GLYCOLIC ACID OR HYALURONIC ACID ~ WHICH IS BETTER FOR ANTI-AGING?

 GLYCOLIC ACID OR HYALURONIC ACID ~ WHICH IS BETTER FOR ANTI-AGING?

Just because they share the word ‘acid’ in the name does not mean that they do the same thing - the ingredients and effects of each are actually quite different. Which one should you use for anti-agile purposes? Let’s look in more detail at hyaluronic and glycolic acid…

What is Glycolic acid? 

Glycolic acid (read in more detail in our previous blog for more information - here) is derived from sugar cane and is one of the most widely used AHAs in skin care products, it has the smallest molecules of all AHAs which allows for optimal exfoliation and absorption into the skin. Glycolic acid works by increasing the speed at which our cells rejuvenate or replace themselves. It works by dissolving the ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together - meaning that by using glycolic acid we can shed our dead skin cells faster than we would do so alone.

What is Hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a clear, sugar-based substance which is naturally found in our bodies - it is highly concentrated in our eye fluids, joints, and skin. It works by binding to water and helping to retain moisture (it can hold up to 1,000 times it weight in water), promote and protect collagen and provide flexibility and lubrication to said areas of the body. It keeps our skin looking plump and hydrated, as well as function at its best. When our natural store of hyaluronic acid begins to deplete naturally with age, we start to lose firmness and the skin becomes less able to retain moisture.

How do Hyaluronic acid products work? 

To reap the benefits of hyaluronic acid there are different ways to use the products on the market. To achieve long lasting and effective results, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are injected into  various layers of the skin. Otherwise, products can be applied topically as drops, moisturisers or creams. However, unless the product is effective, if it is not able to be absorbed by the skin, it will simply sit on top of the skin and provide a very limited and temporary amount of hydration. So the product must be of a certain standard and molecular structure in order to have the desired effect. The desired effect being that it stimulates collagen production, increases moisture levels, and strengthens the skin barrier - it should serve to make the skin stronger, firmer, and deeply hydrated on a cellular level.

How do Glycolic acid products work? 

Glycolic Acid can help our skin by hydrating it, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, improving our skin tone and texture, reducing the effects of sun damage, brighten the skin, reducing pre size, preventing ingrowing hairs, shed dead skin cells quickly, clear out pores which can help with spots and acne. 

Contrary to some reports, within a skin care ointment or cream, Glycolic Acid will not remove scars, it can have an effect on pigmentation  (such as slightly lightening a darkened patch of wounded skin), and improve a raised or pitted scar but will not remove them completely. 

There are plenty of over the counter options when it comes to choosing your product containing glycolic acid, generally these will come in varying strengths up to 10%. There are also stronger versions (up to 30%) which are present in a light chemical peel, though these are not advisable at home but by a professional practitioner or aesthetician. A dermatologist can administer an even stronger chemical peel including glycolic acid of up to 70% strength. 

The format in which you choose to apply glycolic acid to the skin completely depends on your personal skin type and needs. You may be content with an over the counter product containing a light percentage of glycolic acid to brighten your skin and give you a healthy glow, to give a smoother skin texture, prevent breakouts and even reduce fine lines. Other skin types may require a more professional approach and a stronger treatment. 

So which one do I choose for anti-aging purposes? Hyaluronic acid or glycolic acid?

In a nutshell, use both! Glycolic acid can be harsh on some skin types and, depending on the strength, your skin can take some time to adapt to using it so gradually build up the use of it over time. Beginning at 2/3 times a week and moving up to 4/5 if there is no sign of irritation, for example. Slowly increase over time until you can use it daily. If at any moment the skin becomes irritated then stop for a rest and begin the process again after a week or so at a lesser level. Glycolic acid works as an exfoliant and serves to improve skin tone and texture - this can mean that fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage / spots, etc can be reduced or improved over time. Hyaluronic acid works as a great source of hydration for the skin and promote collagen while reserving moisture. Both naturally occurring ingredients work well as individual skin treatments yet the two together can achieve smoother, healthier, more radiant looking skin. 

