Podcast Summary: The Treatment Room – Episode 156: The Art of Injectables, Lasers + Lips

Release Date: August 9, 2024
Host: Tess, The Treatment Room
Guest: Taylor Supiani, PA at Cupid Lips, Beverly Hills, CA

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest

Tess welcomes listeners to a special episode featuring Taylor Supiani, a Physician Assistant (PA) at Cupid Lips in Beverly Hills, California. Taylor brings extensive expertise in lip fillers and various in-office treatments such as microneedling and lasers. The episode aims to answer listeners' questions about injectables and skin treatments.

Notable Quote:
Tess [00:26]: "We have a super fun episode in store for you today. I am bringing on one of my best friends, Taylor Supiani..."

2. Taylor's Journey and Philosophy in Aesthetics

Taylor shares her personal experience with a botched lip filler procedure early in her career, which profoundly impacted her approach to aesthetics. This experience instilled in her the importance of not only achieving desirable results but also providing compassionate care and maintaining a good bedside manner.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [02:28]: "I want to give people the results they're looking for. And I also want to bring like, the compassion and the good bedside manner too..."

3. Importance of Provider-Patient Relationship

Tess and Taylor discuss the rarity of finding providers who excel both in technical skills and interpersonal connections. Taylor emphasizes building long-lasting relationships through empathy, understanding, and mutual respect.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [04:24]: "We have the ability to relate to people on a human level and connect with them... what builds long lasting, patient relationships too."

4. Navigating Lip Fillers: Choosing the Right Provider

Taylor advises thorough research when selecting a provider for lip fillers. She highlights the value of reviewing portfolios on platforms like Instagram and ensuring the provider is open to questions and feedback.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [05:48]: "The one thing I would have done differently is research... you can do a lot of this on Instagram."

5. Evaluating Providers: Qualifications vs. Portfolio

While portfolios are crucial, Taylor underscores the importance of a provider's qualifications and ability to handle complications. She believes that the professional title (dermatologist, PA, etc.) is less important than the provider's experience and aesthetic alignment with the patient.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [07:24]: "Portfolio of work is very important. It's not everything... make sure you're going to someone who is educated and trained."

6. Celebrity Inspirations and Treatment Customization

Discussing the influence of celebrity looks, Taylor notes a shift away from extreme styles like the Russian technique towards more natural and functional results. She emphasizes the necessity of tailoring treatments to individual anatomy.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [11:58]: "There's a lot of value in finding providers that say no... because these are medical procedures."

7. Risks of Filler Migration and Dissolving Fillers

Taylor explains that filler migration is generally manageable unless it affects muscle function or causes tissue irritation. In such cases, dissolving the filler might require additional medical intervention.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [14:01]: "With migration, it's nothing to be super concerned about... unless it's altering functionality or creating scar tissue."

8. Types of Fillers: Hyaluronic Acid vs. Biostimulators

Taylor differentiates between Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers, which are reversible and generally safer, and biostimulators like Sculptra, which are longer-lasting but irreversible and require skilled administration to avoid complications.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [16:31]: "HA or hyaluronic acid fillers are probably the safest fillers to use... you can reverse them with hyaluronidase."

9. Customizing Treatment Plans Over Patient Requests

Emphasizing a holistic approach, Taylor advocates for integrating skincare and collagen-stimulating treatments alongside injectables. She advises against reactive, "as-needed" filler applications in favor of proactive, planned treatments.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [24:25]: "Make sure you're going to someone who's skilled, and two, understanding the possible implications of this."

10. Laser Treatments vs. Microneedling

Taylor discusses various laser treatments, including CO2 and Fraxel, and microneedling radio frequency (RF). She prefers microneedling for acne scarring due to its controlled collagen stimulation, while lasers are suited for deeper resurfacing needs.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [27:14]: "Fraxel can be good for pigmentary complaints, especially brown spots... microneedling to be super helpful."

11. Planning Treatments for Special Events

For events like weddings, Taylor recommends starting treatment plans 9-12 months in advance, incorporating a mix of skincare, microneedling, and injectables like Botox or Dysport. This timeline allows for gradual improvements and minimizes risks.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [33:26]: "Ideally, I would love for someone to come to me like 9 to 12 months before their wedding."

12. Ethical Practices: Saying No to Patients

Taylor discusses the delicate balance of maintaining professional integrity by sometimes declining patient requests that may not yield ideal results. She explains that saying no is part of ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [36:48]: "You have their best interest in mind... we want to make you happy. Sometimes there's a delicate balance between doing just enough and doing too much."

13. Popular Treatments Among Men

Taylor notes that men are increasingly interested in Botox, under-eye treatments, and jawline enhancements. She highlights the growing acceptance and demand for these procedures among male clientele.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [42:25]: "Botox is obviously something that a lot of men are interested in... another thing is their under eyes and also their jawlines."

14. Jawline Treatments: Best Practices

For jawline enhancements, Taylor prefers neuromodulators like Botox in combination with skin-tightening treatments such as microneedling RF. She cautions against overuse of fillers for jawlines, as they can add unwanted width and lead to unnatural appearances.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [43:14]: "Neuromodulators, Botox Dysport... fillers usually aren't my go-to for like a snatched jawline."

15. Facial Balancing vs. Symmetry

Taylor and Ben Talay discuss the concept of facial balancing, which focuses on harmonious proportions rather than strict symmetry. They emphasize respecting individual facial features and making subtle tweaks to enhance overall appearance.

Notable Quote:
Ben Talay [53:10]: "Proportions are intact and things are harmonious and blending together... making sure that people look normal and happy."

16. Addressing Patient Insecurities with Empathy

Both hosts agree on the importance of empathy and compassion when dealing with patients' insecurities. They stress the responsibility of providers to guide patients towards realistic and beneficial treatment plans without imposing unrealistic standards.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [57:40]: "Patients are oftentimes coming to us... it takes a lot to get to the point of making a phone call and booking the appointment and seeking the help."

17. Underrated Treatments: The Value of Botox

Taylor identifies Botox as an underrated treatment, particularly when used in combination with other procedures to enhance facial definition and prevent aging effects. She highlights its versatility and preventive benefits.

Notable Quote:
Taylor Supiani [48:18]: "I would definitely say good Botox is one of the most underrated treatments."

18. Conclusion and Guest Information

Tess wraps up the episode by praising Taylor's expertise and compassionate approach. She encourages listeners to connect with Taylor through her Instagram @tayloftheface and visit the Cupid Lips website.

Notable Quote:
Tess [60:35]: "I will put it in the show notes so you guys can easily find it and connect with Taylor if you're in the LA area."

Key Takeaways

• Research Providers: Always review a provider’s portfolio and verify their qualifications.
• Customized Plans: Treatments should be tailored to individual anatomy and aesthetic goals.
• Holistic Approach: Integrate skincare and collagen-stimulating procedures with injectables for optimal results.
• Ethical Practices: Providers may need to decline certain requests to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.
• Empathy is Crucial: Compassion and understanding are essential in building trust and effective patient-provider relationships.
• Stay Informed: Understanding the types and potential risks of various treatments helps in making informed decisions.

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of injectables, lasers, and lip treatments, emphasizing the importance of skilled providers who prioritize both aesthetic outcomes and compassionate patient care. Taylor Supiani’s insights provide valuable guidance for estheticians, skincare enthusiasts, and anyone considering aesthetic treatments.