Are you suffering from gym face?

The Times article featuring surgeon Mr Miles Berry 

Cosmetic Surgery Partners have recently introduced a brand new treatment to their already long list of non-surgical treatments on offer. Sculptra, a facial injectable that makes the skin look fresher and younger by restoring the skin’s natural contours, smoothing out wrinkles, creases and folds.  The injection stimulates the growth of the skin’s natural collagen, which then replenishes lost volume in the face and stops the process of ageing.

The Sculptra process is very gradual, and gives a more natural looking appearance without giving the game away. Unlike other ‘dermal fillers’ which simply get injected to plump and smooth certain areas of the face, Sculptra is what our surgeons refer to as a ‘bio-stimulator’, which promotes the growth of naturally occurring collagen.

Patients will undergo a series of treatments – an average of 3 injection sessions with an interval of 4 to 6 weeks between each session. The results of Sculptra can last for more than 2 years. Both our expert surgeons Miles Berry MS, FRCS (Plast) and Nick Percival FRCS carry out this procedure at the clinic.

Is over exercising leaving your face sunken and gaunt?

The Times recently published an article about how over-exercising can cause, what they have described it, ‘gym face’. When a person in their thirties starts to work out heavily, they’ll start to lose weight from the places they desire; however it also affects the ‘weight’ on the face. The plumpness of the face will disappear and the face will start to look drawn, with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. This is something that has become extremely common in people who cycle, row or run a lot. Clinics have reported a 20% rise in the number of men receiving dermal fillers over the past two years.

Our expert surgeon Miles Berry tells The Times that he has seen this happen to male friends and colleagues. “One male surgeon I know has lost three stone after taking up cycling. He now has a great body but looks gaunt. You can always tell the hard-core exercisers because they generally look older than they should when they first walk in.”

Hollywood has also seen its fair share of ‘gym faces’, and every star over 40 now has a personal dermatologist. Actors are constantly yo-yo dieting and over-exercising in order to be the correct weight for certain roles, which can have a detrimental effect on their faces, like Matthew McConaughey and Jake Gyllenhaal for example.

Our patient, 40 year old Phil Walker from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire went through the exact same thing, which is why he opted to undergo Sculptra treatment at Cosmetic Surgery Partners with Nick Percival. A few years ago, Phil decided to get fit and took up jujitsu and lifting weights. Although he was getting fit and losing weight, Phil started to age because of the loss of volume in his face.

From a patients point of view

Phil talked to The Times about his experience: “It was fine to start with, but I got seriously into the jujitsu and it’s a very vigorous martial art that burns shed-loads of calories. I looked muscular and well-built, but ancient as all the exercise left me drawn”. Phil’s other half frequently watches body makeover programmes, and suggested that Phil had a dermal filler in his face to restore the plumpness. Phil then had Sculptra in his jaws, across his temple and in his cheeks. “It wasn’t immediately noticeable, but I had the final lot in October and everyone is commenting on how healthy I look. I feel better about myself in the knowledge that I can keep training but not look 90 as a result”.

Miles tells The Times that a good surgeon is needed to prevent the injectable from going wrong: “With any fillers, the key is to be cautious. In the wrong hands an injectable can leave a man looking very feminine with too high cheekbones and full lips, while women just look hamster-cheeked. You need a good surgeon.”

If you think Sculptra might be the right treatment for you why not make a booking to see one of our surgeons or give us a call today! 020 7486 6778 our staff will be happy to answer your questions!

Sculptra treatment at Cosmetic Surgery Partners from patients point of view

Cosmetic surgeon Mr Nick Percival explains the why Sculptra was the best solution for Phil’s case of ‘Gym-face’