Dr. Maricia

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Dr. Maricia |Advanced Facial Aesthetics|
|Allergan Aesthetics AMI|

Posts are educational and do not replace medical advice👩🏻‍⚕️

23/10/2026

PARALLEL-IMPORTED BOTULINUM TOXINS ARE BEING USED IN SOUTH AFRICA. SHOULD PATIENTS BE CONCERNED?

The increasing discussion around parallel-imported toxins in aesthetic medicine raises an important question: How certain are we about the products being injected into patients?

Botulinum toxin should produce controlled, predictable muscle relaxation. But what happens when muscles we never intended to treat become affected?

Unexpected muscle relaxation may result in:

* Drooping eyelids or eyebrows
* Facial asymmetry and an altered smile
* Weakness in surrounding muscles
* Unnatural facial expressions
* Functional complications, including difficulty speaking or swallowing in more serious cases

Here is what patients need to understand.

These complications can occur even with authorised products. Injection technique, dosage, individual anatomy and toxin spread all influence the outcome.

However, products sourced through unverified supply channels raise additional concerns about authenticity, potency, storage and quality control.

Parallel importation itself does not automatically mean a product is unsafe but it can definitely be. Proper regulatory authorisation and product traceability are essential.

In aesthetic medicine, precision is everything.

The goal isn’t simply to relax muscles. It’s to relax the RIGHT muscles, at the RIGHT dose, while preserving natural movement and expression.

Know your injector. Know your product. Never compromise on safety.

The secret to beautiful lip filler? It’s NOT starting with the lips.Beautiful lips don’t exist in isolation. They need a...
19/10/2026

The secret to beautiful lip filler? It’s NOT starting with the lips.

Beautiful lips don’t exist in isolation. They need a face that can carry them.

1. Facial balance comes FIRST.
Lip volume should complement your facial proportions, not compete with them. Without the correct structural balance, even expertly placed filler can look unnatural.

2. Refine the lips LAST.
My approach is to address facial balance and correct volume loss before completing the aesthetic result with lip enhancement.

Why does this matter?

Because the goal isn’t simply fuller lips. It’s lips that belong to YOUR face.

Natural animation. No awkward proportions. No obvious filler. Just beautiful, age-appropriate enhancement that moves naturally with every expression.

That is the difference between adding volume and achieving true facial beautification.

12/10/2026

Running on empty before the year is even over?

Year-end fatigue is real. Between work deadlines, social commitments, disrupted routines and the pressure to finish the year strong, your energy levels can take a serious knock.

The solution isn’t always another supplement or an extra cup of coffee. Sometimes, it’s about getting the basics right.

7 daily habits to support your energy levels:

1. Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep and maintain consistent sleep and wake times.

2. Eat for sustained energy: Include protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates in your meals to support stable energy levels throughout the day.

3. Stay hydrated: Even mild dehydration can contribute to fatigue, headaches and poor concentration.

4. Get morning sunlight: Natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, supporting daytime alertness and better sleep.

5. Move your body: A daily walk or moderate exercise can improve mood and energy. Remember, recovery is equally important.

6. Manage your caffeine: Avoid relying on caffeine to compensate for inadequate sleep, particularly later in the day.

7. Schedule actual downtime: Your nervous system needs periods of recovery. Being constantly productive is not the same as being healthy.

And remember: Persistent fatigue isn’t always a lifestyle problem. Iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, sleep disorders and other medical conditions may contribute and deserve proper assessment.

You don’t need to push harder to finish the year stronger. Sometimes, you need to recover smarter.

08/10/2026

Trending doesn’t always mean worth trying.

In aesthetic medicine, trends come and go. But your facial anatomy, skin biology and long-term results deserve more consideration than what’s currently going viral.

Popular doesn’t always mean proven. Not every trending treatment has sufficient clinical evidence supporting its safety or effectiveness.

