Elevating Aesthetics: Patient-Specific Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers to Improve Appearance and Psychosocial Wellbeing

Abstract

Perception of beauty is changing from a rigid concept (i.e., the universal idea of beauty) to a multifaceted and personalised view of one’s appearance. One of the main concerns of patients is looking artificial and losing their unique facial expressions, which encourages them to seek aesthetic procedures that yield the most natural results. Patients also wish to increase their self-esteem and, ultimately, improve their quality of life. It is now well-established that treatment with hyaluronic acid (HA)-based dermal fillers improves the psychosocial state of patients. The assessment of facial anatomy and patient needs, accompanied by the proven holistic benefit and good safety profile of HA dermal filler treatment, is also a key factor for an optimal outcome. In addition, clear communication between patient and physician is crucial to manage patient expectations, maximise satisfaction, and minimise procedural risks. The availability of a wide range of HA dermal fillers, customised for specific anatomical areas and facial movements, allows physicians to develop patient-specific treatment plans. This review of the ‘Elevating Aesthetics’ symposium held at the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) 2023 shares insights into the patient’s facial anatomy and possible danger zones presented during a cadaver workshop. Several successful treatment plans tailored to different patient profiles (i.e., patients seeking full-face aesthetic improvement, patients with facial asymmetry, low lip volume in mature and millennial women) were also implemented live. A comprehensive and patient-specific HA dermal filling treatment should be considered by physicians to achieve natural outcomes and improve the general wellbeing of the patient.