What happens when one of the biggest personalities in green skincare sits down with one of the longest practicing face sculptors in LA?

We get the full truth on what to expect when it comes to face sculpting!

Jena Covello, the beauty and brains behind Agent Nateur gives us one hundred percent transparency with her skin regimen and shares what she does beyond her groundbreaking natural skincare products. As she sits down with her favorite aesthetic nurse, Rand Rusher, they both go skin deep about different fillers, complimentary regimens as well as truths and tips on creating a long term treatment plan. This LA based skin savant has not only been lifting and sculpting famous faces for the last 25 years but also trains other fillers to learn to perfect his craft. A must listen as two experts, one in natural beauty and the other in aesthetics help you fill in all of the blanks about face sculpting.

Whether you are considering face fillers for the first time or have been getting them for years, this new episode of NATEURious has something new for you. With dentists and doctors jumping on the bandwagon to fill on the side or even the influx of the infamous “Botox parties”, making the right decisions may sometimes seem difficult. This interview helps us navigate through what may work best in the long run. In the meantime, lets get acquainted with a few dermal fillers that were discussed:

• Botox is an FDA approved drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that is injected into specific muscles in small doses as a treatment to lift and tighten skin. It acts by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses as it relaxes the muscle. Its affects usually last 3-6 months and wears off as muscle action gradually returns. Genuine Botox is manufactured in the worlds only Botox manufacturing plant found in Ireland.

• Dysport, another FDA approved drug similar to Botox which is often used to treat severe muscle spasms is also used to treat wrinkles. Dysport injections are known to be visible within 1-2 days versus Botox which can take up to 5 days. Dysport injections are about 2 centimeters deeper than Botox and are known to encompass a wider treatment area. 

• Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance that is readily found in your skin which helps keeps skin plump and hydrated as it binds to water. Injectable HAs are used to create framework, structure and volume in face and lips. The affects are noticeable right away and last 6-12 months or longer. Brands such as Juvederm and Restylane fall in this category.

• Calcium Hydroxolapatite is a natural substance found in bones, the microscopic calcium particles are injected through a suspended gel that helps stimulate the production of natural collagen. They last 12 months however are not as easy to dissolve or remove if need be.

One of the things that Jena pointed out was how much the age groups seeking out face fillers for the first time has changed from women typically beginning in their early 40s to now being as young as 20. As the demand grows for features such as larger lips and higher cheeks, Rand Rusher explains about how many fillers and clients are not discussing long term results. Some of the things we learned that we can do at different age ranges before considering fillers are:

In your 20s: Before considering face sculpting, make sure that you accept and love yourself as you are. Practice safe sun exposure to avoid damage by using SPF. If you are enhancing features, seek a doctor who is well versed in face angles and mathematics whom is willing to discuss what is realistic in the long run. Avoid high cheek fillers and removal of laugh lines as skin elasticity and baby fat transition as we age. And remember, skin renews itself every 28 days, this is a natural form of rejuvenation.

In your 30s: Integrate healthy sleep cycles. Use clean beauty products. Consider a Retin-A which is a form of Vitamin A that helps skin renew itself while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Seek professional facials, laser treatments, chemical peels and hyaluronic topicals before considering other options.

In your 40s and beyond: Seek a doctor who will put together a long term treatment plan that works best for you. Discuss different fillers and how they affect movement, scar tissue and long term muscle action. Look into lower face lifts to avoid sagging muscles caused by over filling. Also options such as thread lifts, non invasive sutures used to produce a subtle lift in the skin. And always research and discuss new brands or fillers before considering them as treatment options.  

Even though 12 million people have done face fillers, there are still 65 million people whom are thinking about it but afraid to talk about treatment plans. According to Rand Rusher, many people focus on “bad work” and have become afraid to move forward. This is also why he suggests finding a doctor who focuses on face sculpting, who is always active and training and who has “good taste” in face features. No matter what the personal decision happens to be on the aesthetic work that one decides, both Jena and Rand agreed that the most important thing to always remember when considering face fillers is that “Its not about looking younger, its about looking healthy."