The earlobe
The idea? With age, this area, which is rarely scrutinized, loses its substance. Although they are rarely a priority, ears are also a sign of aging that years and the wearing of heavy earrings can make unsightly. “It’s an area of the face that ages like the rest of the skin, explains Dr. Thomas Colson, cosmetic surgeon at Clinique Sainte-Victoire in Aix-en-Provence. We do not protect it from the sun, we do not hydrate it and over time the area withers and loses volume. It doesn’t necessarily strike the eye, but it’s actually part of facial rejuvenation. »
The process. In the United States, we speak of “eartox”, a practice which consists of injecting hyaluronic acid into the lobes. “It’s a fairly simple technique that simply consists of injecting, in consultation, hyaluronic acid in the area until the desired result is obtained. »
We try if? There are no contraindications to injections, namely inflammatory skin lesions. The injection itself takes a few minutes and the results are visible for about 1 year. Count between 350 and 500€.
The back of the hand
The idea? After the face and the neck, the hands are the new target of dermatologists, doctors and cosmetic surgeons. The reason ? An area very exposed to the sun, much less hydrated which over time loses its thickness. The tendons, bones and veins are more marked and the hands become a true sign of age.
The process. Either in the operating room with lipofilling of the hands, which consists of an injection of the patient’s fat taken during liposuction (in the buttocks, thighs, stomach) then reinjected on the back of the hand. “This solution has the advantage of being permanent,” explains Dr. Colson. But it requires that the person treated has enough fat to remove to be able to reinject, and also a visit to the operating room which is more restrictive. Another option: hyaluronic acid, again, in consultation, with a simple anesthetic cream. “The back of the hand is much less sensitive than the palm, the injections there are not very painful. We deposit hyaluronic acid with a cannula on 4 or 5 entry points and coat the entire surface of the hand to restore volume to the surfaces that have lost it. »
We try if? The skin on his hands is found to have atrophied over time. We especially take the opportunity to have a dermatologist check the appearance of brown spots (or senile lentigo) which can be treated by laser or peeling. For injections of hyaluronic acid, count between 500 and 600€ of injections. Since the hands are very stressed, the results may last less than on other parts of the body (between 8 months and 1 year).
Armpits
The idea? We imagined Botox reserved for the upper third of the face, to correct wrinkles caused by muscle contraction by neutralizing their action. Fake. In recent years, botulinum toxin has also been used in other indications, in particular to correct excessive sweating. Cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists now offer to inject botulinum toxin into the armpits.
The process. Still not widely used, the technique is nevertheless quite simple and effective. Although expensive (between 350 and 700€). “We are going to coat the entire armpit area with botulinum toxin, that is to say about thirty bites; in order to treat the entire surface and block nerve transmission to the sweat glands, those which secrete sweat, explains Dr. Thomas Colson. It is a treatment that really drastically reduces perspiration, up to 90%. In addition, it has been shown that the duration of action of botulinum toxin was greater on this area than on the face, the results can last from 6 to 8 months. »
We try if? We suffer from hyperhidrosis, like 1 to 3% of the French population. If it has been diagnosed by the doctor, the injections are reimbursed by Social Security. Or if, without being pathological, this excessive sweating becomes uncomfortable. Is it dangerous to block perspiration in one place? No, replies Dr. Thomas Colson. “The armpits represent 2 to 3% of total body sweat. It is not serious not to sweat in one place and it does not necessarily mean that this perspiration will « spill over » to another area. » Note that the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet can also be treated. “But these are very sensitive areas and the injections can be quite painful. »
Soles of the feet
The idea? The technique is called footlift. It bears its name rather badly since it is not a question of restoring a rejuvenated aspect to the foot, but of firming up the tissues at the level of the metatarsal heads to eliminate pain in the forefoot. “Under the toes, the skin is thin and the fatty tissue can shrink over time, especially if you often wear heels. When we walk, we carry 30% of the body weight on the forefoot. A figure that rises to 90% when walking on a 10cm heel! Anatomically, the foot is not made for this. »
The process. Reinforce the pads and support areas to eliminate pain. “The demand is more functional than aesthetic,” says Dr. Thomas Colson. It may also concern patients who are professionally required to wear high-heeled shoes. » Hyaluronic acid is injected into the foot pad at the support areas. « Resumption of walking is possible immediately, you just have to avoid the heels for a few days », explains the specialist.
We try if? The dress code of our box requires us to be perched on heels of 10 and more. Or if it is simply an aesthetic choice. In case of very intense pain, we turn to an orthopedic surgeon for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
The point G
The idea? Warning: subject with high potential controversy. In the 2000s in the United States, a new technique was born, consisting of injecting collagen taken from women, purified and then reinjected into the female erectile zone. Today, many practitioners suggest using hyaluronic acid, injected into the supposedly most erogenous zone of the vagina in order to thicken the tissues and thus amplify the sensations during penetration.
The process. How to target an area whose mere existence is still debated by researchers? “Although it is obviously not an on/off button, there is still a zone, well described and scientifically documented, more innervated and erectile at the level of the anterior wall of the vagina, along the path of urethra, » explains Dr. Colson. In cases of desire disorder or absence of orgasm, the area can therefore be thickened thanks to injections of hyaluronic acid. Performed in the office, the injection requires a gynecological consultation to assess the presence of vulvo-vaginal infections and disinfection during the preceding days.
We try if? We took the time to take tweezers. Indeed, if the technique in itself is not very painful, there are still few studies which make it possible to determine its real effectiveness. And unlike injections in other parts of the body, those aimed at stimulating the « G-spot » play on the psychological cord. Moreover, the product having a limited lifespan before being biodegraded naturally, the potential effects will be limited in time, for a significant cost (between 800 and 2000€ according to the practitioners). “The importance of the psychological is very important, we should not miss the real subject, analyzes Dr. Thomas Colson. Moreover, I find it more logical that a gynecologist be consulted rather than a plastic surgeon who can question the patient but also do a real clinical examination of the area, the tone of the vagina, hydration, etc. It’s their specialty. »
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