A Comprehensive Guide To Face Profiling

When it comes to aesthetic goals, symmetry and balance are often considered desirable physical traits. In fact, profile harmonisation is one of the most popular requests among cosmetic patients. With new innovations in the ever-growing industry of non-surgical injectables, more and more procedures are closely tailored to treating the overall facial profile and creating more balance from both the side and front views.

From conducting a thorough consultation and facial assessment to using the most effective techniques to achieve subtle and natural harmony, aesthetic medicine is a highly specialised field, and extensive training is required to become a proficient practitioner. In this post, we’ll cover the ins and outs of face profiling, the typical profile balancing process and the benefits of the procedure for patients. We’ll also explain how budding aestheticians can get started in facial aesthetics, and what factors they should consider when choosing a training provider.

What is face profiling?

Face profiling, also known as profile balancing, is a facial rejuvenation treatment consisting of non-surgical dermal filler injections administered during one aesthetic appointment. The goal of the procedure is to enhance the facial profile and create a more symmetrical appearance. By adding volume and filling in lines and imperfections, face profiling sculpts and contours areas such as the lips, nose and jawline to complement existing features. As a minimally invasive procedure, face profiling can help improve the appearance of the face in a natural-looking way without the need for expensive and invasive surgery.

How does face profiling work?

The process of face profiling begins with an initial patient-practitioner appointment which includes a consultation and full facial assessment. At this stage, both a medical history and aesthetics history are obtained to verify the patient as a suitable candidate for an injectable procedure. The aesthetician discusses the patient’s concerns and desired results before assessing their facial anatomy and determining the areas of the face to be treated to enhance the facial profile most effectively. When recommending a treatment plan, it is essential that the aesthetician sets realistic goals with the patient to ensure they know what to expect from the procedure and are happy with the forecasted results before committing to treatment. As a healthcare professional, they also must make their prospective patient aware of the risks and potential complications associated with aesthetic injectables and provide them with appropriate aftercare guidance.

On the day of the appointment, aestheticians will meet with their patient and confirm that they have followed your pre-treatment guidelines. The patient will be required to sign a consent form stating that they know the potential risks of dermal fillers and consent to have injections administered. To prepare the patient for injection, the aesthetician will clean the skin and apply a numbing cream if required. Using a fine needle, the dermal filler (such as hyaluronic acid) is injected into the areas of the skin to be treated. The length of the appointment will vary depending on the complaint presented by the patient and the number of injections to be performed, but profile balancing injections will inevitably take longer than a single-treatment appointment, typically around 30 minutes or longer. Depending on the severity of the swelling, ice may be applied to the areas of the skin that have been injected.

Following treatment, it is essential to provide the patient with aftercare instructions and advise them on activities to avoid for the next few days, such as heavy exercise and direct sun exposure. It is also vital that the patient can ask questions about the aftercare process or discuss any concerns they may have.  

A typical treatment plan

Since profile balancing is a highly individualised treatment designed to enhance facial symmetry, the exact procedure varies from patient to patient and is generally determined during the aesthetics consultation. However, a typical treatment plan focuses on some of the most prominent facial features, all of which dramatically impact the overall profile appearance. While these procedures have always been extremely popular among cosmetic patients, the process of performing them all during one aesthetic appointment for a face profiling treatment that tackles the entire face is a more recent trend. A typical treatment plan includes the following:

Lips

A plumper, more voluminous pout can help to create a more youthful appearance. According to Statista, lip fillers were the most popular cosmetic procedure searched online in 2021, with an average monthly search volume of 40.5 thousand. A natural-looking lip enhancement is highly effective in balancing out other features. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the areas that require additional volume and shape, typically the edges of the lips, the cupid’s bow and the corners of the mouth. By enhancing the overall shape and size of the lips, lip fillers improve definition and can smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The procedure can also be administered to correct uneven or asymmetrical lips, whether due to genetics or because of a botched injection performed by another aesthetician.

