Q-Tips on Omni-modal treatments

Each month, our columnist, cosmetic doctor, and founder of Luxe Skin Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) will give his top tips on a common aesthetic procedure. In this first entry, Dr Q looks at the benefits of an omni-modal treatment approach.

When it comes to full-face treatment, you encounter a range of issues and causes. Each problem needs to be addressed based on its causation. Therefore, one treatment modality cannot fix all problems. We often see people trying to fix a full face using dermal fillers or lifting facial ptosis using a specific machine, for example. This leads to suboptimal results. As qualified and registered practitioners, we need to increase our skill set and be trained in a variety of procedures addressing the causes of ageing. It is not possible to offer every single procedure in this ever-changing industry, even discounting the impractical cost of buying multiple machines. However, I feel that, to differentiate ourselves from the unregulated providers and emphasise our professionalism, we should have at least one treatment modality addressing each of the main problems that our patients come to us with.

I believe the era of one area of toxin, or half a millilitre of filler is fading fast, especially in patients that seek out welltrained practitioners. These patients demand a great overall result, rather than a before-and-after picture that shows great improvement in the chin but it does not match the rest of the face. I believe this is the era of omni-modal treatments (OMT).

WHAT IS THE OMT APPROACH?

The OMT approach starts with the realisation that each mode of treatment has its limitation and is unable to resolve all problems. We need to realise the extent that one treatment can deliver improvement before it becomes counter-productive. Hence, emptying your entire stock of dermal fillers in a face to lift jowls, or ablating everything you see with a laser, will not produce an optimal result. It is vital to address the cause of each symptom that the patient presents. By using several different treatment modalities, you can give your patients the best possible result.

WHAT DOES THE OMT APPROACH LOOK LIKE?

Let’s say a 60-year-old female comes to you complaining of jowls, facial hollowing, and a wrinkled neck. If we were to treat this with one type of procedure, such as radiofrequency, laser, threads, or fillers, we would certainly improve her appearance, but are unlikely to achieve the best possible ‘natural’ result. However, if you were to combine toxin for the active lines, filler for volumising, radiofrequency for skin tightening and perhaps threads for lifting the jowls, the result would be much superior to treating with one modality alone.

WHAT CAN NEW PRACTITIONERS DO AS SKILLS TAKE TIME TO MASTER?

We were all new at one point and we become new again when we learn a new procedure. As a new practitioner, if you understand the limitations of one mode of treatment and do not keep repeating the same mode of treatment again and again, hoping to resolve the patient’s problem, you will gain your patient’s respect and avoid giving them the ‘done up’ look. You will also reduce the risk of unwanted results and complications. We need to know that this is as far as we can take a patient in their journey at this point with the tools we have.

I CAN GET 1 MILLILITRE IN MY CHEEKS FOR £99, WHAT’S YOUR BEST PRICE?

We are aesthetic professionals. Patients come to us to solve their ageing problems. We should be providing solutions and not only retailing our tools. We are not just selling commodities. So, let’s provide a solution using an omni-modal treatment plan and move away from commodity-style sales. We still need to show what ‘tools’ we use and give an indication of the price for that procedure so that patients can gauge their budget, but we can start moving towards a results-based, rather than tools-based, approach.

SO, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN 2023?

With non-surgical treatment options increasing at a rapid pace, we need to combine treatments to provide a synergistic solution. So, rather than being a needle person or a cannula person, you need to be both and use the right combination of tools to construct a harmonious result.

DR USMAN QURESHI

Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) is a cosmetic doctor and founder of Luxe Skin by Doctor Q in Glasgow. He focuses on non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.