As mandatory mask-wearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been somewhat eased, the stuffiness caused by masks has disappeared. However, concerns about appearance complexes are increasing due to the issue of having to expose one's face. Furthermore, people who are self-conscious about their facial lines, such as chubby cheeks, prominent cheekbones, or a double chin, may find it difficult to improve them through diet and exercise alone.

In recent times, where appearance plays a crucial role in competitiveness, these shortcomings can be easily overcome through contouring injections. This is because if the facial lines have collapsed due to the development of a fat layer rather than bone structure, contouring injections can be highly effective.

What is a contouring injection? What kind of procedure is it?
Contouring injections are a procedure that literally shapes the facial contours by simply injecting fat-dissolving medication into the subcutaneous fat layer to reduce volume in the treated area. It tightens sagging skin on the cheeks, cheekbones, and jaw, and reduces a double chin to correct the face to look smaller and slimmer.

Contouring injections are popular among a wide range of people because they are suitable for various cases, such as sagging cheeks, excess fat around the cheekbones, round faces, unusually large amounts of fat on the face, loss of elasticity around the jaw, and situations where surgical procedures are burdensome.

In addition, unlike facial contouring surgery, which entails the burden of general anesthesia and a recovery period, contouring injections are relatively simple, taking only about 10 minutes per session, and place less burden on the patient, making them easily accessible to office workers, students, and others. Since it is a procedure rather than surgery, it alleviates the anxiety of having to cut one's face, and has the advantage of allowing patients to return to their daily lives immediately after the treatment.

What is the duration of the results and the re-treatment cycle after contouring injections?
While the duration of results and the frequency of re-treatment may vary from person to person, depending on the ingredients, a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments are recommended at intervals ranging from 1 to 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Repeated treatments help enhance the effects, and when the appropriate dosage is administered for the area, the results can last up to 6 to 8 months.

However, if you are considering contouring injections, you must consult with a medical specialist beforehand to accurately examine your facial features, shape, skin thickness, and skin condition before deciding whether to proceed. The active ingredients, dosages, and mixing methods of the medications vary widely from hospital to hospital, and the injections must be injected precisely into the fat layer to prevent side effects such as skin indentation. In particular, caution is required with steroids, as while excessive use initially produces immediate facial changes, injecting a large amount into the body at once can lead to side effects such as menstrual irregularities, osteoporosis, skin indentation, and skin atrophy.

It is advisable to decide whether to proceed with the procedure after a thorough consultation with experienced medical professionals. Additionally, since inflammation may occur after contouring injections, you should refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking for one week. You should also avoid stimulating places such as saunas and steam rooms for a week, and it is recommended to avoid frequently touching the treated area.

Written by Director Do Eon-rok (Plastic Surgeon)