The Rewind Report: Rapid-Fire Aesthetic Treatments — Yes or No?
Welcome back to the Rewind Report!
Today we’re doing something a little different. We’re playing a rapid-fire game where we answer “yes” or “no” to some of today’s most popular aesthetic treatments—and then explain why.
Remember, these are our personal opinions based on our experience, training, and the scientific evidence currently available.
Lip Flip: Yes or No?
Answer: It depends.
One perspective was a “no” based entirely on personal preference.
A lip flip relaxes the muscle around the upper lip, creating the appearance of a fuller lip without using filler. While many patients love the results, some people don’t enjoy the temporary change in muscle movement.
Potential drawbacks can include:
- Difficulty drinking through a straw
- Temporary changes when pronouncing certain letters
- A feeling of weakness around the mouth
These effects typically improve after the first couple of weeks as the neurotoxin begins to soften.
Others love combining a lip flip with lip filler, especially for patients with naturally M-shaped lips that tend to curl inward when smiling.
Thread Lifts
Answer: No.
Thread lifts continue to generate a lot of attention, but they aren’t a treatment we’d personally choose.
Some concerns include:
- Significant cost
- Downtime
- Temporary results
- Possible dimpling
- Feeling the threads beneath the skin
While there are talented providers who perform thread lifts successfully, we generally feel that the investment can often be better spent on treatments that stimulate collagen and provide longer-lasting results, such as Sculptra®, Sofwave™, or other regenerative options.
Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Answer: Yes.
An upper blepharoplasty is one of the highest-impact cosmetic procedures for patients with excess upper eyelid skin.
Benefits include:
- A more open, refreshed appearance
- Improved makeup application
- Minimal downtime
- Long-lasting results
For patients with significant eyelid laxity, surgery often provides results that injectable treatments simply can’t achieve.
Full-Face Neurotoxin
Answer: Yes.
Full-face neurotoxin treatments have become one of our favorite approaches because they focus on facial balancing rather than treating only one or two areas.
Strategic placement may help improve:
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Jawline definition
- Neck bands
- Lower face balance
When performed conservatively by an experienced injector, full-face treatment can create a very natural, refreshed appearance.
CO₂ Laser Resurfacing
Answer: It depends.
CO₂ laser resurfacing can produce excellent results, particularly for acne scars and significant skin resurfacing.
However, treatment strength matters.
In our experience, lighter or medium-strength CO₂ treatments may not provide dramatically better results than professional microneedling while requiring considerably more downtime.
Patients with melasma or certain skin types also need careful evaluation before undergoing aggressive laser treatments.
Hairline Neurotoxin
Answer: Yes—for the right patient.
Hairline neurotoxin has become increasingly popular for patients who experience excessive sweating along the scalp or significant movement near the hairline.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced scalp sweating
- Longer-lasting hairstyles
- Improved comfort during exercise
- Balanced forehead movement
While not necessary for everyone, it can be an excellent option for select patients.
Sculptra®
Answer: Absolutely yes.
Sculptra remains one of our favorite regenerative treatments because it stimulates your body’s natural collagen production.
Benefits include:
- Improved skin quality
- Natural-looking volume restoration
- Skin tightening
- Long-term collagen production
Sculptra can also be used in areas beyond the face, including the neck, décolletage, and even the gluteal region for carefully selected patients.
Chin Filler
Answer: Yes.
Chin filler is one of the few filler treatments we consistently feel provides tremendous value.
Small amounts of filler placed strategically can dramatically improve:
- Facial balance
- Profile appearance
- Jawline definition
- Overall facial harmony
Unlike some other areas where collagen stimulators may be preferred, the chin often benefits from the structural support that hyaluronic acid filler provides.
PDGF
Answer: Not yet.
PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) has generated considerable interest in aesthetics.
While the science is promising, we believe more long-term research is needed before making it part of our routine treatment offerings.
There are still unanswered questions regarding safety, particularly involving growth factor stimulation in patients with undiagnosed cancers or other medical conditions.
For now, we’d rather rely on regenerative treatments with stronger long-term safety data.
Peptides
Answer: Yes—with careful patient selection.
Peptides represent one of the most exciting emerging areas of regenerative medicine.
Some peptides being actively researched may help support:
- Healing
- Collagen production
- Recovery
- Inflammation
- Overall wellness
Examples discussed included copper peptides (GHK-Cu), BPC-157, GLP-1 medications, and methylene blue.
However, these therapies should always be approached carefully, under qualified medical supervision, and only after appropriate medical screening.
Final Thoughts
Not every trending aesthetic treatment is right for every patient.
The best treatment plan depends on your anatomy, goals, medical history, and lifestyle.
Our philosophy is simple: prioritize treatments backed by strong science, focus on natural-looking results, and always put patient safety first.
Thanks for watching the Rewind Report. We’ll see you next time!
