Facial harmonization is a method of rejuvenating the face using minimally invasive approaches such as toxins, dermal fillers, and threads. With one or more of these transformative ways to reverse the signs of aging, you can gain more confidence in your facial appearance and even promote greater skin health in many cases. These treatments restore facial volume, eliminate wrinkles, and provide lift for several regions affected by time and gravity. With the skills and guidance of a licensed clinician, you can enhance your natural facial features and beauty. They can also correct asymmetries in your face that you may feel self-conscious about.

While implementing high-quality skincare practices into your routine is valuable and helps the skin repair damage from the environment, sun, and other factors, improving facial harmonization with in-clinic treatments can also enhance your facial profile and structure.

At Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, our skincare experts can help you find a natural-looking solution that leaves your skin more elastic, glowy, and resilient. Our practice is headed by Dr. Tanya Kormeili, an experienced board-certified dermatologist and professor based in Santa Monica.

To get in touch with Dr. Kormeili and her staff today, call (310) 526-8301 or fill out her contact form, and we will help schedule your consultation appointment at your earliest convenience.

The Components of Beautiful Facial Structure

Math, Beauty, and Art

Plastic surgery incorporates artistic principles that make the face as balanced and harmonious as possible. There are many examples throughout history that strive to understand beauty in a mathematical sense; for example, the Golden Ratio- founded by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians- is often used to determine aesthetically pleasing relationships between subjects. Within nature, the Golden Ratio can be found in seashells, galaxies, flower patterns, and even the human face. Its swirling shape represents the ratio 1:1.618, a proportion that was found to be the most aesthetically pleasing ratio according to the German philosopher, Gustav Fechner. ⁽¹⁾ Throughout the Renaissance, artists applied this mathematical concept to their art. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci’s concepts within the Vitruvian Man depict the ideal male body that fits perfectly within a circle and a square. ⁽²⁾ Today, surgeons have shown that improving beauty means correcting asymmetries and creating optimal distances between facial features.

Facial Proportions and the Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio applies to facial proportions in a variety of ways:

The Causes of Skin Aging

Skin aging can have a profound effect on overall facial harmonization, and it is an aspect to address when coming up with the most comprehensive solution possible. With more exposure to UV light, stress, hormone fluctuations, and lifestyle and diet changes, the skin becomes less capable of producing collagen fibers and the quantity needed to sustain more rejuvenated facial features. With age, the skin also loses more elastin and its ability to recoil tightly, leaving it prone to sagging. Another vital component is hyaluronic acid (HA), a compound present in the skin that plays a role in the total hydration of the skin. A lack of moisture within the dermis- the layer with the fibroblast cells that directly produce collagen and elastin- can cause the skin to develop flakiness, dryness, and more fine lines. Although it is an ingredient in many skincare products, hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the body as well; as much as 50% of the total amount is found within the skin. ⁽³⁾ At Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, we understand how to restore these components to promote the most healthy, supple skin after every treatment.

Non-invasive Solutions

Correcting minor facial imperfections does not always require intensive surgery. Achieving facial harmonization may just require minor changes to volumize or subtly obscure certain features to make the face appear more balanced and highlight attractive characteristics. With toxins, thread lifts, and dermal fillers, you will not have to fret over caring for incisions or the scar-healing process that is typical of brow lifts, facelifts, and other invasive procedures. With a customized treatment plan, you can effectively:

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

By simply provoking the skin to boost its production of collagen and elastin and adding hyaluronic acid, you can not only lift and revitalize areas of the skin but also create facial contours that you can feel confident with. There are a variety of fillers that provide volume and wrinkle-eliminating benefits to various areas of the face.

Juvéderm, Restylane, and Belotero

Hyaluronic acid microspheres in many dermal fillers penetrate deep into the dermis and bind to water thousands of times their own volume, creating a natural plump in targeted areas. ⁽³⁾ These fillers can not only help the skin recover lost hydration and recreate a healthy glow, but they are also made of this naturally occurring substance, so there is minimal risk that the skin will negatively react to it. Derm and Rejuvenation Institute offers a range of long-lasting fillers, including:

Our fillers exhibit varying amounts of density and stretch, so some formulations are ideal for areas of less movement- such as the chin or jawline- and some move more seamlessly in areas of high movement. Each solution of HA is formulated with lidocaine, to minimize discomfort as much as possible. After this minor procedure, patients can expect to sustain results for 6 to 12 months with Restylane and Belotero Balance, 1 year with Juvéderm XC formulations, and up to 2 years with Voluma.

Biostimulatory Fillers

Biostimulatory fillers trigger new collagen and elastin production over time, providing more gradual changes that flatter overall facial structure. These types of fillers are made from biocompatible, synthetic substances that the skin can metabolize over a period of several months or years. As they degrade, they increase the number of fibroblast cells within the dermis. Our options include:

Radiesse

Radiesse is made from a mineral found in our bones and teeth, calcium hydroxylapatite. Transferred by a carboxymethylcellulose gel, this mineral spreads evenly throughout the injected area of the skin. Radiesse corrects moderate to severe wrinkles, addresses facial volume loss, and maintains its final results for 12 to 18 months. ⁽⁵⁾

Sculptra

Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a polymer that provokes new collagen production about twice as long as HA fillers. With PLLA filler, you can not only eliminate severe wrinkles and volumize on the face, but injectors can also administer it to areas of the body as well. This filler can help mask cellulite, reduce wrinkles on the knees and elbows, create a rounding effect on the buttocks and thighs, and smooth out neck bands.