How to use both Glycolic acid and Hyaluronic acid together…

Due to the two products not being in competition with one another for their beneficial properties, they compliment each other really well when used in a personal skin care routine. The glycolic acid is your exfoliator revealing that radiance that has been hiding under the dead skin cells, and the hyaluronic acid is your day cream, gel, serum or mask, which locks in all that necessary moisture to keep your skin plump and hydrated. Rinse your face with water after using any glycolic acid product before moisturising with a hyaluronic acid based product.

Bottom line - use both! 

To speak to our skin care specialists and learn what is best for your skin type, please contact Ocean Clinic today. 

Combining Plastic Surgery with Non Surgical Treatments for best results - as recommended by Ocean Clinic, Marbella

 

Combining Plastic Surgery with Non Surgical Treatments for best results

A simple mistake when contemplating cosmetic treatments is to separate the worlds of plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures. Though there are some mighty differences between the two when it comes to recovery time, cost, and invasiveness, (as well as results) the two are not exclusive; in fact for optimal results, often the best option is to combine the two. 

This synergy is a highly effective method to achieve the desired overall outcome of many types of treatments to various areas of the body, especially in the field of anti-aging. These combinations also seemingly produce the most natural looking results due to the cumulation of each side of the surgical fence. Having plastic surgery can produce certain outcomes, as does nonsurgical treatment, however the two together can take the result that one step further. 

Dr. Kai Kaye, plastic surgeon, and Dra. Gabriela Casabona, dermatologist & head of aesthetics, both from Ocean Clinic, Marbella, suggest that the concept is to achieve a holistic regeneration approach, some layers can be treated surgically and others non-surgically; combining the two creates better results.  The following are some examples of combination treatments, as per their recommendation, which offer great synergy and impressive results…

Upper Blepharoplasty (surgical) combined with cosmetic injectables and fillers. Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which removes excess skin from the upper eyelid. When eyelids age or become ‘heavy’ the skin can start to fold and show, even hang over the eye and give an unwanted/uncomfortable appearance. Combining this procedure with cosmetic injections to tighten the muscles around the brow to create a lifting effect, as well as fillers to volumize the forehead and temples, gives an all round lift to the eye region and creates a natural, youthful, lighter look. 

 Co2 laser / peeling with Blepharoplasty. Again blepharoplasty can be combined with a non surgical treatment to create optimal results. Upper and lower blepharoplasty (lower being the use of various surgical treatments of the lower eyelid / eye-bag area), is often carried out alongside a Co2 laser treatment which serves to resurface, or remodel the skin. Laser skin resurfacing, also known as laser peeling, is a safe and effective method for improving the skin’s appearance. The laser reduces the appearance of wrinkles and any other minor skin issues; liver spots, sun damage, superficial scarring, etc.  The blepharoplasty procedure removes any excess skin, muscle or fat, tightening and rejuvenating the eye area whilst the laser fine tunes the skin around the eyelid areas, a perfect match to create a youthful, healthy, appearance with no excess skin or eye bags; a perfect match. 

Lower Blepharoplasty with Fillers to the Mid-face and Tear Trough. This time we are focussing on the lower eyelids where many people suffer with eyebags, dark circles, hollowing under the eyes, etc. Once the lower lids are corrected surgically via a lower blepharoplasty procedure, the fillers in the mid face and tear trough serve to complete a balance of volume and lift. This combination creates smooth, tightened and rejuvenated skin across the whole area.

Liposuction with radiofrequency skin tightening. As the liposuction procedure serves to remove excess unwanted fat from problem areas, the radiofrequency treatment helps to target deep fat tissue at a safe temperature which stimulates the natural elimination of fat cells. The two combined create optimal body contouring results. Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat deposits via a cannula using various kinds of suction techniques. Ocean Clinic offers various types of liposuction, the favorite often being the water-jet assisted version for minimal bruising.  

