A Fresh Look for Eyes

By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 09th June 2010

Unhappy with the appearance of the deep hollows beneath her eyes, Maggie had been scared off injectables after a previous treatment had caused her severe discomfort. Innovative new treatment Novabel proved to be the answer to both problems

Dr Stephen Bassett of Shape Cymru:
"Novabel is as close to magic as any product I have used - no fuss, no fear, no fall-out. The best modern techniques restore youth by revolumising the mid-face, and this has been difficult because, to date, the products have been too painful and lumpy or, conversely, too soft to last.

Novabel has the durability to provide long-term results, and is a joy to inject; it really is like injecting water. The fine needles and virtually zero injection pressure make for pain-free, bruise-free, rapid and staggering results. My patients report a total absence of a ‘done' look, but are instantly recognisable as younger, fresher and fuller.

For tear-troughs and midface, Novabel is the future. Maggie looks a decade younger and fresher, and the treatment was so quick and effortless."

Name: Maggie Bassett
Age: 43
Occupation: Primary school teaching assistant

What prompted you to have the treatment?
I think I have held my age quite well apart from marked volume loss in the under eye area. I was well aware of the problem and I knew I would be genetically predisposed to it as both my mother and father have high cheekbones and deep-set eyes.

The hollowness under my eyes made me look perpetually tired, which I'm not. Then about six months ago my eldest daughter, who is just entering her teens, said, ‘Oh, mummy, you've got skeleton eyes'. I knew then that I would have to do something about my appearance.

Who carried out the procedure and what was their opinion at the consultation?
My husband, Dr Stephen Bassett of Shape Cymru, had recently started using a new product called Novabel, which he thought might be perfect for me.

About three years ago, I had a dermal filler called Evolence injected into the naso-labial folds and under eye area. Even though I have had two children, I'm not particularly brave when it comes to pain, and I found the experience quite traumatic.

Evolence is very thick and although the results were fabulous, I found the experience incredibly uncomfortable, and for about three or four days after my face felt like it had been battered.

How was the experience?
Stephen was very good at calming my fears; he explained that the Novabel treatment was a completely different experience from Evolence - it would be like injecting water. I found it just the same as having Botox. Also afterwards it was nothing like Evolence - no discomfort or feeling of tightness. I didn't even have to have a local anaesthetic in the under eye area.

What were the immediate results?
What I loved about this was that there was no downtime. Even if I have a procedure done on a Friday, I'm still back in work on the Monday and the children don't miss a thing.

I had the treatment about a month ago and I would definitely say there are stages to the results. I thought it looked fine straight after but then two weeks later it seemed to bed in, which is the best way I can describe it, and it just looked even better.

Are you happy with the treatment?
I have been really happy with the results. Stephen has said I look like I did when we first started courting seventeen years ago. I wouldn't go that far but I think it has taken years off me. What's even more important is that my daughters are really pleased with it and think I look much younger.

It has given me great confidence and will cut down on the amount of Touche Éclat I use! I feel that my eyes now match the rest of my face.