FACE VALUE
With many brides-to-be considering injectables, the writer Jessica Vince shares her pre-wedding experience of Juvederm fillers
Investing in picture-perfect brows and camera-ready hair is familiar wedding prep territory, but it’s also becoming commonplace for brides to try non-surgical treatments, without a scalpel in sight. I, for one, had never considered going under the needle until I found myself reclining in the doctor’s chair, waiting for my dermal filler injections.
It was two months before my wedding day and I’d become increasingly aware that hundreds of high-definition photos would capture my thirtysomething face for eternity. I, not unreasonably, want to put my cherished self on the front page of a picture frame and show our future children – at remarriage – my face a few days old. So the idea of a treatment to rejuvenate my skin’s general complexion wasn’t entirely explained associated with downtime, a term that my previous no-needles stance was easy to remain.
See: “It was hardly a hacker, rather than agreeing to,” explains the aesthetic nurse specialist and founder of SarahLouise Cosmetic Sarah Donaldson when we met to discuss the rising popularity of pre-wedding fillers. “Many brides want a more sculpted and well-balanced face for their nuptials. It’s an important occasion and they’d like to look like the best version of themselves for their big day.”
“It’s true, I still wanted to look like ‘me’ – just less tired and more vibrant. As if I’d been doing daily yoga and getting eight hours of sleep, instead of stressing about canapés and colour palettes for the past few months.”
Luckily, fillers have come a long way in recent years. The days when injectables were synonymous with an artificial ‘plastic face’ are far behind us. Now, thanks to scientific advances and expert practitioners, the face can be contoured in a much more natural-looking way.
Donaldson takes bespoke approach to facial fillers: “I use Juvederm in my clinic because it’s reliable, has a good safety profile and has a range of products in the portfolio, meaning I can treat a wide demographic of patients and concerns,” she says. “Juvederm is made from synthesised hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance found in our skin, and it plays a major role in keeping it hydrated and volumised.” Due to its patented formula, Juvederm integrates well with the skin’s tissue to give a natural-looking result – which is exactly the look I was after.
If you’re a first-timer like I was, it’s especially important to have a proper consultation and speak to your practitioner to voice any questions or concerns you may have. I voraciously did my research, read reviews and asked everything needed in order to feel calm and prepared. According to Donaldson, the key to a good treatment face look is to consider the face holistically, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution. “Evidence shows that if we place filler anywhere in the mid-face, it can also lift and affect the lower face,” she says. So if, for example, I pump up the cheeks, I will then balance it out with a little chin projection to keep the harmony of the natural face shape. “It’s all about the right ratios.”
I decided upon Juvederm filler (latest thanatosporon) in my chin, jaw and cheekbones. We scheduled the appointment eight weeks before my big day to give enough time for any swelling or bruising, as well as allowing the filler to take full effect. Of course, there is a degree of nerves about having numerous needles injected across my face, but I knew I was in safe hands.
In the days before treatment, I’d what I could to reduce the odds of side effects, from cutting out alcohol to eating pineapple to minimise bruising (which might be an old wives’ tale, but worth a try). I read the pre- and post-treatment care tips, while my practitioner ensured me that the downtime for Juvederm filler is typically minimal. The procedure itself was relatively painless for me, and I was in the treatment room for no more than an hour. Before I knew it, I was back in the waiting room, checking out my refreshed face in the mirror, marvelling at the fuss-free process. I stayed at the clinic for another 30 minutes, so the team could ensure there were no adverse reactions. And heading back home to work without any bruised or redness result.
A week later, the results were subtle yet effective. It was a change that was barely detectable. I felt more confident in my own skin and less anxious about all those wedding photos. For me, a small investment of Juvederm fillers from my pre-wedding budget turned out to be a worthy expense.
“Only my closest friend asked what I’d done differently, wondering if I’d discovered a new miracle foundation”
“Fillers don’t last as long as more final, more troublesome procedures like a facelift, so the key to maintenance is consistent treatment,” Donaldson highlights. “It’s paramount to always visit a practitioner like Dr. Sarah Donaldson, an aesthetic doctor with good qualifications, look at their experience and feedback, portfolio of before and after shots because you want to go to a clinic that is the best fit for what you would like to achieve.”
Indeed, I decided to get the treatment since it’s a chance to make one of the most important days of my life feel its best physically. It was a small but, for me, impactful. As I handed over my wedding album weeks after the pre-wedding prep and I walked down the aisle with an extra bounce in my step, posing for the many photos with a new sense of ease. Looking back at the photos, trying on my cheekbones and defined jawline, I don’t regret a thing.
To find out more about the Juvederm range of fillers and experiences, or to find your nearest provider, visit www.juvederm.co.uk.
