·      Complete cranial 3D CT scans

·      Three-dimensional animated reproduction of your face (from September 2016)

·      Clinical photo session

·      Photo simulation of your results (available by request)

The service also includes a free round-trip airport taxi transfer, as well as help with travel plans, if required.

Prospective patients can also visit Jenny’s Nest, a shared-living safe-haven, where manager Jenny Bowman provides experienced and nurturing aftercare.

At the end of your stay, you will be provided with your personalised quote and diagnostic results to take home and think over. You can view video testimonials of patients from the UK, Australia, America and Canada on Facial Team Europe’s YouTube channel.

To request an appointment for a facial feminisation consultation email consultations@facialteam.eu with your full name and mobile phone number. Skype video-consultations are also available (Skype username: facial.team)