Complications of toxins and fillers in facial aesthetics.

Dermal filler and botulinum toxin injections are among the most performed non-invasive procedures for rejuvenation and contouring, internationally. Although most dermal fillers and approved botulinum toxins are well tolerated with a high safety profile, adverse events and/or complications can happen. Injection-related sequelae and side effects are usually rare, mild, transient, and self-limiting in nature. However, devastating and life-changing complications, such as intravascular occlusion, skin necrosis, permanent visual impairment, and stroke, have been reported. Risk reduction measures include an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, correct patient selection, correct identification of clinical indications, and, fundamentally, the importance of appropriate skill and training. In this paper, some of the complications are discussed and advice on how to minimise adverse events and complications from these injectables is provided.

Effectiveness of growth factor-induced therapy for skin rejuvenation: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Microneedling in combination with the use of growth factors can help with a range of indications, including skin rejuvenation. There is an increase in request for safe minimally invasive procedures with no-to-minimal downtime. This procedure offers regeneration and is becoming popular as part of the regenerative, minimally invasive era. AIMS: To examine the efficacy of a course of two sessions of growth factor-induced therapy using propriety preparation of AQ recovery serum. METHODS: Thirty women with various ethnic backgrounds (Chinese, Caucasian and Latino) with an average age of 38 years old participated and mild-moderate visual facial aging signs Two sessions with 2-week intervals were completed using a derma stamp (transdermal drug delivery method) and 2 mL of growth factor serum (AQ Skin Solution recovery serum-contain a mixture of contains a mix of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), granulocyte monocyte-colony-stimulating factor, and platelets-derived growth factor with patented technology for extraction and composition at each session. The procedures were carried out for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. Clinical assessment, VISIA photography, independent assessment of before and after photographs baseline and six weeks by two clinicians and two laypersons were carried out. The participants used FACE-Q questionnaire (outcome satisfaction) and scored changes in terms of their skin texture, radiance, pore size, wrinkles, pigmentation, tightness and overall skin appearance. RESULTS: Physician's global assessment revealed growth factor-induced therapy resulted in skin rejuvenation in all races with 95% confidence, and this increased to 98% confidence for Latinos and Caucasians within the six weeks. Participants' subjective rating revealed improvement of overall skin appearance with 95% confidence. Most noted improvements were in brightness, skin texture, and tightness. CONCLUSION: This study revealed improvement in overall skin appearance, brightness, skin texture, and tightness. The treatment is non-invasive, safe, with no or minimal downtime and resulted in high participant satisfaction.

Ideals of Facial Beauty Amongst the Chinese Population: Results from a Large National Survey.

Surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments are very popular throughout Asia and in particular in China. With the globalisation and immigration of Chinese people to other countries where many seek treatment from Western-trained doctors, it is important to understand the ideals of beauty amongst Chinese people so as to achieve optimal results. We conducted an online survey to understand the preference of Han Chinese laypersons for facial shape, profile (straight, convex, concave), jaw angle and shape, and shape of the chin, nose, and lips. In addition, the participants were asked about their educational level, geographic location, likelihood to have cosmetic surgery, preference for surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures and whether ''being beautiful'' would affect their daily life. A total of 1417 responses were collected from 599 male and 818 female participants, the majority of them who were 25-35 years old (58.93%). The responses showed that the majority of participants preferred an oval face shape, with a smoothly tapered jaw angle for both men and women, round and pointy chin for both genders, straight to concave nose profile and full lips with well-defined cupid's bow. Most responders indicated they were not willing to undergo cosmetic surgery; however, when given a choice between surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, 82.22% of the participants preferred non-surgical procedures. The majority of respondents (83%) thought that being beautiful has an effect on daily life and improves quality of life.Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Chinese facial physiognomy and modern day aesthetic practice.

BACKGROUND: Physiognomy is still practiced in China and is a factor influencing the cosmetic procedures offered by aesthetic practitioners, and treatments requested by patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of belief in physiognomy in China and its effect on cosmetic treatments requested and offered by aesthetic practitioners. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study consisted of a survey given to the general public (online) and Chinese aesthetic practitioners (face to face). RESULTS: A total of 1816 responses (1070 general public, 746 aesthetic practitioners) were collected. About 63% of the general population and 86.3% of the aesthetic practitioners stated they believed in facial physiognomy. A majority of the general population surveyed believed that facial appearance can determine various aspects of their life. However, the majority believed changing their facial features would not affect factors believed to be determined by physiognomy. A total of 73.9% of the aesthetic practitioners thought their belief in physiognomy affected the treatments they suggest and most believed belief in physiognomy influences treatments requested. CONCLUSION: The belief in facial physiognomy has a direct impact and needs to be taken into consideration during patient consultation.

