So, you’re thinking about getting some work done, but don’t know where to start. Why not try the “natural look”?
Favoured by cosmetic doctors, the natural look has gained popularity in the past few years as cosmetic procedures evolve and beauty trends move away from the exaggerated features of reality TV stars towards something much more authentic and individual.
“When we talk about the natural look we are talking about using aesthetic techniques and skill to adjust, balance and enhance a person’s unique look without it being detectable,” says Dr Wassim Taktouk. It’s about looking fresher and minimising the effects of ageing, but done in a subtle way so that you are still recognisably you.
This is something that Dr Marco Nicoloso specialises in at Ouronyx, a brand new skincare and facial aesthetics clinic that has been built around the concept of less is more. At Ouronyx, doctors combine game-changing medical technology with advanced behavioural science for a personalised approach. Practitioners, and clients, can track the performance of their filler or Botox to a minute degree, minimising the risk of an over-treated look.
“People want to feel confident,” says Nicoloso. “Being confident means looking like yourself, not somebody else. This can only be achieved with a subtle and natural approach.” It’s also a much safer option. When you over inject you can increase the risk of bruising, swelling, infection, and vascular occlusion. In addition, because of the amount of tension created, over a long period of time the skin begins to weaken, and therefore actually increases the appearance of ageing.
So, how can you achieve the natural look? Find out below.
Use Botox sparingly
When it comes to minimising the appearance of ageing, the first thing you’ll want to consider is Botox. But not the Botox of old, the aim isn’t to freeze the face, but rather to use it sparingly in the right areas to gently lift the complexion. It’s better to start out with a small dosage, as you can always add more later.
“A smaller amount of botulinum toxin is injected to reduce, but preserve the muscle movement in order to soften lines and wrinkles with a very natural result,” says Nicolosco. “This is at the heart of Ouronyx’s philosophy, we strive to offer results that are alive with expression.”
Try a brow lift
One of the key places to inject Botox is in between the eyebrows. “As we age we get the development of ‘11s’ ; these are the vertical lines between the eyebrows,” explains Taktouk. “Also our eyebrows themselves start to become lowered. One of the most effective ways to treat this is to create a ‘Botox brow lift’.”
Injecting in between the brows will lessen the severity of these lines and lift the brows into a more rested-looking position.
Pay attention to the corners of the mouth
Like our brows, as we age, the corners of our mouth start to lower, pulling our mouths into a permanently sad-looking expression. This is because the muscles start to slacken. “Toxin injected here weakens the pulling down effect,” explains Taktouk. “Remember the aim is to soften not freeze; maintaining movement is key.”
Opt for hyaluronic acid
When it comes to using the filler, hyaluronic acid is a must. Not only does it have the ability to move and stretch with the face, it also minimises the risk of lumps and bumps. It can also be super hydrating for the skin.
“Hyaluronic acid binds water to volumise where necessary or to hold tissues up through creating tension on the skin above it,” says Taktouk. “Resilient hyaluronic acid is key here, because it is sophisticated in its design in that it stretches and moves with facial tissues. I like to use RHA by Teoxane.”
Restore the temples
As we age, our skin starts to lower and we lose volume around the eye area. To treat this, practitioners often recommend injecting the temporal area creating a fuller, healthier look. “Temple treatments are game-changers,” explains Taktouk. “They can create a real youthfulness to the upper face and they can be extremely difficult to detect.”
Define the jawline
The lower half of your face is just as important as the upper areas. To create a lifted, youthful-looking complexion, Nicoloso recommends strategic placements of filler in the lateral part of the face in order to define and contour, in particular, along the jawline. As we age, the definition between our jaw and neck area softens which contributes to the appearance of ageing. By injecting filler here you create a kind of tension in the lower face, which creates a lifting effect. “This will enhance definition, shape, and lifting, with a very natural result without making the patient’s face look round,” says Nicoloso. “On the contrary, the face looks more defined.”
Consider Profhilo
If you’re not quite ready for Botox or filler, Profhilo is a great way to ease you in. “Profhilo is a great addition to improve skin quality and health through hydration, and to stimulate collagen production,” adds Nicoloso.
A bio-stimulant, Profhilo supercharges the skin with hyaluronic acid while, at the same time, stimulates the fibroblasts to make collagen and elastin.
“Hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin are the trinity of skin building blocks,” says Taktouk “When they are simulated they counteract skin laxity and restores firmness of the skin.”
Maintain skin health
The best thing you can do for your skin is to look after it all year round. As well as your tweakments, you’ll want to have a good skincare routine in place. This is where your vitamin C, vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide come in. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, while vitamin A increases cell turnover, removing dull skin cells and colouring new cells to grow.
Another crucial element to consider is SPF to combat sun damage, which can lead to fine lines, and the reduction of collagen and elastin in the skin. “SPF’s role is in reducing extrinsic ageing,” explains Taktouk. “That is the ageing from sun (photo damage). Extrinsic ageing (also caused by smoking) causes pigmentation. Fine lines, reduction of elastin and elastin in the skin.”
This article was originally published on Vogue US.