PDO Thread Lift

PDO threads are made of polydioxanone, a dissolvable material found in many surgical sutures. For this procedure, your clinician will strategically insert the suture just under the skin, triggering the formation of firmer, more youthful skin with deep collagen renewal. At Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, we perform thread lifts to help resolve these cosmetic issues:

While a thread lift will not produce the same dramatic results as a facelift, many patients appreciate that this procedure is a much simpler alternative and does not require much downtime. After a thread lift, patients can go back to work the next day, and results will begin to settle in over time. These subcutaneous threads will completely dissolve within 18 months of the procedure. ⁽⁶⁾

Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators at Derm & Rejuvenation Institute include Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport– all slightly different injectable variations of botulinum toxin. Unlike fillers, injectors administer this compound underneath the skin and into the facial muscle, where it inhibits contraction and relaxes the skin overlying it. This type of treatment does not impact the quality of the skin itself, but this slight modification to facial muscle prevents dynamic wrinkles from becoming more permanent lines. After just one session, a “tox” treatment can eliminate precise aesthetic concerns, such as:

In some instances, injectors can administer neuromodulators to treat the masseter muscles of the jaw, promoting a slimmer, more contoured face. For those who have more masseter enlargement on just one side of the face, this method of relaxing the muscle can be transformative to one’s appearance. The smoothening effects of these injections typically last 3 to 5 months, depending on the location of the injection and formulation of botulinum toxin.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a type of non-invasive treatment that applies ultrasound waves to invoke a skin-tightening effect on several areas of the face and neck. As the ultrasound energy comes into contact with the skin, it administers controlled heat to the dermis layer. This action stimulates more collagen and elastin fiber production and creates a contracting effect of existing collagen, slowly erasing many signs of aging post-procedure. Many patients find that just a single treatment session is enough to lift and firm the lax skin of the midface, jowls, neck, chin, and brows. Some results settle in immediately after, while more substantial line and wrinkle elimination takes place over the next few weeks following the session.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is another non-invasive treatment that utilizes cryolipolysis, a form of fat freezing. As the fat cells die from the extreme cold, they are then removed via the lymphatic system. Just like Ultherapy, this process can take time and create significant results weeks after the procedure. While it is most commonly catered to helping patients sculpt stubborn belly fat, love handles, and other areas of the body, your clinician can apply a smaller applicator called the Coolmini to slim down a “double chin” and accentuate the jawline. With the help of a protective gel, the CoolSculpting device is designed to leave your skin unharmed for the duration of the 30 to 45-minute procedure. Your clinician will not have to administer anesthesia since the device numbs the area with its controlled freezing effect on the tissue.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation at Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, you will have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Tanya Kormeili, Dr. Hootan Zandifar, or Dr. Maryam Safaee about attaining your ideal facial harmonization with one of our injectables or thread lift approaches. No matter what improvements you would like to make, we will ensure that you have an informative, thorough consultation appointment in which we will address all of your questions and concerns.

Our treatments are designed to boost your natural beauty, not conceal or mask it. Our physicians can also tailor them to smooth out aging skin in specific spots to restore balance, especially if one side of the face is affected more than the other. Replacing volume loss in areas that used to store more fat can restore a youthful look that is so highly sought-after.

To get started learning about minimally invasive options at our Santa Monica location, fill out our contact form or call (310) 526-8301 today.

Cost of Facial Harmonization Treatments in Santa Monica

The total cost of your treatments will depend on your personalized treatment plan. Dr. Kormeili, Dr. Zandifar, or Dr. Safaee will give you a total cost estimate during your consultation. If you would like to learn more about our other dermatological and anti-aging procedures, read through our blog. When you are ready, give us a call, and we will be happy to help set up your appointment as soon as possible.

References

1. Hwang K, Park CY. The Divine Proportion. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2021;Publish Ahead of Print. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000003419
2. Shaye DA. The science of art: Leonardo Da Vinci and facial plastic surgery. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery. 2020;28(4):195-200. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/moo.0000000000000643
3. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):253-258. doi:https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.21923
4. Marinho A, Nunes C, Reis S. Hyaluronic Acid: A Key Ingredient in the Therapy of Inflammation. Biomolecules. 2021;11(10):1518. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11101518
5. Jacovella PF. Use of calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®) for facial augmentation. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2008;3(1):161-174. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2544361/#:~:text=The%20average%20lasting%20result%20is
6. Wong V. The Science of Absorbable Poly(L-Lactide-Co-ε-Caprolactone) Threads for Soft Tissue Repositioning of the Face: An Evidence-Based Evaluation of Their Physical Properties and Clinical Application. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2021;14:45-54. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S274160