Image Matters

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, physician assistants and other aesthetic experts discuss what’s trending in the field, tips for the best injectable experience and why anti-aging efforts are starting younger and younger.

What’s In: Regenerative Aesthetics 

As individuals continue to desire a more youthful appearance with minimally invasive treatments,‘regenerative aesthetics’ provides an optimal solution. This term encompasses a variety of nonsurgical treatments that promote a natural-looking appearance while using new technologies to maximize the body’s own healing process. 

Cristie Lehr-Hawkins, M.D., with Fig Medical Spa in Tulsa, says patients are wanting a natural look that enhances their existing features. 

“What’s trending is a more integrative approach, utilizing biostimulators with traditional lasers and other aesthetic treatments,” she says. “The result is having customized treatments work together to benefit the skin and achieve natural, long-lasting beauty. A newer aesthetic treatment we’re using is Cellenis DermaFiller. This technology uses the patient’s own plasma to help restore volume and achieve a more youthful appearance.”

She also sees a more proactive approach to aesthetics. 

“The younger generation is wanting to preserve their youthful appearance by utilizing a combination of treatments such as neuromodulators and lasers with subtle dermal fillers and integrative skin care,” she says.

Kasey L. Swayden, PA-C, of Radiance Medical Aesthetics of Oklahoma in OKC, says regenerative aesthetics is rapidly expanding, and the future lies in exosome therapy, peptides, laser and light devices, and collagen stimulating injectables. 

“When it comes to beauty and aesthetics, the natural approach is taking center stage,” she says. “Exosomes are at the forefront of the trend. Exosomes carry messages between cells and promote healing, skin health, collagen stimulation and hair growth. At Radiance, we use [plated] exosomes. which is unique because it is the only exosome therapy derived from platelets.”

Swayden says they use these products in three ways: as a post-procedure treatment to speed up recovery time and enhance results, as a treatment for hair loss, and as a take-home skin treatment.

Cathleen LeBeau, PA-C, with Utica Square Skin Care Clinic in Tulsa, says Thermage, a deep collagen stimulating therapy, has gained interest as more people are noticing its effects on celebrities – and because it’s an incision-free procedure with no downtime. 

“The MOXI laser is also one of our more popular treatments, especially for younger women developing fine lines and unwanted pigmentation,” says LeBeau. “Women are seeking treatments at younger and younger ages, and it’s a great option to help with the fine lines they’re beginning to notice. With its mild laser resurfacing, it reduces pore size and helps lift pigment caused from sun damage in their youth.”

Swayden says with the advances in technology and techniques, lasers and lights are for everyone – not just lighter skin tones. And the results achieved are remarkable. 

“While injectables like Botox and filler will always have their place in the industry and are an incredible complement to laser and light treatments, they can’t deliver the collagen stimulation and the comprehensive skin transformation most patients expect today,” she says.

An upper and lower eye lift – known as a blepharoplasty procedure – is an excellent option for anyone wanting to rejuvenate their eye area or improve impaired vision due to lax upper eyelid skin, says Lesley Landis, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Landis Plastic Surgery in Tulsa. In fact, she says it’s one of the most common surgeries performed by plastic surgeons. 

“These surgeries have become even more popular as people participate in Zoom meetings and are critiquing their facial appearance,” says Landis. “Also, issues like lower eyelid bags and wrinkling skin can prematurely age a patient. Most blepharoplasties in my practice are done for cosmetic reasons, but insurance may cover an upper blepharoplasty if patients have significant skin laxity that covers the eyelashes.”

She says an upper blepharoplasty is an in-office procedure with local anesthesia and requires minimal downtime, while a lower blepharoplasty is typically performed in an operating room with sedation and takes seven to 10 days to recover. 

“The incisions heal remarkably well, and patients are delighted at their refreshed appearance,” says Landis. 

Injectables, such as dermal fillers, can help keep skin looking healthy and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. But before making an appointment, there are a few things you should consider to ensure a successful treatment.

“Certain precautions should be taken when receiving dermal fillers,” says LeBeau. “Because we’re injecting hyaluronic acid gel into the skin to provide more support and facial structure, we want it to integrate well. With that in mind, we always ask our patients if they’ve been sick, which includes respiratory infections, flu, sinus infections or UTIs. If the patient has been sick, then we want to wait until they’ve been healthy for two weeks before doing a procedure – as well as waiting two weeks after receiving a vaccine.”