Jawline Mini Lift with Ulthera (for younger patients). Whilst the majority of people having face or neck lifts is generally associated with an older age group, there is a growing number of patients in their younger years who are opting for surgery. Due to their cases being less ‘severe’ than with older generations, people in their forties, for example, often have more subtle procedures which help to prevent and reduce their aging process rather than going through a major transformation at a later date. 

A mini lift at the jawline is a good example of this, as the skin begins to loosen and sag in this area it is the beginning of our aging process which over time worsens. To operate at an earlier age preserves those youthful looks, the surgery is far less intense, plus the results are more natural.

This procedure  is a combination treatment where, surgically, only the jowling of the mandíbule (skin excess forming jowls) is addressed, with a small incision around the inferior base of the ear/earlobe, while all other laxity in the neck or the mid face is addressed with High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU). The HIFU treatment we use at Ocean Clinic is an Ulthera device, which achieves neocollagenesis in all levels and layers of the skin and serves to lift and tighten alongside the surgery itself to achieve the most natural, youthful and long lasting look. The Ulthera device is the only one that has ultrasound technology which allows us to actually see which layers we are treating, making the procedure more effective. 

Microneedling with Facelift - Modern Facelift and neck lift procedures are the cornerstone of facial rejuvenation. The techniques have evolved over the last 50 years and recently saw the integration of novel techniques like facial fat grafting and skin resurfacing techniques (Microneedling or Peeling) that contribute towards more natural,  more complete results. 

Microneedling is a non-surgical skin treatment involving the insertion of fine needles into the skin to improve collagen production in order to regenerate our skin and maintain a more smooth, even tone as well as youthful appearance. When used in combination with a facelift the results are considered  more natural and longer lasting as the skin continues to create collagen over time. It can also be used in association with nano-fat (full of stem cells, stromal vascular fraction cells, growth factors) and other active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C; exosomes that can boost the needle effect promoting a more long lasting stimulation of collagen. 

Bottom Line - there are many layers to our physical anatomy as there are to our wants and desires, when it comes to physical improvements this must be recognised, analyzed and many times a multi-faceted combination of treatments realized to achieve the optimum results. Therefore plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments are quite often “better together”. 

Contact Ocean Clinic, Marbella to discuss your next steps. 

What is HEAT? - Find out more on the latest concept in Aesthetic ~ Cosmetic treatments

What is HEAT? - the latest concept in aesthetic, cosmetic treatments… examples on how it is applied at Ocean Clinic, Marbella by Dr. Gabriela Casabona.  

‘HEAT’ is a concept created to make the best choices for an individual patient, using the least amount of product to achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time - thus making the treatments as highly effective as possible. 

Heat stands for 'Highly Effective Aesthetic Treatment', which is of course always the aim - however we administer a treatment, whatever that treatment is, we want the results to be the most effective possible. 

“Throughout my career I have learnt to recognize that many products can be delivered using the same device; a cannula to administer a filler for example, but if you do not study and understand the behaviour of each product inside the body, how it reacts, where it is positioned, the layer at which you administer it, etc. you can end up using much more product, achieve the same results maybe, but with a far less effective outcome. So HEAT, for me, means that I know exactly where my target is, how my product will behave once inside the treatment area, and how to get the best use of the product using the least amount possible within the least amount of time possible (least number of sessions, least amount of product administered and achieve the best results).” Says Dr Gabriela Casabona, head of aesthetic department, Ocean Clinic, Marbella. 

