Facial Aesthetics

 

We use our facial muscles in a number of ways on a daily basis. From talking, frowning, smiling or yawning, our skin is stretched or contracted as we use our muscles. Each person ages differently, and over the years your lose the elasticity of your skin causing the skin to sag or droop. Enhancing your natural beauty with minimally invasive treatments is possible, and our facial aesthetics department offers a variety of treatments curated by Dr Sheryl Smithies. She has extensive training in Aptos threads, Juvéderm® fillers and Botox®/ Dysport® injections.

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Introducing Dr Sheryl Smithies

Dr Sheryl Smithies is originally from Durban and moved to Cape Town to further expand her techniques and knowledge of cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetic treatments. Once a patient has completed his/her smile rehabilitation at Enamel Clinic, our facial aesthetics department can complete his/her new look with a facial enhancement treatment. Dr Smithies has been administering both Toxin and fillers since 2009 and keeps her skills up-to-date by attending numerous courses, both hands-on and virtual. She has been doing thread treatments since 2016 and loves to include them in any rejuvenating aesthetic plans.

Dr Smithies has contributed to many webinars and discussions about facial aesthetic treatments, and offers learning opportunities in facial enhancement techniques.

Meeting us for the first time, how does a first consultation work?

We always enjoy welcoming new or returning patients. Once you’ve decided you would like to have a treatment done, we’ll schedule a consultation appointment.

Your first appointment will include a discussion between you and Dr Smithies regarding your goals and wishes for your aesthetic treatment. Thereafter, a clinical examination will then follow and photos are taken.  With this information, Dr Smithies will discuss the ideal treatment outcomes and possibilities, alternatively, if more in-depth treatments are required, a surgical intervention is suggested. Once Dr Smithies has established the facial aesthetic treatment, costing will be discussed as well as the best time frame for your treatment – for example, we’ll avoid treatment right before a big event. 

What is the consultation cost?

The cost of your first consultation is R750, however,  if the treatment is completed within a month of the consultation, the consultation fee will be waived.

Can I book a virtual consultation?

Although we offer interactive virtual consultations, Dr Smithies prefers an in-practice appointment to assess your areas of concern and, of course, to get to get to know you better. The virtual consultations are ideal for any general questions you might have about our treatments.

Neurotoxin (Botox®/ Dysport® injections)

Procedure

Both Botox® and Dysport® are classified as botulinum toxins that cause facial muscles to relax. The procedure includes target muscles being injected in a number of sites with the toxin. This treatment is relatively painless and male and female patients can benefit from this treatment alike. Neurotoxin injections can be started in your late 20’s for the best preventative results but can also be applied later in life to treat wrinkles.

Areas we can target

  • Forehead
  • Frown lines
  • Crow’s feet
  • Bunny lines
  • Gummy smile
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Treatment duration

This treatment is a quick appointment lasting around 20-30 minutes. 

Results

Results will be noticeable after 3-5 days after completing the treatment, and final results will be visible after day 10 post-injection.

Side effects

Common side effects are fairly rare. These include paralysis of incorrect target muscles, for example, your eyelid might be a bit droopy, or your forehead corners can lift too high. These potential issues are prevented through correct procedure and case selection of injection spots, however, it can bruise, but this is usually a small bruise. Allergic reactions are generally not an issue with neurotoxin. You might, however, have an allergy to the latex gloves we use, which is easily mitigated by using latex-free gloves.

Juvéderm fillers

Procedure

Juvéderm fillers are used to fill or plump up areas with hyaluronic acid (a natural substance generated in your skin). Some areas are more painful than others and hence we recommend that you arrive early for your appointment so that numbing cream can be applied to alleviate the pain of the injection.  Fillers are fantastic for sculpting and conditioning to help keep your skin to be youthful and smooth. This treatment can be done for both males and females alike. Dr Smithies likes to do natural treatments as she does not overuse filler and believes that less is more.

Areas we can target

Filler can be used anywhere on the face and neck depending on whether you would like to sculpt, add bulk, smooth, rejuvenate or hydrate the skin.

  • Lip sculpting is very popular and, Dr Smithies loves creating natural lips
  • Smoothen out lines on the nose or around the mouth
  • Add definition to your lips and jaw

Treatment duration

This treatment takes about 45 minutes depending on the amount of filler being injected and the specific areas on your face we’re injecting.

Results

The results from fillers are instant but bruising and swelling does occur after injection.  This settles down over a week to 10 days for final results to be seen.

Side effects

Side effects can include overfilling, bruising, swelling, uneven results and very rarely necrosis or blindness.  All care is taken to ensure a safe injection technique when doing filler. Allergic reactions are generally not an issue with neurotoxin. You might, however, have an allergy to the latex gloves we use, which is easily mitigated by using latex-free gloves.  

Aptos Threads

Procedure

Aptos threads contain Hyaluronic Acid that is carefully inserted and attached to soft tissue, stimulating collagen growth in the skin to provide a smooth outcome. These threads are a fantastic way to lift skin and help prevent the effects of gravity on your ageing process. We use Aptos threads as they are considered an advanced thread brand. 

Areas we can target

Threads can treat a number of issues, from building collagen under the skin in certain areas to lifting sagging skin. 

  • It can help treat facial asymmetries like Bell’s Palsy by lifting the drooping side
  • Lift sagging cheeks, jowls and necks.
  • Smooth out forehead lines, lift areas of your cheeks and neck, reduce bags under your eyes and thin out your lips.

Treatment duration

Aptos thread treatment times varies depending on the type of threads used. A full consultation is imperative before treatment is done to assess skin laxity and best threads suited to the case. 

Results

The results are instant lifting and tightness. Healing will include swelling and puffiness with some discomfort where the threads are hooking, especially if you pull on them. These dissipate over 2-3 weeks on average.

Side effects

Allergy is very rare, however, some patients experience minor side effects.  Your skin will be puffy and swollen, with areas of puckering where the thread is pulling the skin up.  This effect lasts 2-3 weeks and can be uncomfortable. Uneven results are normal initially, however, it will even out over the healing period.  As much as this treatment is less invasive than a full facelift, you should expect to look after the results as if you have had a full facelift. It is imperative that you look after your threads post-op by avoiding doing jarring exercises, sleeping on your back and making no big movements that might dislodge the threads.