Skin Strengthening by Fern Pattern Technique
Hate those dreaded jowls? Do you complain of "Mick Jagger" smile lines? Those puppet lines that make you look sad or angry?
Did you know there is a solution that doesn’t "bulk" you up, rather it leaves your skin thicker and healthier?
Understanding the Problem
The areas of the face that move a lot—the area around the mouth and lips, the sides of the lower face, and around the eyes—are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. Over time these lines, which initially are called "dynamic folds" because they involve areas of the face that move a lot, may become noticeable even at rest (static rhytids).
Because these folds move whenever one has any form of facial expression, they have been challenging to treat. In the past, too much filler was used in the deeper part of the skin hoping to fill in the space in front of the fold. This simply didn’t work and tended to use up a lot of filler, leaving one looking too full.
The Innovation Behind the Technique
After a lot of thought about both the problem and the physics of how filler leaves a needle tip, a dermatologist by the name of Tom van Eijk proposed a method to use filler as a skin stiffening agent, rather than a filler with the goal of providing optimal correction for any lines that deepen with expressive facial movements.
The technique has been termed the "Fern Pattern Technique" because the filler placement resembles a fern when complete. Visualize the fold as the stem, and the leafy fronds are represented by the filler. Very small amounts of product are placed into the skin.
Choosing the Right Filler
I then took this technique and tested various dermal fillers to see if there were any differences in performance. While more flexible fillers worked well, there were some subtle differences, so I choose a filler based on the thickness and moisture content of the patient.
What To Expect
To summarize, the filler is used as a stiffening agent and not a traditional "filler," so anyone who is "afraid of filler" or "not ready for filler" will need to understand that our goals are different. Think of it as a skin treatment.
After the initial treatment, we will reevaluate the treated area at 8–12 weeks to see if additional treatment is necessary. Because treatment areas are very dynamic, there is an expectation that treatment will need to be repeated annually.
Side effects are minor and include mild discomfort during the treatment and post-injection bruising. Bruising is very individualized and tends to resolve in 3–7 days depending on the individual.