HEAT and Injectable fillers ~ To illustrate how to apply the HEAT concept within her practice, Gabriela explained that if, for example, she was setting out to achieve projection of the zygoma area (cheekbone area) using fillers, she would opt for injecting a bolus - the cannula is placed at a deeper layer and kept still while the filler is administered, to achieve a static ‘bolus’ of product which keeps its shape and position - “if I want to save product and create the optimum effect, I need to locate the exact layer and use the right amount of product to create a perfect bolus and achieve the right amount of projection. If I were to use retrograde technique (instead of a bolus) - this is where filler is injected in traces, small amounts over an area as the cannula moves - the same amount of projection would not be achievable using the same amount of product, it would need much more”, she explains.    HEAT and biostimulators ~ When it comes to biostimulators, another example of applying the HEAT concept is that some biostimulators accumulate in an area and create volume - but if we want a rejuvenation/regeneration effect in the tissue, we need the product to spread, we don’t want an accumulation, we want to rejuvenate the whole area. To know which product to select for which area, and how to apply it most effectively is vital to the HEAT concept.   HEAT and Ultherapy ~ If a patient was undergoing Ultherapy to achieve a non-invasive facelift, the practitioner would analyze and target the SMAS (Sub-Muscular Aponeurotic System) - a thin layer of strong connective tissue on the face. The SMAS is vital in anti-aging medicine as it is probably the most important support structure of the face. It surrounds and connects to both deeper tissue and the muscles that are responsible for our facial expressions. "I have to target the whole fascia system, the SMAS, and the skin. If I don’t use an ultrasound to locate the SMAS I will assume that a patient’s will lie at around 4.5mm, if she actually had her SMAS located at 3mm, for example, then I would have gone in too deep, administered the energy at a level where the result would not be as effective as at the correct level. When I look at the result, it won't be as good as if I had gone to the correct target to achieve lifting", says Gabriela. HEAT and Neuromodulators ~ When we inject neuromodulators there are two main decisions: where we inject to be most effective and how much product to apply. For best longevity my neuromoduator needs to be injected into the muscle. At Ocean Clinic we apply the HEAT concept, mapping our patients with USG. This means we can define precisely where the muscle is and how deep to inject - this aids in choosing the right needle and points at which to inject. This gives a better effect with less risk of heavy forehead or misplacements of points with the need for touch ups.  For more information on our HEAT concept, aesthetic and cosmetic treatments, please contact Ocean Clinic, Marbella today.  ReplyReply allForward

Study shows temporal fillers can lift & volumize other regions of the face...

Full-face effects of temporal volumizing and lifting techniques

Soft tissue filler injections are constantly on the rise in popularity due to their effectiveness in alleviating the signs of facial aging. Every patient requires a tailor-made treatment as needs, severity, and expectations all vary considerably from person to person. 

Generally, the aim of an injectable filler treatment is to increase the volume of a particular area of the face. It is not often that the effects of this injection on the rest of the face is recognised or realized. This can be due to limited knowledge of how particular regions of the face can affect others, or because usually it is applied to the target area and so this is what is under assessment. 

A separate, recent study by Gabriela Casabona and colleagues revealed the effects of injecting filler into regions of the face in a specific order, the order used reduced the amount of filler required in subsequent areas as well as improving the overall result. Another study found that injecting particular areas of the temple region had a lifting effect in the mid and lower face, plus the jawline. 

The following study was carried out to investigate the facial volumizing and lifting effects of fillers applied to the temporal region.

Typically when fillers are applied to the face the outcome is more or less predictable, the site where the fillers are injected becomes fuller - more voluminous. However, recently, new techniques have emerged for targeting the temporal region (area of and surrounding the temples) which have been noted to have aesthetic outcomes beyond the temple itself. 

This study was designed to quantify, or measure, just how much effect the three different temporal injection techniques (using hyaluronic acid-based soft tissue filler) had across the entire face. 

Fourteen cauacasian patients’ (between the ages of 39-62) post-filler results were analyzed and reviewed to note the effects of the techniques used; injections were applied to three different layers of the skin (supraperiosteal, interfascial* and subdermal) in the temporal region and the assessment was given in terms of increase in the temple volume, the visibility of the temporal crest, the visibility of the lateral orbital rim, the eyebrow positioning, the severity of the lateral canthal lines (crow’s feet), the volume of the mid-face, and the contour of the jawline.

