3-Part Q&A Series with Dr. Tina West
Dr. Tina B. West, founder of The West Institute, is a board-certified Dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery and body contouring procedures.
With her “Skip the Scalpel” philosophy, Dr. West utilizes the most advanced minimally invasive technology to maintain the health and appearance of the skin of the face and body in women and men for life.
In this three-part series, Dr. West will answer questions regarding her mission and goals when treating patients, some of the most popular procedures at The West Institute, her “Skip the Scalpel” philosophy and much more.
What Are Some Popular Misconceptions About Fillers and Botox?
Answer: Most people assume that fillers result in an unnatural appearance and are concerned that they will look different.
With my trademarked technique, “Facelift in a Syringe,” facial volume is replaced in the exact areas where it has been lost, resulting in a natural appearance.
I see every patient for a follow-up visit, and it’s extremely gratifying when patients tell me that they love what they see in the mirror and that “nobody knows they had anything done,” only that they look fresher.
Another misconception about filler is that it is high-maintenance and that once you start, you are committed to having it done with great frequency.
Patients are surprised when I tell them that they can maintain a rested, relaxed, youthful appearance by coming just once a year for volume replacement. One of the greatest qualities of the hyaluronic-acid based dermal fillers is that they last much longer than originally predicted.
We see a cumulative result over years, likely because the fillers signal our own cells to produce more collagen. That is why replacing volume once a year, as it’s lost, works out so well in the longterm.
My mission is to help my patients maintain a fresh, rested look over time. Patients come to me because they feel like they are starting to look tired, because they notice that their face is drooping, or they are frequently asked why they are angry when they aren’t.
The irony is that the more people work out and maintain their bodies, the more volume loss there is in the face. Volume loss, not gravity, is the real reason that skin starts to sag with aging.
If you think of a table and tablecloth, if the table is shrinking, the table cloth will be “too big” and will no longer fit. The same thing happens with the skin-–with shrinking bone, fat, muscle and collagen that occurs with the natural aging process, the skin becomes relatively too big and starts to hang down.
When patients come in complaining of looking tired and having drooping skin or jowls, I show them photos that demonstrate how the youthful curve of the cheek is flattened with aging. Then I show them a large variety of “before and after” photos representing how the clock turns back 5-10 years when volume is restored to areas that have deflated over time.
With dermal fillers placed by an experienced injector, we can use the natural, sugar-based substance called hyaluronic acid to restore youthful facial contours.
Part 1 of the Q&A with Dr. West
Part 2 of the Q&A with Dr. West
Dr. West Talks Mom Genes Campaign, Prejuvenation and More!
To schedule your consultation with Dr. West, call 301-986-9378 (WEST) today!
About Dr. West
Dr. Tina B. West, founder of the West Institute, has served as a consultant and injectable trainer for Allergan and Galderma, training other physicians in advanced treatment techniques using Restylane, Perlane, Scupltra and Dysport as well as Botox.
Dr. West is a board-certified Dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery and body contouring procedures.
Dr. West participated in the original phase III FDA clinical trials for the approval of Botox.
The West Institute
5530 Wisconsin Avenue #925
Chevy Chase, MD20815
Phone: 301-986-9378