Nose

As a central and highly prominent facial feature, the appearance of the nose has a significant impact on the overall appearance of the face, especially from a side profile. In fact, many patients opt to undergo non-surgical rhinoplasty specifically for the transformative effects it can have on their nose from a side-on view. Known as a ‘liquid nose job’, the treatment uses injectable dermal fillers to reshape and contour the nose. The procedure is widely favoured by aesthetic patients for its fast and effective results compared to invasive rhinoplasty surgery, which is known for its lengthy and uncomfortable recovery time. Nose fillers are used to correct a wide range of concerns, such as bumps, a hooked or drooping tip, a low nasal bridge or asymmetry. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is also an effective profile balancing treatment to adjust the appearance of a nose that lacks definition and shape or is disproportionate to the rest of the face.

Chin

The area surrounding the chin is particularly prone to a lack of definition. A receding chin, also known as a ‘weak chin’, descends back towards the neck instead of protruding outwards or lying flat. Chin filler can enhance the over shape and size of the chin, balancing out the proportions with the rest of the face and adding more definition. Dermal fillers are also highly effective in correcting a receding chin or weak jawline and creating a more structured appearance in the lower third of the face. Chin augmentation is especially popular with those who wish to smooth out the fine lines and wrinkles which inevitably appear on the lower face and neck due to the natural ageing process and are often aggravated by lifestyle or environmental factors such as smoking or extended sun exposure.

Jawline

Jawline filler is often administered in conjunction with chin filler to sculpt and contour the lower face, and the two face profiling treatments together can significantly enhance a patient’s profile. Jawline filler can correct a weak jawline or square jaw and reduce the appearance of jowls, the sagging skin and excess fat that accumulates on the jawline due to a lack of elasticity as we age. The procedure also creates a clear separation between the face and neck, which many patients desire.

The benefits of face profiling

Face profiling offers several benefits to patients, from convenience to affordability and transformative results. Some of the most notable pros of a profile balancing treatment include the following:

• Improved symmetry – a more balanced and harmonious facial structure is at the top of many patients’ wish lists.
• Facial contouring – profile balancing can enhance definition and improve structure in areas such as the jawline, chin and cheekbones.
• Anti-ageing – dermal fillers add volume to plump up wrinkles and fill in fine lines to give the skin a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance.
• No knives – the non-surgical nature of dermal fillers makes them the perfect option for those looking for a quick and convenient treatment that produces immediate results and is significantly less costly than the invasive alternative.
• Tailored treatment – a face profiling procedure is entirely customised to each patient’s needs and aesthetic goals to create natural and subtle results.
• Flexibility – the results of profile balancing last for several months, and patients can book top-up treatments at their convenience and in line with their budget.
• Results – the effects of an aesthetic treatment can transform how an individual looks and feels, giving them a boost of self-confidence that makes them feel more comfortable in their skin.

Is there a high demand for aesthetic procedures?

The aesthetics industry has grown exponentially in the past few years, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. In fact, the latest survey from ISAPS (The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) found that 17.5 million non-surgical procedures were performed worldwide in 2021. As such, the demand for medically qualified and trained aestheticians is exceptionally high.

A variety of factors drive the demand for face profiling treatments, including:

• The rise of the internet, with celebrities, digital publications and social media, changing the perception of cosmetic procedures from extreme to mainstream.
• An increased desire for self-improvement, with many individuals placing a higher value on treatments that boost their confidence and make them feel good.
• As innovations in the aesthetics industry continue to advance, practitioners are able to perform more targeted procedures and achieve extremely subtle and natural-looking results.
• The quick and convenient nature of non-surgical injectables has given them the nickname ‘the lunch break face lift’ since appointments are typically less than 30 minutes, and patients can resume their regular lifestyle directly afterwards.
• Many individuals favour minimally invasive face profiling treatments over invasive procedures due to a fear of going under the knife. With less risk and little to no downtime, injections are an appealing alternative to cosmetic surgery.

