It is not often that I take time away from the clinic at short notice. However, I was beyond excited to have been invited and sponsored by Allergan to attend the MD Codes DYNA Bangkok tour, and grateful to my clients who were understanding when our team asked on my behalf to reschedule their appointments with me so I can travel to Thailand. What a privilege it was to be one of only 3 New Zealand Cosmetic Medicine Injectors to attend from Australasia!
Dr Mauricio De Maio travels all over the world to teach. During his introduction speech, he reminded the (maybe) 500 strong crowd of doctors (and a few of us nurses) all over Asia that Southeast Asia – specifically Bangkok – is THE region to be in for our industry.
His Doctorate on Facial Palsy was granted in 2006, and in the same year, published his BotulinumtoxinA paper on fixing facial asymmetry from facial palsy. He continued to inject more patients, learning more and putting knowledge together for MD Codes. Dr de Maio later on went to China and had a patient who was very happy with her face, however during the consultation, relayed via translator that her complaint was about her facial features when she is smiling! The maestro Dr Mauricio found this case too complex and found it technically challenging. He did not treat at that time, and instead to go and study first, reviewing his thesis. He immersed himself in understanding muscle activity, the power of correct placement of Juvederm and understood how to decrease muscle action.
In 2011, Dr de Maio visited Korea and treated patients there. When reviewing before and after photos of animated expressions, that’s when he realised that HA fillers could organise and direct muscle movement!
He goes on to regale the crowd with questions on how the muscles move, insertion, origin, and listening to either crickets, or nervous giggles that mask uncertainty. He reminds the crowd to relax, and not to worry – that he will help us review, go back to studying. He shared with much pageantry that during his time, doctors studied, studied and studied. Nowadays, he said that doctors are busy dancing and dancing on TikTok! He asked his production team to dim the lights in the auditorium, and for us to focus on what he has prepared for us – a video with music – for us to study, not dance to! Well, he said you can dance if you like, but I want you to keep an eye on the colours, and understand. The music was classical, almost hypnotic as the colour-coded muscle movement flashed on stage. Very demure. Very mindful.
What Is MD Codes DYNA?
Built upon the original MD Codes by Dr Mauricio De Maio, after almost a decade of further research and study, Dr De Maio introduced a dynamic approach to facial injections. MD Codes DYNA (shorthand for Dynamic Movement) is the improved injecting language by that focuses on:
· Facial expressions and muscle movement during animation (smiling, frowning or baby-cry look, and kissing/pouting lips).
· Precise product placement in relation to muscle fibres.
· Modulation of facial expression to achieve natural-looking results and avoid unnatural or frozen appearances.
These injecting techniques are based on principles of how facial muscles and expressions change over time, and using chemical and mechanical modulation of muscle activity to enhance natural movement of the face and emotional expressions.
I sat in an auditorium of doctors, proudly part of the team of nurses and doctors from Australia and New Zealand. Watching, listening, recording and absorbing as much as I could as Dr Mauricio De Maio, supported by a team of doctor-moderators, presented live on stage. Four models, spread over two full days, all had unbalanced expressions on animation, assessed and injected live on stage. It was like a drug I could not have enough of! Full disclosure, the only “drugs” I could not have enough of were the pain management drugs I had during labour for my three children!
The depth of insight, precision in technique, and artistry in treatment planning that Dr Mauricio De Maio presented were truly next level! The industry-famous, Australia-based Dr Jake Sloane shared with the AU-NZ Allergan group at the conclusion of the conference – that we are VERY lucky to receive such elite education, as it isn’t often a privilege provided by others.
I left Bangkok feeling energized, with a renewed passion for aesthetic medicine and a deeper appreciation for the power of individualized, functional rejuvenation. While it has been a few weeks since that trip, I am busy preparing to strategically share these learnings with our high-performance team. Not just to inform – but to inspire new ways of thinking and to elevate the care we provide to our patients here at The Face Place.
Why Is It Important?
While our team prides ourselves with delivering bespoke treatments according to individual facial dynamics, MD DYNA Codes can also help us prevent or balance asymetrical outcomes during facial expressions after completing dermal filler treatments. We will not only deliver natural looking results, but also natural, expressive and emotionally positive results!
In New Zealand, Bell’s palsy is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 60 people at some point in their lives. Our team, under the guidance of Dr Cat, enjoys the trust of many clients who have forms of facial palsy to receive treatments from us to manage hyperkinesis or soften the signs of ageing combined with muscle atrophy on the affected side. I am excited to integrate the transformative concepts of MD Codes DYNA into our team’s practice, to further enhance our patients’ exceptional experience under our care.
Botox®, Prescription Medicine
Botox® treatments work by relaxing facial muscles that cause wrinkles and lines when you smile or frown. Botox® is a prescription medicine containing 100 units of Botulinum Toxin Type A. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox is right for you.
All medicines, medical devices and treatments carry risks and benefits. Individual results will vary. Botox® is not a funded medicine. For product information check with your Cosmetic Nurse or Doctor. For further information visit https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/regulatory/ProductDetail.asp?ID=1753
Supplier Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company, Auckland
The Face Place.
