A lot of us find ageing intimidating. It is particularly true for celebrities and film stars as theirs is an industry that glorifies good looks. While a healthy diet and an exercise routine is recommended as the ideal way to age gracefully, some choose to opt for cosmetic surgery to fill out fine lines, wrinkles and look young. Recently Hollywood actor Courtney Cox revealed that she got her facial fillers removed. Facial fillers or dermal fillers are non-invasive procedures that help iron out fine lines in your face. These fillers can help your face and skin look plumper and younger.
While this is a great revelation, especially from an actor, here is what you need to know about cosmetic procedures and reversing them.
Sometimes people opt for cosmetic procedures and later wish to undo them— either because they are not satisfied with the result or they just want to look their old, natural self. Either way, it is possible to reverse certain cosmetic procedures. “Certain cosmetic procedures like Hyaluronic dermal fillers injected for augmentation of facial features like lips, cheeks, chin, forehead and nose can be reversed,” says Mumbai-based cosmetic physician, Jamuna Pai.
However, care should be taken to go to cosmetic surgeons who know sufficiently about the procedure and the reversal. Choose a doctor who can give you more insight about what could happen if you reverse a procedure. However, don't be in a hurry to get a procedure undone as soon as you are home from the clinic. The results may not look as desired until the skin has healed. But if you really want to go back to your natural self, you should opt for a reversal.
“If the filler injected is a Hyaluronic acid filler, there is a protein enzyme —hyaluronidase— which helps dissolve the injected filler safely,” says Pai. But, if you don't want to go for a reversal procedure, you can wait for them to dissolve. “Since these fillers are biodegradable, the reversal happens over a period of time,” she adds.
Certain procedures like brow lifts and upper eyelid surgery where skin from the upper eyelid is removed are difficult to reverse. So, think carefully before you opt for these. Eyebrow lifts are meant to make us look more awake, but might make us looking permanently surprised or angry. Rhinoplasty or nose surgery, too, is difficult to reverse. So, you will really need to think hard about the shape of your nose before you opt for this one. “A lip filler done can be reversed safely, mid-face augmentation, chin augmentation, non-surgical rhinoplasty, forehead filler, fillers done on the temporal hollow, filler injected in the under eye area, all can be reversed safely. Surgical cosmetic procedures like a breast implant, too, can be reversed by opting to have the implant removed surgically,” says Pai.
So, if you still feel ready to reverse any cosmetic procedure, it would be wise to have realistic expectations. Remember that your skin might sag again— your smile lines and crows feet might make a reappearance. In short, be ready to embrace the effects of ageing. Look for a good surgeon with years of experience behind them. Don't let the internet or friends misguide you.
“As with any cosmetic procedure, the reversal of the procedure should also be done at the hands of a board certified, experienced and qualified doctor. Do not be in a haste to reverse the procedure as some of the treatments done take a few days to settle and show the full effect. If you chose to intervene before that, you may end up dissatisfied. But of course if there is pain, swelling, discomfort, you need to contact the doctor immediately. Once reversed (dissolved), do not get the filler injected back in the same area for at least a period of two weeks,” advises Pai.
Finally, pat yourself on the back in your bid to look all natural.