Technique (a) - supraperiosteal needle injection of the anterior temple, (b) - interfascial cannula injection of the anterior temple, and (c) - subdermal cannula injection of the posterior superior temple. 

The results showed that the supraperiosteal injection technique had the greatest influence on improving the temporal volume (25.0%), the temporal crest (33.3%), and the lateral orbital rim visibility (31.0%) scales but had no effects in other facial regions. So the supraperiosteal injection technique is simply localized to the injection site. The interfascial injection technique revealed good effects on improving temporal hollowing (23.3%) but had an even greater effect on the crow's feet (26.8%) and on the position (lifting) of the eyebrow (33.3%). The subdermal injection technique had its greatest effects in the lower face by improving the contour of the jawline (26.8%) as well as improving the lower cheek fullness scale (14.3%). 

To achieve the results from the study there were eight ‘scores’ given when reviewing the patients’ records. Images from various angles were used to retrieve the scores. Before, directly after, and four weeks after the treatments the same angled photographs were taken of each patient and evaluated by the physician treating the patients, the patients themselves, and two experienced, medical independent observers. The treatment consisted of the three different injection techniques performed during one treatment session, using the same sequence of injections and the same amount of the same filler. 

The results of this retrospective image analysis confirmed the exceptional role of temporal soft tissue filler injections for aesthetic facial treatments.  The primary goal of the treatment was in fact correction of the temporal region, following this anatomic regions in close proximity to the temple were assessed, including the temporal crest and the lateral orbital rim (closer to the eye). The forehead, the periorbital region (around the eyes), and the midface were then assessed for any improvement. This is where the brow position, crow’s feet, and lower cheek fullness scales were evaluated. Following this the jawline contour was evaluated. All the scores noted from these anatomical assessments contributed to the analysis of the local, regional and panfacial influence (effect) the three techniques had. 

Assessment scores were evaluated on images by the treating physician and by an independent observer whereas the aesthetic improvement 4 weeks after the last treatment was assessed by the treated patient and by two independent observers based on retrospective image analysis.

The results showed that the supraperiosteal injection technique had the greatest influence on improving temporal volume, the temporal crest and the lateral orbital rim when compared to the other techniques. This is most likely due to the fact that the product is administered deeper into the temporal fascia in this treatment. 

When analyzing the inter fascia injection technique, this was found to improve temporal hollowing but had a greater impact on the crow’s feet, and an even bigger effect on the eyebrow positioning. It also had a significant effect on the midface as well as the temporal crest visibility but no change in the lateral orbital rim. It just shows how important the anatomical understanding of the face is when applying injections, the location of the product vastly affects the response by the rest of the face. For example, the inter fascial technique is applied superficially to the deep temporal fascia which can therefore influence the position or tension of the overlying fascia…this fascia is also linked to muscle which will be affected by the application of the soft tissue filler. Knowing such effects is the science and knowledge being acquired by such studies. These new findings can deliver far greater precision, accuracy and more specific results whilst using less product. 

The subdermal product placement in the superior and posterior temple had its greatest effect in the lower face by improving the contour of the jawline, followed by the lateral midface where the lower cheek fullness scale was improved. Slight influences were detected in all of the other scores except in the visibility of the lateral orbital rim. This evaluation reveals that the sub-dermal injection technique can also induce aesthetic effects beyond the temple and into the lower face. 

From an anatomic perspective, this is conceivable as the product is injected superficial to the superficial temporal fascia and into the subdermal fatty layer with its respective superficial in-ferior temporal fat compartment..

 

From these results the study group concluded that in future, injection algorithms could potentially combine the three injection techniques to provide a multi-layered approach, tailored to accommodate the individual patient’s aesthetic requirements. 

