In this age of seeing too many ‘over-done’ faces, it was refreshing meeting multi-award winning UK-based Cosmetic Physician, Dr Dev Patel who explained why there IS only one way to looking younger. With declining stigma around anti-aging facial treatments, more and more men and women of all ages and varying social profiles, are seeking a solution to their tired appearance, reports Dr Dev Patel, Founder and Medical Director of Perfect Skin Solutions.
However, it takes them an average of two years from initial thought, to actually taking the first step into an aesthetic clinic, according to a large global study. Dr Dev Patel reveals that the primary obstacle for over 80% of people is the fear of looking unnatural from treatments such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin-A. He explains: “However, the irony is that many of them will eventually end up with an unnatural result and actually not realise.
So many focus on one or two issues that they notice in the mirror and become so pre-occupied with fixing these – often with unrealistic expectations – that paired with a poor practitioner, end up being over- or mistreated.
The reality is that it must never be about whether someone wants the natural look or not. The natural look is the only way beautification can be achieved. Phrases like ‘trout pout’ or ‘chipmunk cheeks’ are infamous and there is a hidden message in these; when you take away human characteristics of shape and form you take away beauty.” So how does someone know they are in the right hands? Dr Patel gives this advice: “You want to see as many whole face results (before and afters) as you can from the practitioner.
More importantly, how do you feel after the consultation; it is essential to get an idea of whether the doctor-patient relationship is going to work or not. I tell my patients that we are starting a journey together and we must have the same goals. By the time we have our first face-to-face meeting, they have already seen a 5 minute video at home of me talking about the psychology of beauty and completed questionnaires on their desires and emotional responses to aspects of their face. The video is to try and set the right mindset from the very beginning. A further 45 minute consultation will help with that. They will then go home and have a think before returning for me to execute the treatment plan. My measure of success is a positive emotional response in my patient and commonly, reports that they have been told ‘how well they are looking’ or ‘have you changed your hair, it looks really nice’. People will know they look better but not know why.”
To find out more about Dr Dev Patel you can visit his clinic website at www.perfectskinsolutions.co.uk or follow him on IG @drdevpatel1