At Doctor Contour Clinic, safety comes first. That is why we are one of the first clinics in Belgium to work with ultrasound, specifically the Clarius. This portable and high-quality ultrasound device is used during filler treatments, making our treatments significantly safer. Thanks to this innovative technique, Dr. Kim Detollenaere can clearly view the deeper layers of the face during aesthetic treatments, which greatly improves the precision and safety of injections.
Why is this tool important?
One of the most important reasons for using ultrasound is that it can contribute to even safer treatment with injectables, particularly hyaluronic acid fillers. The sound waves visualize the soft and hard structures of the face, making elements visible that are not visible to the naked eye.
Fillers in certain regions, such as the nose, carry risks if filler is accidentally injected into a blood vessel. Doctors are trained to have a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, but unfortunately, there are anatomical variations that even the best doctor cannot foresee. Therefore, I, Dr. Kim Detollenaere, have decided to purchase an ultrasound device to determine the exact location of important blood vessels prior to injection, ensuring the treatment is as safe as possible.
Safe filler treatment with Clarius ultrasound
The Clarius ultrasound can be used for multiple purposes:
- Visualizing previous filler treatments:
Ultrasound visualizes previous fillers if there is any doubt about them. Patients who have been treated previously elsewhere, in particular, sometimes no longer remember the type of product, brand, or the specific area of ??the face where the treatment was performed. Both hyaluronic acid fillers and permanent fillers that have long been banned can be clearly visualized. This is important, as permanent fillers are lasting and the new filler treatment can be adjusted accordingly to avoid complications. This ensures the treatment is performed safely. - Visualizing anatomy:
Every face is different, and so is its anatomy. Vascular structures can be visualized using ultrasound, allowing for safer injections. Although Dr. Kim Detollenaere is well-versed in facial anatomy, this can be beneficial for patients with congenital facial abnormalities or those with a history of excessive bruising without the use of blood thinners. Additionally, there are certain areas of the face, such as the nose and temples, that are higher-risk for filler injections. For these indications, Dr. Kim Detollenaere routinely uses ultrasound to minimize risks. Through ultrasound, she can pinpoint the exact location of blood vessels, even if they show variations, making the entire treatment much safer than at other clinics. - Treating complications:
Ultrasound also plays an important role in the event of complications. Dr. Kim Detollenaere can determine the exact location and size of the filler, as well as whether there is a blocked vessel, an inflammatory reaction, or a lump. Treatment can then be targeted, for example by dissolving the filler with hyaluronidase or starting anti-inflammatory medication. Fortunately, this occurs rarely, but we are prepared for it.
As you can see, the anatomy of the face is very complex. Here you see the blood vessels, nerves, and veins of the face. Sometimes anatomical variations can occur in the blood vessels, causing them to run slightly more to the left or right, slightly deeper than normal, or slightly shallower than normal. This can potentially make a treatment less safe, even though the doctor has good knowledge of anatomy. With an ultrasound device, the exact location of an important blood vessel can be determined, which makes the treatment much safer.
Does every patient receive an ultrasound prior to the filler treatment?
No, fortunately that is not necessary. During the intake, it is specifically checked whether the matters mentioned above under points 1 through 3 apply. In case of doubt, Dr. Kim Detollenaere can perform the ultrasound.
In short, safe treatment using the latest innovations is possible at Doctor Contour Clinic ! You can book an appointment for a consultation and/or treatment via this link .