One face does not fit all. What looks beautiful on someone else may not complement your unique anatomy.

Short-term results aren’t the full picture. Consider how treatments may affect your appearance over time.

Technique matters more than trends. The right product, anatomical knowledge and practitioner experience make all the difference.

Innovation is exciting. Following trends blindly is not.

My philosophy? Treat the patient, not the trend. Good aesthetic medicine should enhance your individuality, not make everyone look the same.

05/10/2026

Lip filler today… but when will your lips actually look “normal” again? 👄

Lip filler usually has minimal true downtime, but your lips will not look like the final result immediately.

👉🏼 24–48 hours: Swelling and tenderness are most noticeable.
👉🏼 Days 3–7: Swelling and bruising gradually settle.
👉🏼 By 2 weeks: Lips are usually settled enough to assess the final result.

Remember: swelling can create temporary asymmetry, so try not to judge your result too early.

Plan your appointment with enough recovery time before important events — especially if you know that you bruise or swell easily.

Good lip filler is not just about the injection. Appropriate planning, aftercare and allowing the tissue time to settle are part of the treatment.

02/10/2026

Bruising after injectables? It can happen — and it’s usually nothing to worry about.

Even with careful treatment, bruising is always possible. Tiny blood vessels under the skin can sometimes be nicked during injections, and some areas — like the lips and under-eyes — bruise more easily than others.

A few things can make bruising more likely:

👉🏼 Aspirin, anti-inflammatories or blood-thinning medication
👉🏼 Supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo or garlic
👉🏼 Drinking alcohol around the time of your treatment
👉🏼 Strenuous exercise shortly before or after treatment
👉🏼 Naturally delicate blood vessels
👉🏼 If you tend to bruise easily
👉🏼 The area being treated and how many injections are needed

A bruise does not automatically mean something has gone wrong. It’s a common temporary side effect and usually fades on its own.

Please tell your practitioner about all medications and supplements you take before treatment. Some can increase bruising, but you should never stop, skip or change prescribed medication unless your prescribing doctor has specifically advised you to do so.

Careful treatment and good aftercare can help reduce bruising, but it can’t always be completely prevented.

29/09/2026

Up and coming summer love from the Benoni Team✊🏼🫶🏼

29/09/2026

Current operating system: 40% caffeine, 40% donut, 20% pretending December is close. ☕🍩

Fatigue is real.

December… hello? Is it me you’re looking for?

Midstream, thank you for your service.

25/09/2026

Some professional connections change the course of your work; the rarest ones change something far more personal.

Meeting my international AMI colleague, Dr Jake Sloane from Australia, co-founder of the esteemed Inside Aesthetics podcast, has been one of those rare privileges. What began as a professional connection has grown into something so much more: a teacher who challenges my thinking, a mentor I deeply respect, and a lifelong friend I never expected to find on the other side of the world.

The greatest opportunities in medicine are not always the stages, titles or achievements. Sometimes, they are the people you meet along the way—those who broaden your perspective, encourage you to grow and remind you how much there is still to learn as you work towards reaching your full potential.

I am deeply grateful for this friendship and for everything it has brought into my life.

And, importantly, for discovering that friendship can apparently be built on aesthetics, relentless education, good conversation, a shared Game of Thrones fandom…

Jake, I am grateful our paths crossed. Here’s to friendship grounded in curiosity, generosity, shared values—and always, of course, steak and potatoes.

🎥 : Dr Jake Sloane 🙏🏼

21/09/2026

The “best” skincare is not a product. It’s a plan.

Effective skincare should always start with a consultation and be built around your skin’s needs, your budget, and what is realistic to maintain long term.

The most expensive routine is not automatically the most effective—and a 10-step routine means very little if it is unnecessary, poorly tolerated or impossible to sustain.

Good skincare is targeted, evidence-based and adaptable as your skin changes.

Because the best routine is the one that is clinically appropriate and that you can consistently maintain.

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