Dr. Hervé Raspaldo, plastic surgeon who specializes in surgery of the face and neck, in Geneva

(This article was published in ”Tetu”, fall/winter 2011)

A college of experts have developed aglobal approach to facial treatments, a revolutionary method to help restoring the dynamics of youth. The four practitioners who created this project explain how we can reduce signs of aging, but still preserve our natural look.

How do you explain that more and more men are getting facial injections?

First of all, because theprocedures are more simple! When men realize that their age leaves visible signs on their face, they take action. It’s not a taboo any longer.

Was this method validated?

We based our work on the opinion of around hundred practitioners, with whom we discussed practical situations, according to the methodology of the Health Authority. Several works will be published in scientific journals in the coming months.

How do you analyse the structure of the face and manage to preserve its expressions and personality?

The clinical analysis and the touch are essential. I also try to examine pictures of the patient in a younger age, to see how the face looked back then. I use a lot of morphing, 3D imaging and I compare expressions at rest and in movement.

What are the indications for hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin stretches the muscles and changes their balance; it reduces the muscles’ contraction and helps preventing the sagging skin. As for the hyaluronic acid, it fills the hollows and rehydrates. Combining the two of them is a very efficient solution: the results are almost as good as those of surgical procedures.

How is you approach as a surgeon different from a dermatologist’s?

We both aim for the same result, but I would say that a surgeon is more used to considering all the elements of the face: muscles, bones, fat,and not onlythe skin. My aim as a surgeon is not simply to correct flaws, but to restore global beauty.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Seing my patients happy and confident again. This difficult and very demanding profession also offered me an artistic expression. I work with different materials, just as a sculptor does, in order to bring out the beauty and provide confort to my patients.

”My aim as a surgeon is not simply to correct flaws, but to restore global beauty.”