Our Medical Team have the privilege of attending major conferences for Cosmetic Medicine here in New Zealand and across the ditch, because our clinic’s leader and founder, Dr Catherine Stone, is relentless in investing in her team’s pursuit of continuous learning. Myself and my nurse colleagues have been sent to attend the Non-Surgical Symposium in the Gold Coast, and New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine annual conference in Queenstown in the past few months, and we were front and centre listening to fabulous doctors present topics strongly centred on optimising skin quality. Long story short, we can never underestimate the power of skin! 

I particularly enjoyed Dr Priya Chadha’s presentation on Skin Quality. Facial skin quality affects an individual’s appearance, and has a profound influence on perceived attractiveness, youthfulness, and health. Poor skin quality can have huge negative effects and negative consequences on quality of life. 

She shared that on data, attractive individuals tend to be favoured in job admission processes, have improved likelihood of promotion and career success. Research also showed that people tend to see attractive individuals as possessing positive traits. There’s also research that people tend to be more favourable of unethical behaviours with people of better skin or perceived attractiveness. (ahah! Flashback of myself watching news from overseas and wondering how those people got away with doing wrong things for a long time!)  

While it is worrying to learn that there is research-based data that people actually make inferences based on skin quality, across all ethnicities and age groups, it is a fact. Whether we like it or not, people will make judgements of us, even before they actually speak to us. Someone would have made judgements on how much we earn, our job satisfaction, our happiness in life at home, our emotional state based on our level of skin health. Heck, if someone is a member of a jury, they’d be more inclined to give us a shorter sentence if we had healthy looking skin. 

Shocking, but yes, one’s skin has a strong psychosocial influence on other individuals. On the flip side, poor skin quality may negatively impact a person’s mental health, quality of life, self-perception and interactions with others. These are my learnings, backed by data from research conducted overseas. 

Let’s lighten this blog by focusing on insights from closer to home? 

• Skin quality and achieving “the glow” is becoming a more common concern for our Cosmedicine clients, and this is across all age groups. 

• Younger clients want that fresh or glass look, aiming to keep up with the #nofilter trend on social media. 

• Women my age (hello perimenopausal ladies!) notice that their usual skin care is just not cutting it anymore … and in the ideal world, we should NOT be getting acne in our 40s! 

• Strong wahine powering through menopause know that despite the moisturiser’s and supplements they have, the skin just feels dehydrated before the end of the day. 

Our fabulous dermal clinicians are excellent in working with each client, identifying their concerns and unique needs, then proposing a bespoke long term plan to achieve healthier looking skin. It is a process that can take time, and patience is key. However, we can boost the process with a little help from our injecting team, by harnessing the power of Botox combined with SkinVive aka “The Power of Two!” 

What’s that? 

Botox is injected into the appropriate upper facial muscle to temporarily relax the muscles and improve the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Then, SkinVive is injected into your facial skin. SkinVive is a hyaluronic acid, similar to your dermal fillers used for volume restoration, but different in that it has a lower concentration and is a skin booster. 

We sprinkle micro-droplets of hyaluronic acid (using the tiniest needle) for overall treatment. We do this to improve your complexion, to give you longer lasting hydration, improve texture for cheek smoothness, and that much coveted glow or luminosity. When SkinVive is injected under the skin, it’s literally stimulating the production of cells called aquaporins which are responsible for hydrating our skin. SkinVive is among several Skin Boosters that we offer at The Face Place. Profhilo is also a very good one to use for people who have some laxity and crepey skin on the lower face and neck. While it is not the most pleasant treatment, it is only a few injections and it’s over in a jiffy! Viscoderm can soften fine lines on the lower face, and deliver deep hydration as well.

Combining Botox and Skin Hydrators in a single appointment unleashes “The Power of Two.” Treating the full face to achieve fresh, radiant looking skin. 

Come see our team to know if The Power of Two is right for you! 

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. 

Juvederm SkinVive™, Medical Device. Class III 

Juvederm SkinVive™ is an injectable gel made from synthesised hyaluronic acid. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines, boost skin hydration and enhance skin elasticity. Juvederm SkinVive™ can be used on the face, neck and decolletage. 

Juvederm SkinVive™ contains 12mg/mL cross-linked hyaluronic acid and is intended for the treatment of restoring lost volume to the face. All medicines, medical devices and treatments carry risks and benefits. Individual results will vary. Speak to one of our qualified Cosmedicine Nurses or Doctors to see what might be right for you and to explain the possible side effects. Supplier Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company, Auckland The Face Place.