Satisfying patient expectations with soft-tissue augmentation

The popularity of cosmetic procedures for rejuvenating the face has undergone enormous growth over the past few years, such that at least one in four cosmetic procedures involves the use of soft-tissue augmentation. Of note is the trend away from surgical interventions and toward noninvasive cosmetic procedures, which now account for the majority of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Adult patients of all ages are selecting soft-tissue augmentation, either as a precursor to or a substitute for surgery; there is a trend toward the use of injectable devices in younger patients (aged 35 - 50 years). Patients in different age groups have diverse treatment needs ranging from the correction of fine lines and wrinkles in younger patients to volume restoration in older patients. Thus, the treatment needs will dictate the treatment approach, particularly with injectable filler treatments. The aesthetic physician needs to help the patient understand and select the most appropriate rejuvenating treatment based on a variety of factors, specifically, patient age, motivating factors, timing, cosmetic area to be addressed, and desired outcome. This article suggests a series of steps to help determine the most appropriate approach for volume restoration with injectable devices for satisfying patient treatment expectations.