Technically speaking, our genetics have been programmed to develop a face that is perfect symmetrical but issues like age (urgh), disease (urgh??), and parasites (urgh???) can cause imperfections aka asymmetry. However, no matters what people might say about facial asymmetry and its perceived lower-in-attractiveness quality, beauty can’t be based just on an arbitrary data point.
After all, total facial symmetry has the potential to look off-putting, a fact that Doctor Sii of SOL Aesthetics (he is one of eight trainers for botox and fillers) agrees on. Here, he talks facial symmetry, the power of Profhilo and the next frontier of injectables.
Hello Dr. Sii, how’s it going?
Hi Bryan, I’m very well, so glad to have time to take this interview.
One question I like to ask first-time interviewees would be to get them to explain what they do in 10 words or less so if you could kindly entertain me.
With medical integrity and precision, I improve looks and self-confidence.
What is the perfect facial symmetry? You know how whenever we use Photoshop and we “flip” one side of the face to the other and it kind of looks weird?
In theory, facial symmetry is a key contributing factor to visual attractiveness. Yet, that is often not the case in real life – in actual clinical practice, aesthetic doctors maintain that all of us have asymmetrical faces, so you’re absolutely right about a perfectly symmetrical face looking really awkward.
In fact, if you scrutinise the faces of visually attractive people, they’re asymmetrical even if you have never noticed them all this while.
Because of this knowledge, I seek to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, and overall harmonious and natural look instead of trying to “fix” facial asymmetry. Perhaps a more fitting word that encompasses what many of us try to attain is “balance”. Even in severe cases of traumatic accidents, the focus on facial symmetry shifts to trying to realise a pleasing aesthetic once the face is reasonably balanced.
View this post on Instagram
I understand you’re one of eight trainers for botox and fillers: what was the process like to become one? I’d like to ask too, how did you practice to become one?
It was a long process. I mean, really long. To qualify as an appointed trainer in injectables, it takes years of diligently working with education-oriented companies such as Allergan, numerous injection trainings and aesthetic conferences here and abroad, and practising daily during my own clinic hours.
My work through the years has always been focused on injections, so I almost do live and breathe injectables. I do believe the industry rewards dedication and effort, and patients see the result of that.
Profhilo has been such a popular treatment but I’m wondering, do you have a special technique that you developed yourself? Or is there a way you perform it that makes you super good at it?
Yes, it’s been very popular – one of the most requested treatments in the last couple of years. As a doctor and an injector, I ask myself each time: How do I make full use of a great product for optimal results?
There are standard ways to employ every product. As an expert, my experience and each patient’s preferences and feedback inform the techniques I choose to use for the outcome they desire.
Beyond the 10 points on a face, is there anywhere else you can inject Profhilo? If so, do you have a specific example?
Profhilo is a skin rejuvenation treatment. Therefore, it can literally be injected in skin anywhere as long as it’s safe to do so. The other common areas where I often use Profhilo are the neck, upper chest, back of the hands, and abdominal skin to improve skin laxity, hydration and overall skin quality.
View this post on Instagram
For the male patients you treat, which is the most common place they want Profhilo injected into? And based on that place, what is the reason why?
The most common Profhilo treatment area is the face because facial skin gets exposed to UV radiation and other environmental damage the most. It is the same for male patients as well. The reason is simple – we care about our face the most when it comes to looking good.
In addition, men generally have poor facial skin quality, larger pores and more acne scars due to male hormones and poorer self-care. Common skin conditions that will benefit from Profhilo treatment are dehydrated and sun-damaged skin, skin of loose or lax skin quality, fine lines and wrinkles, large pores and acne scars.
Other common areas of Profhilo treatment in men are the neck and back of the hands.
View this post on Instagram
Under what circumstances would you reject a patient?
Experience with patients over the years has taught me to learn to firmly say no for the benefit of the patient. I most often reject patients when they have unrealistic expectations. I make sure to spend ample time on consultation during the first visit to establish their real needs.
One of the key red flags is when a patient shows signs of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a serious mental health condition that causes one unduly and excessively worry about very minor flaws in their appearance. I advise them to see a psychiatrist instead of taking them in.
Another red flag is when a patient seeks to “fix” unnoticeable asymmetry to achieve “perfect” symmetry. As mentioned previously, I do not believe in perfect facial symmetry because it does not exist. In addition, a balanced and natural look is way more attractive.
What do you think is going to be the next frontier of injectables?
Injections such as botox and fillers have been around for a while. They are safe, effective and most importantly, they work consistently. I don’t see these injectables being replaced by another form of injections anytime soon.
However, skin rejuvenation injectables are getting more popular and more acceptable over the last few years. The next frontier of injectables is going to be collagen based injectables for skin rejuvenation.
Lastly, another question I love to ask first-time interviewees, do you know the #1 song on your Spotify most played last year?
I rarely use Spotify although I have an account! Unfortunately, or fortunately, I am still using good-ol CDs. My most played album last year was Jay Chou’s first album “Jay” from the year 2000!
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our September 2022 issue!
RELATED ARTICLES
