Aesthetics by Silvie is a professional medical service that offers rejuvenating non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments and skincare. Silviya Ivanova is the lead clinician and founder of Aesthetics by Silvie. She holds a remarkable background with a MSc Public Health, BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Midwifery and is certified in Nurse Independent Prescribing with additional training in medical aesthetics treatments. We interviewed Silviya to get a detailed insight into aesthetics treatments and Silviya’s service at the Maple Leaf Clinic.
Could you tell us a little about facial aesthetics and how treatments work?
The facial aesthetic treatments, I offer, are mainly medically based procedures that restore and rejuvenate the face. The medically based, injectable treatments work to improve and enhance facial features and replenish lost volume by hydrating, defining, and reshaping facial contours. Results manifest as subtle but noticeable enhancement to the overall look of the face. The two main treatments are Botox and Dermal filler injections. Botox (botulinum toxin) is a prescription only medications which works on muscles to relax them, thereby helping to smooth out wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions, such as crow’s feet (around the eyes), frown and forehead lines. Dermal fillers can be used to fill lines and folds (such as nasolabial lines), to replace lost volume (as in the cheeks) and to contour and shape facial features such as the lips, nose, chin and jawline. A different type of dermal fillers, often called skin boosters, can be used to re-hydrate the skin and improve its appearance and elasticity over time. Other specialised procedures for skin rejuvenation include: chemical peels and collagen induction therapy, such as medical microneedling and platelet rich plasma (PRP). PRP can also be used for hair restoration where there are some existing hair follicles. Medical grade skin care is also important for the maintenance of good overall skin health and treatment of skin issues such as acne and hyperpigmentation.
What makes you passionate about delivering this service?
I had the vision of offering an aesthetic service that as well as being clinically safe and effective is also affordable and offers good value for money. I feel that everyone who is bothered by changes in their looks with age or is looking for an improvement in the facial symmetry or skin issues should be able to access such services and comprehensive, non-obligatory advice on them. That is why I offer free consultations and respond to all client queries directly myself. My treatment ethos is to enhance and restore and not exaggerate facial features. I believe that an aesthetic treatment should be as individual as we all are and as such the aim should be not perfection or fitting into stereotypical images but a tailor-made correction. I feel passionate about recreating a rejuvenated look for my clients which brings out the best of their personality and helps them to feel confident on the inside and out. I see my treatments as opportunity to enhance not just the physical but the emotional and social well-being, and from personal experience I know that when we enhance our looks we enhance our souls too. I also believe that knowledge is power and in medical aesthetics – a much necessary safety tool too. I am committed to continual professional development and, as well as achieving several academic degrees and qualifications, I continue to attend numerous health and aesthetic courses. As a medical professional, having worked in diverse care settings and continuing to work for the NHS, in my aesthetic clinic I use clinical skills, medical knowledge and experience of dealing with a wide variety of complex situations, which I belief is necessary for the safety of aesthetic injectables and also for dealing with any unforeseen complications that could arise.
What does a typical treatment look and feel like?
This would depend on the type of treatment. I will describe the most popular treatment here – Botox injections, which is a prescription only treatment. In the UK only medical doctors, dentists, prescribing nurses and pharmacist, who have medical aesthetic training, can issue these prescriptions. Before the treatment patients have a consultation with me, as a Nurse Independent Prescriber, where I review their medical history and we discuss their ideas and expectations for the treatments, this is important for setting realistic expectations whilst also making sure that the treatment will be right and safe for them. From there we develop a treatment plan based on their budget and needs. I only proceed to prescribe and book their treatment if I am sure that it will benefit the client. Just to add, I also see my consultations as a means of allowing clients to connect and develop trust in me to deliver their treatment, which is equally important for their overall satisfaction with the treatment outcome. Most Botox treatments take about 30 mins and involve making several injections. The actual injections take around approx. 5 minutes, but I take extra care to prepare the client by making them feel comfortable, going through their understanding of the procedure again, and preparing the skin by disinfecting and marking the exact treatment areas. The Botox injections usually tend to be well tolerated without the need for anaesthesia because they are relatively superficial and delivered quickly yet precisely. However, I do offer the option of anaesthetic numbing cream beforehand to clients who may benefit from it. After most treatment clients can return to their usual activities with some precautions, such as avoiding strenuous exercise and overheating.
How long do the effects last after treatment?
This depends on the treatment. For Botox injections, the effect is not visible immediately but it takes 10-14 days for the full effects to be seen, the treatment effects last 3-4 months. The treatment can then be repeated to maintain the results. Dermal Filler treatment effects tend to last 9-18 months depending on the treated site and type of filler. In more mobile areas, such as the lips, the dermal filler is metabolised quicker and the duration is 6-9 months on average. I offer free post treatment reviews and follow up appointments as required. The effects of other treatments, such as skin boosters and collagen stimulation therapy, is seen over time, most of these therapies require a course of several sessions to achieve optimum results.
You can find more information on specific treatments and booking information at aestheticsbysilvie.co.uk
