A healthy lifestyle can help our skin stay young. Daily moisturising, protecting skin from the sun, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can all help to reduce the signs of ageing. A balanced diet including antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables and essential fatty acids, combined with drinking plenty of water and limiting sugar and alcohol intake can also help to maintain a youthful appearance.
Scientific and technological advances have led to the development of treatments that offer additional ways to help our skin to stay firm, plump and smooth. Over the last few years the popularity of aesthetic procedures has grown rapidly, with more and more people visiting their aesthetician with the aim of preserving and restoring their skin’s youthful appearance.
There are many surgical and non-surgical treatments available to help achieve individual desired looks. If you’re considering aesthetic treatments or are curious as to what’s on offer, we spotlight eight popular techniques below.
Surgical procedures
Surgical treatments generally provide longer lasting effects than non-surgical procedures.
Eye bag removal
As the skin around the eyes ages, it can start to sag. Eye bag removal surgery can be used to remove excess skin and fat deposits from above and below the eye and to smooth crow’s feet, providing a more youthful appearance.
Face lifts
The aim of a face lift is to reduce skin sagging to make the face smoother and tighter. The areas that can be targeted are the cheeks, mouth, jowls (sagging skin below the cheeks and jaw), neck, forehead, eye areas and brows.
Brow lifts
Eyebrows are a major part of facial expressions and with age the outer part of the eyebrow can droop. A brow lift involves lifting the brow and tightening any excess skin and fatty tissue. The procedure is sometimes carried out with an upper eyelid lift.
Non-surgical procedures
Non-surgical techniques are only minimally invasive, much cheaper and have shorter recovery periods compared to surgical procedures.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels can be used to improve complexion and treat acne scars, pigmentation and age spots. The treatment is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest and back. Chemical reactions remove a layer of damaged skin and this minor injury caused to the skin initiates the production of new cell growth and increases production of collagen and elastin, giving skin a smooth appearance and healthier glow.
Toxin
Toxin is a naturally occurring protein which softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause the skin to wrinkle.
Laser treatments
Laser beams are used to gently burn off damaged skin and by creating injury to the old skin the body works to stimulate production of collagen and elastin, producing healthier looking skin. Laser treatment can be used to reduce scars, pigmentation and blemishes. Often a series of laser treatments is needed to achieve optimum results, however the process usually produces long lasting effects.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion intensely exfoliates using a fine jet of abrasive crystals to remove the top layer of skin, revealing new and younger looking skin underneath. The dead cells are vacuumed away during the procedure. The treatment stimulates blood flow and, as with chemical peels and laser treatments, minor injury to the skin enhances the production of collagen and elastin, leading to skin renewal and rejuvenation.
Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and sunken areas of the face. They provide volume and definition to lips and cheeks, improve the appearance of acne scars and can also be used to reduce hollowing and dark circles under the eyes.
An aesthetician will select the most appropriate type of dermal filler based on the characteristics of a person’s skin. Restylane dermal fillers are available as a range of gel textures which allow different levels of lift and volume to be achieved in different areas of the face. The advantage of a broad range of products is that treatment programmes can be tailored to help meet individual needs and treatment goals.
Everyone’s skin is different and if you are considering any form of aesthetic procedure it is important that you are aware of all choices available to you in order to make an informed decision. For further information on aesthetic procedures please contact an aesthetic healthcare professional who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Galderma, a global dermatology company committed to delivering innovative medical solutions to meet the needs of people throughout their lifetime, has created Restylane, a unique portfolio of products to help preserve, restore and maintain healthy skin. This unique range of hyaluronic acid-based products, provides different solutions to suit individual skincare needs. The Restylane portfolio of dermal fillers provide fullness, definition and rehydration and are available as a range of different gel textures which allow tailored treatment plans to be created to achieve your desired look. They can be used to target wrinkles such as nose to mouth lines, smile lines and marionette lines at the corner of the mouth.
Further information is also available at www.myskinjourney.co.uk