*Patient data were eligible for review if the following criteria were fulfilled: Treatment for bilateral aesthetic temporal volume loss with minimally invasive procedures, no additional facial soft tissue or neuromodulator treatment during the evaluation period, complete post treatment assessment scores, and evaluation of the aesthetic outcome by independent (the non-injecting) physicians and the patient themselves after the treatment. This study (retrospective data analysis) was conducted in accordance with regional laws (Brazil) and good clinical practice. Patients unwilling to provide access to their medical records were not included in this analysis

*The fascia is the overlying tissue over a muscle or bone. 

*All the studies mentioned above provided plausible evidence that the lateral face and especially the temporal region have the potential to influence the middle and the lower face if injected with hyaluronic acid–based soft tissue fillers. 

For more information on our aesthetic department or for a consultation please contact us at Ocean Clinic Marbella.

Injectables, do different generations want different things?

Generational Differences in Aesthetics

Generations are collections of people living at the same time or an average time span (approx 20-30 years) during which people are born, grow to adulthood and have children of their own. There are varying differences and similarities between generations and this is something that must be considered when treating a patient. 

The generation conversation; what are each of these sets of humans like? What do they like? What do they want from life? How do they respond to different things within culture and lifestyle? How does each generation differ? If a patient walks in to our clinic this is all relevant in our assessment into their expectation and requirements. 

	Born	Ages
Gen Z	1997 – 2012	10 – 25
Millennials	1981 – 1996	26 – 41
Gen X	1965 – 1980	42 – 57
Boomers II	1955 – 1964	58 – 67

Millennials are the dominant generation within today’s workforce. For them technology is part of life, they are more open to change, they are full of information and confidence. They’re diverse, and their tendencies lean towards branded goods such as Nike or Apple for example. They eat out, they’re on Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok. They’re influencers but they’re everyday people that create a following of thousands of other every day people. These kind of Millennials are more influential to other’s spending behaviour than celebrities are due to the fact that they’re accessible. You can message a millennial on social media and they will get back to you. A celebrity will not. 

Boomers are the type of people who expect to be told what is the right thing to do, not go out and invent that for themselves. They will believe in what they are told and comply. Whereas Generation X will prefer to make their own choices, they want to be given options. They prefer to be educated on something and then make their decision. They are busy looking after their parents, children and themselves. They want information and in the quickest form possible. If they had surgery for example, they would want clear instruction on what to do next. 

There are many notable differences and similarities between generations seeking or considering aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. The attitude they have towards treatments, their age at the time of the chosen procedure, the expectations they have for the outcome, their belief in the procedures, as well as the reasons behind their choices. Another big factor for generational choices are differences in lifestyle, online presence, tendencies and association, social media activity, spending habits, accessibility. 

One study carried out recently based on varied age groups ranging from 18-29 (represents Gen Z) 30-44 (represents Milennials), 45-59 (represents Gen X), 60+ (represents second generation Boomers) looked at their viewpoint and position on aesthetics such as injectables, dermal fillers, etc. It showed that younger generations take less time in making the decision to go ahead with treatments, whereas older people, (generally over 60s) took much more time to deliberate. Also when it came to cosmetic injections (muscle relaxants, neuromodulators) the study showed that the younger groups were having the treatment far more than the older ones - in fact the over 60s were the group using the least. With fillers the gap was even bigger, with very few 45 to over 60 year olds having them compared to the younger groups. The over 60s also seemed to be the least concerned about their appearance - the rest of the groups, we can assume, being more focussed on their looks, and those in their later years more accustomed to, and accepting of, the aging process. 

Dr. Gabriela Casabona from Ocean Clinic Marbella discovered that, after studying over 1,500 people through three generations, all the generations had some things in common when it come to aesthetic, cosmetic treatments. All wanted natural results.  All generations wanted to maintain their own looks, they didn’t want to be altered so they look too different or unlike their true selves. Out of the study group she found that all participants were aware and knowledgeable of the procedures, they were all willing to participate, and they were all in the know and believe in their efficacy, but all had something else in common; they were afraid. 

