It should come as no surprise that most people wish to appear younger and retain youthful and resilient skin. Whether one believes this is a healthy obsession or not is a matter of opinion, and opinions range from do nothing at all to do everything you can. It’s personal, and most of us can respect that.
But the British cast of the hyper-popular reality show Love Island has somehow seeped into everyone’s business. Why? Well, if you haven’t heard or seen, the cast members, all in their 20s, appear visibly older than their chronological age. So much so, in fact, that magazine articles and YouTube vloggers and personalities have dedicated entire videos pontificating this phenomenon. Is it too much Botox? Is it because Brits are cursed with thin skin prone to premature ageing?
Since most of these people are not experts, it’s all guesswork and gossip. The fact that these cast members look older is a no-brainer, but understanding how and why this occurs takes a lot of brains and education. And that’s why we consulted the brains and æsthetic expertise of Dr Hani Sinno, a highly trained plastic surgeon in Montréal, Québec. Dr Sinno has been performing both æsthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery to great success and is renowned for his insight and precision. Here we ask him what has gone wrong with these young reality show personalities and how we can all avoid making similar mistakes.
Many plastic surgeons and med-spas are advising people to start getting injections as early as possible. How damaging is this advice?
My advice to all my patients is only to get injections when they’re truly needed. Don’t do them prophylactically or for prevention. For example, I’ve had patients as young as 18, 19, or 20 coming in for Botox when they have zero lines or facial animation that would cause lines. I recommend using Botox, neuromodulators, or toxins only when there are lines caused by movement. Once a faint line appears even without movement, that’s when it’s appropriate to start treatment, as it can prevent the line from becoming deeper.
As for fillers, they are best used to address specific concerns, such as very tiny lips disproportionate to the rest of the face, or deflation of the cheeks because of ageing or asymmetry. Age isn’t the issue with fillers; it’s about correcting a deformity or imbalance.
What are the dangers and repercussions from too many injections: either ‘over-filled’, or starting too early before you need them?
Over-filling obviously gives you an unnatural look. It expands the skin, and if you continue expanding the skin over time, it will lead to increased sagging. Also, if you start using neuromodulators or Botox toxins very early on, you could develop antibodies and resistance to them, so that when you actually do need them, when you’re older, when you do have wrinkles, you won’t be able to have any effect from that Botox.
Can you explain how some procedures can make someone look older, rather than more youthful?
Absolutely. We see this with A-list celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston or even Madonna at the Golden Globes. They look like they have a pillow face, overfilled injections, and faces, and that gives the impression that the patient has either more weight on their body, more chubby, or is older. Obviously, with age, after menopause, a woman can get a little bit of weight gain, and that can be seen in the face as a more plump face, a fuller face.
Are certain skin types or tones (British, for example) more prone to premature ageing? If so, what is the best prevention?
Yes. There is tanner (Fitzpatrick scale) one to six. Tanner one represents the fairest, like a ginger or redhead, and tanner six represents the darkest, such as someone of African descent. Mediterranean usually fall around two to three, while Indians and East Indians are typically between four and five. So, the darker your skin, the more resistant it is to sun damage, allowing it to maintain its thickness. You’ll also experience less crepitus, thinning, sunspots, and fine wrinkles, which are all signs of ageing. If you have very fair skin, you’re likely to show signs of ageing faster than someone with genetically darker or more tanned skin.
My advice is to avoid the sun as much as possible. When you are outside, use a minimum of SPF 50 sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. Additionally, avoid using harsh chemicals on your face, like make-up products that aren’t well tested.
The cast of Love Island all look older than your actual age. In your estimation, what has gone wrong and how can they best correct this?
It’s because they’ve been over-filled and over-done. Their lips and cheeks are excessively enhanced, and almost all of them have fake eyelashes. These are typical treatments for people in their mid-30s to counteract signs of ageing, such as cheek deflation or jowling, which can soften the jawline. But when you get these procedures in your 20s, it makes you look like you’re trying to camouflage ageing signs that don’t naturally appear until the 30s or later.
Another point is that many celebrities, reality TV personalities, or even everyday people are flying to places like Turkey or having unnecessary surgeries locally. Procedures like brow lifts, the “fox eye”, or eyelid surgery are becoming popular even though they aren’t needed. I often have patients in their 20s or early 30s asking for eyelid surgery when they have no extra skin, or wanting a mini-lift when they don’t need it. These surgeries can make you appear older because they give you the look of someone who typically undergoes these procedures later in life.
Do you have different advice for patients depending not only on the patient’s age, but skin tone, colour, and texture?
Yes, of course. It’s always a good idea to consult with an æesthetic doctor or plastic surgeon early on to get advice on how to properly care for your skin. You can schedule follow-ups without necessarily undergoing treatments or injections. They can offer medical advice specific to your skin tone and type, recommending the right creams to use in the morning and at night. For instance, using vitamin C in the morning can promote skin health, while retinoic acid, vitamin A, at night helps with exfoliation and skin rejuvenation.
These skin care routines are beneficial, but the most important factors are maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, minimizing drug and alcohol use, and protecting your skin from the sun with an SPF 50. Drinking plenty of water, at least two to three litres a day for adults, is also essential.
What is your best advice to maintain a youthful appearance?
Besides what I mentioned above, always strive to live as happily as you can, be grateful, and stay present in the moment. If you’re feeling stressed, it will show on your face. Your emotions can manifest physically, leading to thinning skin, more wrinkles, and an angry appearance, which will age you much faster.
After completing his plastic surgery residency at McGill University, Dr Hani Sinno completed a second year-long fellowship at Harvard, further honing his skills in æsthetic surgery. Following his time in Boston, he was invited back to his home city of Montréal, where he had the privilege of teaching the next generation of doctors and resident as an assistant professor at McGill University until 2016. During this time his primary focus was in æsthetics, microsurgery flap reconstruction, and helping breast cancer survivors regain their feminine physique through breast reconstructive surgery.
Dr Hani Sinno has firmly positioned himself as a renowned plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Canada through his passionate dedication to providing his patients with his exceptional trade mark mantra: ‘Natural results, small scars, fast recovery.’ His commitment towards fulfilling his pledge has made him the go to plastic surgeon authority for rhinoplasty, æsthetic breast surgery and facelifts. Visit drhanisinno.com.