Utilising ULTRA SOUND in Aesthetics

While dermal fillers are widely regarded as the go-to procedure for facial rejuvenation due to their effective results and reliable safety profile, complications do still occur – even serious vascular adverse events. The good news is that an ultrasound examination can be an important tool in improving the safety of hyaluronic acid filler treatments.

- DR SALOME GURGENIDZE

When it comes to non-surgical facial rejuvenation, injectable fillers still come out tops as one of the most desired procedures in aesthetic medicine. Yet while patients are informed now more than ever about product choice and procedures, they still need more information. For instance, patients want to know what the differences between botulinum toxin injections and injectable fillers are, as well as their respective side effects and dangers involved.

What is interesting to know is that most patients will choose a filler procedure over botulinum toxin injections – even though the latter are less dangerous than the paracetamol we buy over the counter. On the other hand, the injectable filler procedure is far more risky.

Higher learning From the above, it’s no wonder then that medical practitioners are trying to participate in different courses to learn how to enhance and refine aesthetic procedures. Needless to say, it’s extremely vital to know the facial anatomy very well – where to place fillers into the correct level of tissue, how to inject the correct amount of filler for perfect results – and, most importantly, how to avoid undesired side effects. And these side effects are no joke: in fact, one of the risks of incorrect injectable filler placement is vascular occlusion. This means that there is a blockage of a blood vessel, which could lead to tissue necrosis (tissue death), blindness or even stroke. Up to 100 cases of blindness have been described in the world of aesthetic medicine, and these are practically almost impossible to reverse.