Standing majestically on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is one of the most revered architectural wonders in the world. Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, this white marble masterpiece is not just a symbol of love—it’s a testament to the harmony of design, structure, and refinement. Beneath its breathtaking beauty lies an expertly crafted foundation, intricate symmetry, and an interplay of light and shadow that define its grandeur. Yet, its preservation depends on continuous care—protecting the marble from pollution, maintaining its luster, and reinforcing its structural integrity. In many ways, a well-balanced aesthetic approach mirrors this philosophy: fillers provide the structure and balance, while lasers refine, restore, and maintain the skin’s health.
The Home Analogy: Structure vs. Surface
Imagine your face as a home. The bones and fat pads act as the framework, giving support, shape, and proportion. The skin, like the walls and paint, is what the world sees—its health and quality influencing the overall appearance.
We’ve all seen faces where filler is overdone—puffiness, distortion, and a loss of natural facial dynamics. Conversely, some individuals dedicate themselves to skincare and lasers but neglect the underlying structure, leading to hollowing and sagging. True aesthetic balance requires both—structure and surface, filler and laser.
Contribution By Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
Dr. Chantal Lunderville is a board-certified physician specializing in skin health, aesthetic medicine, and Women’s health. She attended medical school at UCLA School of Medicine, followed by a residency at UCSF Family Medicine, and on graduating opened her own concierge aesthetics practice in the San Francisco Bay Area focusing on hormone health, skincare, and longevity.
Since then Dr. Lunderville has grown her practice to include overseeing nurses and aestheticians as medical director to over 15 practices across California, and through Dr. C’s Academy helps to launch new practices across the US and Canada through consulting and online courses in business, compliance, aesthetic procedures including neurotoxin, fillers, lasers, microneedling, and lasers. Read Full Bio
Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
Ask Dr. C
Dr. C AKA Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A’s Medical Editor, is here to help you learn and grow! If you have a question about the medical / spa skincare industry, this is your opportunity to ask a Board Certified Physician!
Ask questions about regulations, compliance, procedures, combining modalities, protocols, injectables, lasers, how to build your sales revenues, or how to build yourself as an expert!
The Aging Face: A Dual Process
1. Skin Quality: The Layers of a Sandwich
As we age, the integrity of our skin diminishes. Think of skin as a multi-layered sandwich, with the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers stacked together. Over time:
- Collagen and elastin decrease, leading to fine lines and laxity.
- Barrier function weakens, increasing water loss and sensitivity.
- Pigmentation and inflammation rise, causing uneven skin tone and texture.
2. Structural Changes: The Deflation Effect
Beneath the skin, we lose bone and fat. Cheeks flatten, jawlines recede, and temples hollow out, creating a deflated, aged appearance. Without volume, the skin has little support, leading to sagging and deeper folds.
This is why both skin health and structural support must be addressed together.
March 2025 L+A Report
5 Must Have Modalities In Modern Medical Aesthetics
Aesthetic device technology in the medical + spa skincare industry is evolving rapidly, with cutting-edge technologies transforming how professionals approach skin and body treatments. From LED light therapy and microneedling to microcurrent, laser treatments, and infrared saunas, these advanced modalities are now essential in aesthetic practices.
The Role of Lasers: Skin Fitness Over Time
How Do Lasers Fit In?
Achieving optimal skin quality isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing commitment, much like staying in shape. Daily, weekly, and yearly actions build long-term skin health.
Consider this comparison:
- Daily: You eat well and move your body → You use medical-grade skincare and sunscreen.
- Weekly: You work out consistently → You exfoliate and nourish your skin.
- Yearly: You do a fitness challenge or detox → You commit to a series of lasers, peels, or microneedling.
What Do Lasers Actually Do?
Lasers work by damaging targeted tissues in a controlled way, prompting the skin to heal and regenerate. Depending on the wavelength, lasers can:
- Target melanin (e.g., PICO lasers break apart pigment with sound waves).
- Heat water in the skin to stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen (e.g., CO2 lasers).
- Improve density, texture, and elasticity, creating a stronger foundation for skincare products to work more effectively.
The Role of Fillers: Supporting & Enhancing Natural Harmony
At Elev, we prioritize skin health first. We often laser first—allowing skin to rebuild structure, tighten, and repair—before adding filler strategically. This shift is especially noticeable in under-eye treatments, where we now often use regenerative options like PRFM, PRP, polynucleotides, or lasers first before adding filler for a finishing touch.
Volume Loss & The Natural Filler Revolution
Gone are the days of overfilled ‘pillow faces.’ Today’s patients seek subtle, undetectable enhancements, restoring harmony rather than dramatically altering features. Just five years ago, the most common request was “Kylie lips” regardless of natural lip shape. Now, we focus on:
- Hydration & volume restoration rather than exaggerated augmentation.
- Enhancing natural facial balance rather than chasing trends.
Facial Harmony: Where Filler Has the Biggest Impact
There are countless techniques for facial balance, but these top five areas consistently provide the highest yield:
- Cheeks – Restoring youthful midface volume.
- Chin shadows – Improving projection and balance.
- Temples – Preventing a hollow, gaunt look.
- Lips – Subtle hydration and definition.
- Jawline – Refining contours for a structured appearance.
A Taj Mahal Approach to Aesthetics
Just as the Taj Mahal’s beauty relies on both its solid marble structure and the meticulous care of its surface, a well-balanced approach to facial aesthetics combines fillers for structure and lasers for skin quality. A structure without healthy skin is like an architectural marvel hidden under layers of decay. Beautiful skin without support is like a stunning façade with no foundation. The best results come from integrating both.
By prioritizing regenerative treatments, lasers, and skincare first, then using filler for refined support, we ensure natural, timeless results—just like the Taj Mahal, standing the test of time in both strength and beauty.
I hope this gives you some understanding of how we combine treatments, and also feel free to borrow these analogies to explain to your patients! Let me know how it goes.