Anatomical Variations in the Course of Labial Arteries: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Nonsurgical lip enhancement using dermal fillers is a very popular procedure. The trend for enlarged lips has been popularized by media and social media. The lips have considerable aesthetic and functional importance, in addition to having a complex anatomy. Serious complications, including vascular compromise or occlusion leading to cutaneous necrosis and blindness, can occur as the result of lip enhancement using dermal fillers. Therefore, aesthetic practitioners require an in-depth understanding of the anatomy and vasculature of the lips and the perioral area prior to providing lip enhancement using dermal fillers. OBJECTIVES: This literature review aimed to summarize existing data describing the origin, path, and depth of the superior and inferior labial arteries, and to help aesthetic practitioners in providing safer injections to the lips. METHODS: A literature search was carried out to summarize the available data describing the origin, path, and depth of the labial arteries. RESULTS: Analysis of the literature revealed that the labial arteries display great variability with respect to path (distribution), presence, and location. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the volume of lips through injections of dermal filler needs to be undertaken with caution, and awareness of the anatomical variation in artery location and path is a crucial concept that is essential when injecting the lips.

The Ideals of Facial Beauty Among Chinese Aesthetic Practitioners: Results from a Large National Survey.

As the demand for cosmetic procedures increases, the importance of patient-centred care in this field becomes more prominent. The aesthetic practitioners' ideals of beauty, in addition to their knowledge and perception of patients' ideals of beauty and expectations, are important during doctor-patient communication. These are important in strengthening practices of patient-centred communication and treatment. This study was conducted to investigate ideals of facial beauty among Chinese aesthetic practitioners. A questionnaire with simple sketches of facial features was given to aesthetic practitioners in Chinese cosmetology hospitals and clinics to assess aesthetic practitioners' ideals of beauty and their preferences for facial shapes, facial profile, nose and lip shape, jaw angle, and chin shape. A total of 596 surveys were completed. This survey revealed that Chinese aesthetic practitioners preferred a heart/inverted triangular facial shape with a reduced lower face height, a straight and small nose, as well as lips that are full medially and taper off laterally with well-defined borders and Cupid's bow. An obtuse jaw angle for women and a square well-defined jaw angle for men, and a round and pointy chin for both women and men were the most preferred. A majority (66.7%) of the respondents said they would have plastic surgery. However, if given the choice 82.9% indicated they would opt for non-surgical procedures. Finally, a clear majority (90.5%) believed that being beautiful would improve their daily life. The results were then compared to a similar previous study in which the same ideals of beauty were investigated among Chinese laypersons. This information will help the aesthetic professionals to understand their patient's requests and expectations better and therefore aid in offering and providing treatments that are in line. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Ideals of Facial Beauty Amongst the Chinese Population: Results from a Large National Survey.

Surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments are very popular throughout Asia and in particular in China. With the globalisation and immigration of Chinese people to other countries where many seek treatment from Western-trained doctors, it is important to understand the ideals of beauty amongst Chinese people so as to achieve optimal results. We conducted an online survey to understand the preference of Han Chinese laypersons for facial shape, profile (straight, convex, concave), jaw angle and shape, and shape of the chin, nose, and lips. In addition, the participants were asked about their educational level, geographic location, likelihood to have cosmetic surgery, preference for surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures and whether "being beautiful" would affect their daily life. A total of 1417 responses were collected from 599 male and 818 female participants, the majority of them who were 25-35 years old (58.93%). The responses showed that the majority of participants preferred an oval face shape, with a smoothly tapered jaw angle for both men and women, round and pointy chin for both genders, straight to concave nose profile and full lips with well-defined cupid's bow. Most responders indicated they were not willing to undergo cosmetic surgery; however, when given a choice between surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, 82.22% of the participants preferred non-surgical procedures. The majority of respondents (83%) thought that being beautiful has an effect on daily life and improves quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Botulinum neurotoxin formulations: overcoming the confusion.

Botulinum toxin A is produced by anaerobic spore-forming bacteria and is used for various therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Botulinum toxin A injections are the most popular nonsurgical procedure worldwide. Despite an increased demand for botulinum toxin A injections, the clinical pharmacology and differences in formulation of commonly available products are poorly understood. The various products available in the market are unique and vary in terms of units, chemical properties, biological activities, and weight, and are therefore not interchangeable. For safe clinical practice and to achieve optimal results, the practitioners need to understand the clinical issues of potency, conversion ratio, and safety issues (toxin spread and immunogenicity). In this paper, the basic clinical pharmacology of botulinum toxin A and differences between onabotulinum toxin A, abobotulinum toxin A, and incobotulinum toxin A are discussed.