The future of aesthetic medicine is prevention and skin regeneration
ANTI-AGE & LONGEVITY MAGAZINE: What do your patients really say when they come to see you about their skin?
Dr Sameh Bougossi: Nowadays, consultations focus on improving the skin quality. They want to age well, gracefully, subtly and naturally. Requests for volume enhancement have gone down, just like “Facial overfilled syndrome”, which is no longer in fashion. Patients now seek overall solutions. This is not just about their skin but also their body, joints and organs. Longevity has taken a central role in medicine, with care that aims to be comprehensive and holistic.
AALM: How do you deal with these new expectations?
Dr. S.B.: As aesthetics doctors, we have a lot of tools to help us in our practice, such as devices, injectables, peels, mesotherapy and, of course, biostimulators such as Radiesse, which has become our go-to. It allows me to work on stimulating and beautifying the skin; the results can be immediate or gradual, providing they look natural. I now have over 70% requests for collagen inducers, whereas when I was starting out, I only had 30%. I perform very few tensor thread treatments because I can achieve a satisfactory lifting effect with Radiesse. If the sagging is too severe, I refer my patients to a surgeon.
AALM: How does Radiesse affect the skin quality?
Dr. S.B.: I chose Radiesse for several reasons: it is a biostimulator and is regenerative, with studies showing an increase in collagen production as well as elastin and proteoglycans, which increase angiogenesis. Stimulating angiogenesis can regenerate new blood vessels, which oxygenate the damaged tissues. Proteoglycans play an essential role in hydrating treatments and skin elasticity thanks to their hydrophilic properties, which boost hydration and give a lifting effect. This way, we improve the skin’s environment in order to beautify it. I defend the concept of the skin ecosystem. The skin ecosystem is everything that allows our skin to become more radiant, including fibroblasts, their collagen and elastin secretion, proteoglycans and blood vessels. When we say that Radiesse improves angiogenesis, it is with a view to improving the overall skin quality. For me, Radiesse has three fundamental roles: improving the skin quality with visible and proven results, better defining the features and facial contours, and a lifting effect.
AALM: What are the short- and long-term results?
Dr. S.B.: I started using Radiesse on acne scars 10 years ago and, even back then, I achieved over 50% reduction in the depth of the scars, regardless of their type. The complexion’s radiance is the first visible improvement, then the skin becomes firmer and the dermis becomes thicker later on in the process, between 6 to 8 weeks after injection. The results continue improving over time. Depending on the patients and indications, we can use Radiesse at different dilutions. For a skin boosting effect, we would dilute it 1 to 2. We can treat the neck, decollete and hands to make the tendons and ligaments less visible. I also receive requests for the inner arms and knees. It helps thicken the dermis for a better dermal structure.
AALM: What are the key points for safe and harmonious results?
Dr. S.B.: I must have performed over 1,000 injections without encountering any nodules or granulomas. Radiesse has a non-inflammatory mechanism of action, which makes it a very safe product. Mastering the technique, anatomy and physiology are vital, even though Radiesse is a product that can be used either superficially, intradermally or sub-dermally.
AALM: How do you see aesthetic medicine evolving over the next few years?
Dr. S.B.: The demand for prevention has increased significantly over the last two years, as has regenerative medicine, which is definitely one of the future paths for aesthetic medicine. I always round off my Radiesse sessions with a bio revitalising peel, for example. I am also seeing an increased demand from patients who are undergoing GLP-1 treatments. A lot of presentations have been made about this subject at recent scientific conferences, along with the undeniable popularity of using collagen inducers such as Radiesse. Some experts recommend 1 syringe for every 5 kilos lost, and adopting a preventative approach even before treatment. Take care of your skin!
Dr Sameh Bougossi
Aesthetic medicine, trained in the university diploma for the evaluation and control of injection and filling techniques in dermatology and plastic surgery, DIU Medical Lasers, Paris Descartes.
Infos: @dr_bougossi
