Hong Kiwoong, M.D.

Director

SAMSKIN Plastic Surgery, Seoul Korea

 

To create an attractive face, a balanced treatment approach is just as important as a balance between facial features. The interpersonal relationship between the patient and the medical staff would be an important factor. In this light, the ‘Harmony Program’ was developed in Europe for patients receiving minimally invasive procedures to offer a total approach, consultation and management service. In this program, a treatment plan is first established based on the patient’s self assessment and consultation with the medical staff. Then, the treatment plan is communicated to the patient and the actual treatment is carried out according to the methods that the patient chooses. Finally, the post-treatment follow up is planned.

To take a closer look at the Harmony Program, in Step 1, a standardized survey and consultation with the medical staff collect information about the patient including medical history, expectations from the procedure, patient’s self assessment of his or her face, requirements, personality, and even financial status. In Step 2, the medical staff perform an objective analysis of the patient’s face focusing on symmetry, volume, sagging, degree of wrinkles, skin condition, etc. based on the above mentioned standards of beauty. Based on this analysis, the treatment plan is established about the treatment area, the choice of product and dosage, and the need for a combination with botulinum toxin, laser, or thread, etc. Then, the final consultation is carried out with the manager or nurse regarding the details of treatment including the price.

 

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The following should be considered when devising a detailed treatment plan; whether the patient wants the change to be drastic or subtle, fears about the treatment including pain, bleeding, swelling or ecchymosis, etc., the amount of filler or botulinum toxin products the patient can afford, the type of filler products and injection dosage, and need for other treatments.

Finally, to distinguish the recommended procedures in the West from what is preferred in Korea, it is necessary to understand the differences between Caucasians and Asians. Caucasians generally prefer a narrow face with striking features, and an angular jawline. On the other hand, Asians have wider and plain faces with less prominent outlines of features and prefer a narrow and rounded jawline than an angular one. They prefer a dainty and rounded outline rather than angular protrusions. As Asians have thicker and harder skin than Caucasians, overall volume enhancement requires a hard filler with good viscosity and elasticity. Asians have tough subcutaneous tissues and intricate vasculature which increase the risk of serious vascular complications or necrosis, etc. Therefore understanding of anatomically safe injection entry points and treatment areas, etc. is necessary to avoid side effects.

 

-The End-