Can modern medicine offer a 'quick solution' which won't interfere with our short-term plans and allow for enjoying the changes in the future?

Doctor Wojciech Wacłowicz:

It's a difficult problem, since - when planning changes in our appearance - we ought to look at ourselves in perspective. Quick decisions and sudden acts can complicate the therapy. Just like with a house renovation - we don't do anything randomly, but at each stage we plan the next one.

When thinking of beauty improvement, we should take into account all the elements that influence it.  Our appearance is a product of many elements: skin type, face shape, shape and placement of the nose, eyes and lips and all the changes that come with aging, like wrinkles. To improve one's appearance one can use cosmetic treatments, non-invasive surgery or typical plastic surgery.

Do women most often complain about wrinkles?

Indeed, face wrinkles are the basic problem - and the main task for plastic surgery. The chosen method of treatment depends on both the type of wrinkles and the age of the patient. There are two types of facial wrinkles - one type ('mimic wrinkles') is caused by muscle action, and the other ('gravitational wrinkles') is caused by skin slackness and movement of fatty tissue which models the face.  

Let's imagine that skin is a piece of paper. If we fold it and then unfold and smooth it there won't be any folding mark left. But if we fold it hundreds of times, it won't be smooth ever again. That's how mimic wrinkles appear. Neutralizing such muscle effects in some facial areas smoothens the skin and prevents wrinkle appearance. This can be achieved through injection of an agent containing botulinum toxin. Appropriate use of such agents is completely safe and does not lead to non-mimical (fixed) face, as some people say. After the treatment patients keep full control of their faces and can express any emotion they wish. Usually forehead, eye-areas and the area between eyebrows undergo the treatment. In some cases, botulinum toxin can be used for modeling the shape of the face.

What is the age limit for undergoing a botox treatment?

There isn't any, because mimical wrinkles appearance doesn't depend on age. The period when such changes occur differs and depends on genetic predisposition, but also very much on a lifestyle. Prolonged stress and cigarettes undoubtedly cause premature skin aging.

And in such cases Botox won't work?

In such cases we use agents which smoothen the skin by filling wrinkles. Hialuron acid is the most popular substance, it is also very safe to use. Apart from skin-smoothening, it is also excellent for modeling and enlarging lips, and it is important to remember that shapely lips draw attention and make other beauty shortcomings appear less conspicuous. Hialuron acid is also used for non-surgical breast enlargement.


However, not everything can be corrected through non-invasive procedures. In the case of extensive changes, only surgical treatment can help. Usually it doesn't take long to recover after an operation, but sometimes a 4-week period might not be enough.  Possible complications must be also taken into account, even though they happen extremely seldom, but a potential patient must be aware of such possibility.

You've mentioned face shape as an important part of our appearance...

An ideal face is triangular and is typical for young people. The triangle is created by cheek bones, malar bones and narrow chin. People who lost such shape can use fillers, for example into the malar bone area, and the face will look younger and prettier.

What else can be improved without problems?

Eye area, for example eyelids. When there is too much skin there, eyes seem sad and tired. This problem can be easily solved. Five days after the treatment of skin removal, the stitches are taken off and 2-3 weeks later make up can be applied

What would be your advice for a patient who comes to you today and demands to have her appearance improved quickly?

First of all, I'd advise calm! Nerves and anxiety influence our appearance a lot! Beauty improvement must be reasonable, you can't expect changes no matter what. The decision must be made with understanding of both your own expectations and of the chosen method. Sometimes a patient comes with a concrete demand: 'I want a filler' or 'I want botox' and then it turns out that such method is not what she really expects. When she read or heard about it, she heard what she wanted, ignoring important facts. Remember there might be not only a potential disappointment with the results, but also considerable cost involved.

Do you ever suggest to patients what they should change in their faces?

No, I never do that. I try to understand their expectations and explain possibilities and limitations of available methods. It is the patient who must define the problem. My role is choosing the right treatment and preserving the face's harmony. Aesthetics is very subjective. Like in art, beauty can be interpreted in many ways and I don't think that my interpretation is the only correct one. If the patient accepts their appearance, why should I suggest any changes? The only thing I can suggest is that no matter what beauty treatment you choose, you shouldn’t forget about a smile. It costs little, and has a great beautifying effect.

Thank you for the interview!

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