How to train in face aesthetics

Aesthetic medicine is a specialised field that involves altering a patient’s physical appearance through the use of injectable needles. As such, facial aesthetic treatments should only be administered by advanced healthcare professionals. You are the ideal candidate for facial aesthetics training if you are a medic, such as a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist. Training varies in terms of length and content, and there are a wide variety of options available to suit all levels — from those who are utterly new to aesthetic medicine to practising injectors who wish to advance their skill set and gain new qualifications or undertake a specialised course such as face profiling. Whichever provider you select, it is crucial that they are an accredited and CPD-certified company that strictly adheres to industry regulations. When making your selection, you should also research the faculty who will be conducting the practical training to ensure that they are adequately qualified to carry out injectable demonstrations and closely supervise delegates to ensure safety for learners and model patients at all times. Upon completion of training, your provider should support you as a lifelong learner through digital resources and invites to conference events and other networking opportunities to allow you to stay up to date with the latest techniques and technologies.

While training programmes vary between providers, they will comprehensively cover the core aspects of facial aesthetics, including:

1. Facial anatomy – From the bones and muscles to the skin, gaining a thorough understanding of the facial structure and elements is essential to safely and effectively perform aesthetic procedures.
2. Products – With so many different types of injectable products available on the market, you will gain the knowledge required to identify the most effective one for each patient and treatment, as well as how to administer them and manage any potential side effects properly.
3. Consultation – you will learn the process to follow when conducting a patient consultation and facial assessment and have the opportunity to assess the needs and goals of live model patients during practical training sessions.
4. Safety – from maintaining a clinically safe environment to sterilisation and protocols, safety is of paramount importance in aesthetic medicine and will help you to minimise the risk of complications.
5. Legalities and ethics – as a regulated industry, it is important to be aware of the laws and ethical considerations to account for as a healthcare professional and practising aesthetician.
6. Technique – Injecting the wrong area of the skin or inserting the needle too deeply can have severe implications and greatly increase the risk of infection. Learning the correct placement and injection techniques is one of the most critical parts of practical aesthetics training. 
7. Practical training – The opportunity to inject live model patients and develop your craft under the guidance of an experienced practitioner is the most effective way to become a skilled and confident aesthetician.

Why medical professionals make great aesthetic practitioners

The new Health and Care Act 2022 gives the government powers to introduce a licensing scheme for practitioners who operate in England. Work is currently underway to determine the specifics of the licensing scheme, and it will soon be introduced via secondary legislation. While the exact timescale is yet to be announced, this is a big step in the right direction for the aesthetics industry, which has long been underregulated. 

Aside from the impending legislation which will prohibit unqualified individuals from injecting patients, there are many reasons why healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists and nurses make the perfect candidates for face aesthetics training. These include: 

• As a medic who is trained to degree level, you have already gained an exhaustive understanding of the skin and body’s structure and function, as well as the intricate anatomy of the head and neck.
• You are extensively trained in the safe and effective use of advanced medical equipment and non-surgical injection techniques.
• You are comfortable conducting consultations and health assessments and building a trusting rapport with patients.
• You understand the importance of patient expectations and providing treatment recommendations with realistic goals in mind.
• You are trained in maintaining a clinically safe environment, sterilisation techniques and infection control and understand the importance of these factors for patient safety.
• You can empathise with your patients and address their concerns in a sensitive and professional manner.

Wrapping up

With the development of innovative new injection procedures such as face profiling, the aesthetics industry remains an exciting field to be part of. Many training options are available to suit your needs and lifestyle, allowing you to learn at your own pace and even forge a part-time role in aesthetics around your NHS commitments if you prefer not to switch to an entirely new career. As the demand for reputable injectors continues to grow in line with the emergence of stricter regulations, it is more important than ever to gain a high quality of training to set yourself up for a successful career in aesthetic medicine. If you are completely new to the industry, we recommend doing your research online via course accreditations and verified third-party reviews before settling on an aesthetics training provider.