Prioritizing Facial Balance: Rethinking Nasolabial Fold Injections on the First Visit

Carin Litani, MD, challenged conventional approaches to facial rejuvenation in her thought-provoking session titled, “Stop Injecting the Nasolabial Folds (At Least During the First Visit)! Facial Balance First!,” at Dermatology Week Fall 2023. With her emphasis on understanding the intricacies of facial aging, Dr Litani encouraged a holistic perspective by teaching attendees to view the face as a harmonious unit, rather than isolated cosmetic subunits.

Dr Litani is the director of dermatologic surgery at Dermatology Partners, Inc. in Wellesley, MA. The learning objectives of her presentation included helping participants understand how the face ages, guiding them to look at the face as one unit, and providing insights on where to place filler for a natural balancing and refreshing effect, as opposed to simply filling in lines.

She urged clinicians to take their time with facial assessment, “Take multiple pictures at different angles and study them, as well as the patient, head on and show your patient their photos at different angles.” She recommended explaining to the patient that “addressing the face as a unit will keep them looking like themselves but with a more youthful balance.”

Dr Litani also suggested “starting from the top by providing structural support to the cheeks and lateral jawline first before addressing the chin complex.” She proposed “addressing ‘finishes’ after achieving structural support.”

“Combine facial balancing with injectables and laser,” she concluded.

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Reference:
Litani C. Stop injecting the nasolabial folds (at least during the first visit)! Facial balance first! Presented at: Dermatology Week; September 20–23; Virtual.