How important is skin preparation and post-procedure care? Is it even necessary to do anything once the desired result has been achieved? Dr. Mart Eller, who performs aesthetic injections and plastic surgeries at Kotka Private Hospital Plastic Surgery Center, helps find the answers.
As an aesthetic surgeon, how much do you believe in the necessity of vitamin intake before and after surgery?
Wholesome nutrition is the basis of human health and appearance. From a balanced diet, we should get all the necessary nutrients and vitamins for life. There are references and recommendations in medical literature for postoperative vitamin and mineral administration. For people in Nordic countries, vitamin D and B-group vitamins are certainly important; from an aesthetic surgical point of view, vitamin C is definitely important as well. In the case of the latter, it is not recommended to exceed the daily norm – it is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. If we constantly consume overdoses, we unnecessarily burden the kidneys, which have to excrete acidic residues from the body. Fat-soluble antioxidant vitamins A and E are also important.
What can thwart the results of successful plastic surgery?
The reasons are varied. From the perspective of wound healing, the harmfulness of smoking should definitely be highlighted. Smoking causes the constriction of small blood vessels. Thus, normal blood circulation is inhibited, which leads to slower wound healing.
How important is skin preparation and recovery with facial treatments?
Well-cared-for and prepared skin creates a favorable ground for wound healing, reduces swelling and other postoperative complications. Lymphatic massage is increasingly valued as part of postoperative recovery. In addition, pleasant treatment procedures also have a relaxing and anti-stress effect.
When talking about botulinum therapy, it is often forgotten to mention to the patient that botulinum injections inhibit the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands and cause skin dryness. Therefore, the skin needs more effective hydration. Otherwise, when the effect of the injections wears off, a more withered and wrinkled skin will be reflected in the mirror.
Botulinum toxin does not care for or hydrate the skin, but rather inhibits the mimicry that causes unwanted wrinkles. Especially the skin around the eyes suffers from inadequate care after botulinum injections performed to alleviate “crow’s feet”. Proper skincare is elementary and goes hand in hand with invasive procedures!
Source: Katrin Rasmann, BUDUAAR, March – April 2019
