Cosmetic procedures are no pain, more gain

New techniques are taking the sting out of facial rejuvenation

You’d think one of the first questions patients inquiring about cosmetic rejuvenation procedures would pertain to the end result such as, what will they look like?

But that’s not so, says Dr. Rohan Bissoondath, medical director at Calgary’s Preventous Collaborative Health Centre.

“The first thing they ask is ‘does it hurt? How much will it hurt?’ It’s a real concern for people,” says Bissoondath.

This is one of the reasons why doctors are incorporating newer techniques to reduce the pain and side effects of cosmetic rejuvenation practices such as facial fillers.

Facial fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are used to replace volume where it has been lost. These areas are usually around the smile lines, lips and eyes, which are also the most sensitive areas of the face.

To make the procedure as painless and with the least amount of side-effects as possible, doctors are now utilizing a new injection technique that includes a dose of lidocaine (or freezing) within the filler or product itself.

“It’s become more of a standard,” says Dr. Bissoondath. “The use of fillers is really evolving. And one of the reasons is because people are hesitant to get the procedure done because of the pain factor. The goal is to make it as painless as possible.”

When a patient is injected with the lidocaine-laced Juvederm (so far in Canada, only Juvederm is sold with lidocaine as one product although it’s predicted Restylane will come out with its own product within the next year), the part of the face being worked on becomes numb during the procedure. This has replaced the old method of conducting a full-fledged dental block that leaves patients numb from their noses down to their chins.

“Getting dental freezing is uncomfortable,” says Dr. Bissoondath. “And it has its drawbacks. You get swelling in areas you want to inject, which makes symmetry a little more challenging. One of the big benefits of the lidocaine product is the freezing is localized to just the area that’s being injected as opposed to the lower half of the face.”

Dr. Bissoondath says the lidocaine is not used during Botox procedures because the needle is a lot smaller and doesn’t go in as deep as with facial fillers.

“No matter how anxious they are, people are able to tolerate Botox,” says Dr. Bissoondath. “I don’t even use ice. It really is the smallest of pinches and is barely significant from a pain point of view.”

Another way people are opting for painless cosmetic rejuvenation is through acupuncture.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, also known as Cosmetic Acupuncture, is a painless, non-surgical procedure that is effective in brightening and tightening the skin. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, hair-thin acupuncture needles are inserted in specific locations on the face, ears, neck, hands and feet. The disposable needles are placed in energy channels (or meridians) that either begin or end on the face, or that work to modify the energy flow (or the Qi) of a person’s body. Scientifically, acupuncture brings blood and oxygen to the face toning muscles and producing collagen.

“It stimulates collagen and fills in lines,” says Camille Nghiem-Phu, naturopathic doctor at Toronto’s Path to Wellness Clinic. “It reduces the bags under your eyes as well as dark circles. It can reduce the appearance of droopy eyelids and leave the face looking glowing and brighter.”

And because the procedure is conducted with such small needles that are injected on a superficial level, pain and potential side-effects are minimal.

“The needles are coated with silicone and slide in like butter,” says Nghiem-Phu. “It feels like a very minor bug bite and then nothing at all. We also apply a skin cleanser beforehand that contains a mild anesthetic to minimize any discomfort.”

The side effects of facial rejuvenation acupuncture are also minimal since there is no bruising or swelling that often happens with traditional cosmetic procedures such as Botox or fillers.

“There’s no leftover bruising or holes,” says Nghiem-Phu. “In fact, a lot of people get it done before they head out for a special occasion so their complexion looks bright and glowing.”

Pamela Villadar, 40, is one of those people.

The Toronto-based executive assistant started going for facial rejuvenation acupuncture just this summer and says the results are painless and almost immediate.

“It’s actually quite relaxing,” says Villadar. “It’s not painful at all. It feels like a little prick and that’s it. There’s no pain. People get scared when they see needles because they associate it with getting shots, but it nowhere feels like that.”

Villadar opted for facial rejuvenation acupuncture when she didn’t like what she was seeing in the mirror.

“I had bags under my eyes, droopy eyelids and noticeable frown lines,” she says. “I wanted a more radiant look.”

Now, after six treatments, Villadar says she feels like a new woman.

“People tell me I look healthier and more refreshed. I feel relaxed and not as conscious about my looks. I’m just happier. I would not go any other way than this.”

By Rachel Naud, For Canwest News Service, January 5, 2010