Sumi Minami

Regarding hyaluronic acid injections, I've noticed certain trends in patient requests based on age group during daily consultations. For instance, those in their early 20s often seek injections into the tear troughs to achieve a cool-looking eye area. Patients who feel they've lost volume around the mouth or forehead with age frequently opt for injections into the lips or forehead. Injections into nasolabial folds or cheeks are also common to achieve a more youthful appearance.

In my hyaluronic acid injections, I analyze the patient's face from various angles before treatment to predict the outcome for each expression. After treatment, I aim for a natural result that looks as if it were always that shape. While hyaluronic acid injections offer an accessible solution for concerns like wrinkles and facial contours, misjudging the amount or placement can lead to an unnatural result. Therefore, I carefully adjust the injection volume to prevent an overly pronounced outcome.

Additionally, with hyaluronic acid injections, it is crucial to maximize the enhancement of the patient's natural facial features. Rather than focusing on isolated areas, we meticulously design treatments to harmonize the overall facial balance.

Thread lifts are another area of expertise for me. Thread lifts tighten the entire face and offer immediate lifting effects. In March 2024, I was appointed as the domestic opinion leader for the advanced thread lift, "ARTEMIS LIFT." ARTEMIS LIFT features a special structure that provides greater lifting power and longer-lasting results than conventional methods, making it a thread lift specifically suited to the bone structure and needs of Japanese individuals.

We will recommend the most suitable type and number of threads from our selection based on each patient's individual concerns and preferences. We can also customize combinations of several thread types according to facial areas and sagging conditions. This approach ensures beautiful lifting effects immediately after treatment and long-lasting results.

Thread lifts and other sagging treatments require regular maintenance, so we work with patients to create treatment plans that can be sustained within reasonable limits. Additionally, our clinic offers the option to combine thread lifts with surgical procedures to achieve highly satisfying results.

Buccal fat removal is a treatment that involves extracting and removing the fat pad known as buccal fat located deep within the central cheek area. This procedure aims to achieve a slimmer facial appearance and prevent sagging. The surgery involves making a 1-2 cm incision inside the mouth to remove the buccal fat, leaving no visible scars on the face. Swelling typically subsides within a few days.

Fat in the facial contours, including the buccal fat pads, tends to sag lower with age compared to younger years, leading to drooping. Before developing the so-called bulldog-like appearance, undergoing liposuction or buccal fat pad removal can help prevent age-related sagging.

The suitability of facial contouring surgery—that is, whether the treatment will benefit the patient—is of utmost importance. Therefore, we meticulously determine which areas to reduce fat and which to preserve, creating an appropriate design to achieve a beautiful result. When performing facial contouring surgery, we will also propose combining it with treatments for sagging skin using hyaluronic acid, thread lifts, or devices, as needed.