Are you tired of dealing with bothersome jowls? Do you find yourself bothered by the appearance of “Mick Jagger” smile lines or puppet lines that make you look sad or angry?
Luckily, there is a solution that doesn’t involve adding bulk to your face. Instead, it focuses on making your skin thicker and healthier.
Let’s delve into the issue at hand. The areas of the face that experience significant movement, such as around the mouth and lips, the sides of the lower face, and around the eyes, go through a lot of wear and tear. Over time, these lines, initially known as “dynamic folds or rhytids” because they are related to facial movement, can become noticeable even when your face is at rest [static rhytids].
Treating these folds has been a challenge because they are always in motion when you make facial expressions. In the past, excessive filler was used in the deeper layers of the skin in an attempt to fill the space in front of the fold. However, this approach proved ineffective and often left individuals looking overfilled.
After careful consideration and a deep understanding of the problem and the physics of filler administration, dermatologist Tom van Eijk developed a technique that utilizes filler as a skin-strengthening agent rather than a traditional filler. The goal is to achieve optimal correction for lines that deepen with facial movements.
This groundbreaking technique is known as the “Fern Pattern Technique” due to its resemblance to a fern’s structure once the filler is placed. Picture the fold as the stem, and the filler as the leafy fronds. We use very small amounts of product strategically inserted into the skin.
I have personally tested various dermal fillers with this technique to assess their performance. While more flexible fillers have shown positive results, subtle differences have emerged. Hence, I choose a filler based on the patient’s skin thickness and moisture content.
To summarize, the filler serves as a skin-strengthening agent rather than a traditional “filler.” So, if you’re apprehensive about fillers or feel unprepared for them, it’s important to understand that our goals differ. Think of it as a skin treatment.
Following the initial treatment, we will reassess the treated area after 8-12 weeks to determine if additional treatment is necessary.
Since the treatment areas are highly dynamic, it is expected that treatment will need to be repeated annually. Rest assured, the side effects are minimal and include mild discomfort during and after the treatment, as well as possible bruising at the injection site. Bruising duration varies from person to person but typically resolves within 3-7 days.