Not of the procedures themselves but the doctor. The people who carry out that procedure, the ‘what-ifs’. This is the reason that it is vital that a doctor be approachable, that hey have empathy, they show that they truly understand their patient’s needs. This is so important because that patient is afraid that they will not understand what they mean, what they are really asking for, what they really want out of this situation, and being unable to communicate this properly. People are afraid of the wrong outcome no matter what generation they come from. All people within the study group preferred the natural beauty they already own to be enhanced so the important thing for the doctor is the step-by-step approach to each individual, independent of their generation. 

So, all generations are very different, yet all have their similarities when it comes down to opting for aesthetic treatments. 

For more information on our aesthetic department and full range of services visit us at Ocean Clinic Marbella or contact us today.  

What are vein viewers, and why are they the next big tech for facial injections?

Using vein-viewer technology to reduce bruising during facial injections.

One of the most alluring sides of cosmetic facial rejuvenation is that there is minimal risk, minimal downtime (practically none in fact), the procedures are minimally invasive and produce great results, fast. For these reasons there is a continual surge in demand for treatments such as dermal fillers, and cosmetic injections. However, even the most experienced practitioners can sometimes cause bruising after applying such injectables which can negate that feeling of immediate recovery and perhaps result in a less satisfied customer. Bruising during facial injections is commonplace and relates directly to the injection itself rather than the substance being injected. When vessels are ruptured this causes bruising. It is the administering of the treatments that makes this happen and so dermal filler injections and neuromodulator injections can be challenging for doctors due to the number of facial arteries. Why use a vein viewer? The multiple, complex anatomy of the face makes it hard to know exactly where an artery its branches are situated by eye alone. It is important to avoid arteries, or their branches, as if they become blocked this can obstruct the oxygenated blood supply to the skin and cause potential harm. If there is bruising during such treatments it can also reduce the effectivity of the procedure itself. Treating the nasolabial folds, for example, is one of the higher risk areas of the face due to the direct path to the eye from the injection site. To outline the hidden veins and arteries massively increases the safety of applying dermal fillers to this area. To help prevent this occurring there are various tools on the market which can illuminate the vein and artery networks beneath the skin in the area that will be treated. These machines help to reduce bruising during injections such as cosmetic fillers or muscle relaxants. How does a vein viewer work? The patient’s skin is used as a screen of sorts. The machine displays an LED light over the section of the skin being treated, which highlights the veins under the skin - this provides a map in order to avoid the veins and therefore limit bruising. The light, absorbed by the haemoglobin and reflected by surrounding tissue, allows the practitioner to inject without any blood spots appearing. Avoiding the veins themselves means avoiding any blood being released during procedures such as injecting muscle relaxants or neuromodulators. There are no heat or radiation issues so the machinery is deemed very safe. The vein viewer is also considered, by doctors, to be a good tool to make your plan for a breast augmentation, to analyse each patient individually and know their specific design. It significantly increases safety and reduces haematoma. It is also thought to be good for fat transfer procedures. Are there different types of vein viewers? There are many different types of vein viewing technology on the market, each designed with a specific role or varying illumination area. Some pinpoint smaller more intricate areas of the body, others can map out a larger section of the skin. Some have stands so that the doctor can be hands free whilst using the machine. The practitioner/surgeon/doctor/dermatologist will have elected the appropriate machinery for the treatment in question designed to enhance safety and limit bruising or skin damage. Bottom line… In conclusion a vein locater can help to improve the safety of dermal filler injections as well as other cosmetic injections and aid in the prevention of bruising by giving visual access to veins which otherwise cannot be seen with the naked eye. Vein illumination will likely become standard practice for minimally invasive rejuvenation