The purpose, she says, is to avoid the body having an inflammatory reaction to the filler. 

“It rarely happens, but we’re very cautious and we don’t want any adverse reactions,” says LeBeau. “This also applies if you’ve recently been to the dentist for routine cleaning or had a major dental procedure, because during those appointments, oral bacteria has the potential to be circulated and to cause a reaction.”

Also, for individuals who may be taking medications, ranging from ibuprofen or naproxen to fish oil that may act as a blood thinner, you should stop taking it a few days before a treatment to minimize bruising. Or, if you’re prone to getting oral fever blisters, then you should proactively take an antiviral medicine, especially if you’re receiving injections near the mouth. 

“We also recommend waiting to fly,” says LeBeau. “We had a patient become very bruised when she flew the same day as receiving her filler treatment, and it was due to the change in cabin pressure during the flight.” 

In general, LeBeau says if you’re wanting a certain look for an upcoming event, make plans to receive a treatment a month or two beforehand. 

“Patients typically have some swelling and depending on the type of filler, it takes a little time for it to integrate into your skin tissues,” she says. “I always encourage patients to live with their treatments for three to six months before adding more to really see the full effects.” 

Breast implant patients are requesting a more natural or ‘fit’ appearance, says Landis.

“This can be achieved through a breast augmentation with smaller implants, which gives fullness and improves shape without necessarily increasing the size dramatically,” she says. “Patients like that they can fit into swimsuits or clothing more comfortably but still lead an active lifestyle.”

Another surgery that’s become popular is a breast lift with fat grafting. 

“For women that are happy with the volume of their breasts but dislike their saggy appearance, an implant may not be necessary,” she says. “Lifting the breast gives a better shape and fat can be liposuctioned from one area of the body and injected into the breast to enhance the shape even further.”

She also says breast reductions are in higher demand. 

“Thanks to social media, patients are more informed than ever about their options for breast surgery,” says Landis. “Women with large breasts can have neck pain, rashes and difficulty fitting into clothing. A breast reduction can definitively improve these symptoms and restore a woman’s confidence. These are my happiest patients!”

Ivan Wayne, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon of W Facial Aesthetics in Oklahoma City, says patients seeking a facelift are trending younger, choosing to take more preventative steps to maintain a youthful glow. 

“Around 40 is when deflation and descent of the cheek fat starts to occur,” says Wayne. “Doing a facelift at an early age can produce some really dramatic results as the tissues still have good elasticity. When patients look at the money and time invested in non-surgical treatments, they are choosing to do one intervention that looks great and lasts for years.” 

And while there are many less invasive procedures on the market, nothing replaces the reliable results of a facelift, says Landis. 

“Minor procedures like thread lifts often deliver temporary results, and lasers address superficial skin issues like discoloration or mild wrinkles,” she says. “Some newer devices like Morpheus8 can tighten the skin to some degree and are great for younger patients or those with minimal skin laxity. Some minimally invasive options can delay when a facelift is ultimately needed or be used in conjunction with surgery – however, a facelift is the gold standard to restore a more youthful shape to the face, decrease deep wrinkles, smooth jowls and streamline the jawline. It does not fundamentally change your appearance and can look very natural.” 

Wayne also says lift lips are trending and there’s been significant advancements in rhinoplasty. 

“A lift lip procedure shortens the upper lip, dramatically improving the appearance of the lips, and creates the desirable ‘pout,’” says Wayne. “Rhinoplasty surgery to reduce the size and enhance the shape of the nose has dramatically improved with a technique called ‘preservation rhinoplasty.’ This complete re-thinking of traditional rhinoplasty surgery has better, more natural results, with faster healing and less chances of problems down the road.”

Also of note is that with widespread use of GLP-1 weight loss medications, more people are wanting to address their sagging facial skin – a side effect that’s been coined the ‘Ozempic face.’ But Wayne says patients aren’t complaining. Instead they’re so happy with the results of the drugs that a face and/or neck lift is simply a part of the journey.