St John Clinic Newsletter April 2019
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the brighter weather and the prospect of summer ahead.
I have a very special offer for you in this issue. As you know, I am committed to making you look your absolute best in a totally natural way and at a price that represents good value for money. My offer, detailed below, helps to emphasise this commitment to you.
I also have a very useful tip for those of you using Lumigan eyelash enhancement.
I’m making some positive changes to my timetable in order to free up more out of hours appointments.
Finally, I’m announcing a new clinic based at weekends in Great Tew, The Cotswolds OX7.
The Multifiller Face Lift
“More is definitely more”
Offer limited initially to sessions being completed by 31.10.19 (23.12.19 for clients in Bath/ Scotland).
Special Offer:
Currently, buy 4 fillers – one is complimentary “5 filler face lift”
Now, buy 7 fillers – up to 3 are complimentary “10 filler face lift”
Buy 10 fillers – up to 5 are complimentary “ 15 filler face lift”
Each 1ml filler costs £395
20 years ago when I started my aesthetic medical career, bovine collagen (needing a patch test) was used to fill in nose to mouth lines and to plump up lips.
Fast forward 20 years and we have plastic surgeons (the most well known and revered internationally being Brazil’s Maurizio de Maio) performing what can only be described as face lifts without surgery using a multi-filler approach.
What I need you to do is to completely forget about those plump cheeks and grossly enlarged lips we all see on celebrities magazines. Because this is most definitely not what I want to achieve for you.
Mauricio de Maio has several years experience with multiple fillers. This year he announced that the average number of fillers he needs to both correct and to beautify his clients is 12. This was an average across all age groups, older clients needing more than younger clients.
It is for this reason that I would like to encourage many of you to buy into this philosophy by offering you several free syringes.
If I tell you that 5 syringes fills a teaspoon, you can see that even 5 syringes is not going to make more than a subtle difference if applied to several areas of the face. On the other hand, tiny amounts can have a significant effect when expertly applied.
A word about my philosophy. My aims are twofold:
1 To correct the signs of ageing by restoring volume, and
2 To use fillers to make my clients as attractive as possible
Correction of volume loss
The visible signs of ageing are largely due to volume depletion. As we lose volume of tissues (these include bone, ligaments, fat, skin) in ALL areas of the face, it follows that we must replace volume in small amounts in lots of different areas of the face in order to achieve a natural, youthful result In this way we keep the contours of the face as they are naturally.
The reason that we see folds and depressions in some areas more than others is due to the effect of gravity. With progressive volume depletion, the skin falls creating problems such as nasolabial folds and under-eye hollows.
Once volume is gently restored, the skin is lifted, hollows and folds disappear and the face looks more youthful, fresh and, importantly, natural.
Enhancing attractiveness- the golden ratio 1: 1.618
In 1497 Leonardo Da Vinci collaborated with an architect Paccioli in a book called “The Divine Proportion’ in which he writes about the golden ratio of 1:1.618 and its application to art and architecture.
This ratio has been found to be abundant in beautiful art over the centuries.
It has been shown that the most beautiful faces today have proportions that accord with this golden ratio. I’m thinking of photogenically beautiful women such as Angelina Jolie and Kate Moss.
Whilst I don’t generally measure my clients’ faces, a knowledge of this golden ratio helps guide me plan treatments to features that I am able to improve. Examples are the length of the chin relative to the positions of the eyes and mouth, the width of the mouth relative to that of the nose etc.
Almost no-one has a perfect face shape with ideal proportions. However, by taking into account this golden ratio, I can plan how to prioritise fillers in certain areas of the face. The overall goal therefore is not only to make my clients more youthful, but more attractive as well. Youth and beauty do not always go hand in hand.
Juvederm hyaluronic acid range
All this is achievable with top quality fillers such as the Juvederm range. Allergan, known for its outstanding commitment to medical science, makes both Botox® and the Juvederm filler range. These are gels which integrate where they are placed so they do not move around. The effects can last for years, very gradually being broken down and eliminated by the body. They are not permanent though they are long lasting. Reassuringly, they can be dissolved in a matter of hours/ days by injection of hyaluronidase.
Typical treatment areas
The list includes the following :
• Eyebrow area- lifts upper eyelid
• Outer cheek- defines and provides lift
• Undereye area- reduces shadows/ hollows
• Mid to outer cheek-supports undereye area, removes hollows, restores “ogee curve”
• In front of the ear- provides lift and reduces hollowing
• Area under mouth, jawline and chin-removes lines, depressions, defines jaw
and enhances chin size and position
• Mouth- defines lip shape, softens vertical lip lines etc.
Technique
I use cannulae for almost all areas of the face. The cannula technique is a way of distributing small amounts of filler evenly in both small and large areas. A cannula is the size of a needle but it is not sharp so it does not traumatise the tissues. A tiny single pin prick is all that is necessary to access large areas of the face. Minimal pin pricks mean less discomfort and less likelihood of bruising and swelling. For most clients this means almost no downtime following the procedure.
Number and timing of sessions
Ideally 5 syringes would be over 2 sessions, 10 syringes would be over 3 sessions and 15 fillers would be over 4 sessions. This allows time for fillers to settle in. It then becomes clear at subsequent sessions which areas need further treatment to to make you look your best. Sessions should ideally be spaced at 2 to 4 weekly intervals.
This is just a guide. I’m quite happy to treat you with only two fillers at a time if you wish and to extend the overall treatment period to 4 to 6 months. You are in control of your look and you can manage the budget accordingly.
How long do the effects last?
Here is where I score an “own goal”(!) in that the effects last so well that once we have reached the perfect look for you, you will probably never need the same quantity of fillers again. Perhaps one or two per year to maintain your look is often all that is necessary. I will reassess you every time you visit, for example for your usual Botox® treatment.
Lumigan eyelash enhancement Bimatoprost 0.3mg/ml
This eyedrop ,when placed along the roots of the upper lashes is scientifically proven in clinical trials to lengthen, thicken and darken the lashes. The drops have recently been repackaged into tiny plastic vials Each vial lasts about 4 days. I just wanted to share a tip with you. Once the lid has been snapped off the vial, it can be fitted back on again. This will minimise leakage and waste.
New Cotswolds clinic
I’m delighted to announce that I shall soon be opening a weekend clinic in Great Tew, OX7. Should you like to have more details do call or email us.
I look forward to seeing you at one of the St John Clinics soon.
With all best wishes,
Lady St John of Bletso MBChB MRCOG
Dr Helen St John
dr@stjohnclinic.co.uk
020 8946 9694
www.stjohnclinic.co.uk