New-age Techniques
You should look your age, people may tell you. Absolutely. But how soon you should start fighting ageing is completely your choice. Experts say that some start opting for various anti-ageing or skin rejuvenation treatments right from their 20s. This is simply because they not only want to halt ageing, but also wish to save their skin from discoloration, dullness and other kinds of irregularities. These days, extremely sophisticated and high-end skin rejuvenation techniques are being experimented with not only in the West, but also in India. The best part about these techniques is, most of these do not require you to go under the knife; insofar as non-invasive or minimally invasive therapies are concerned, you’d indeed be spoilt for choice.
When should you start looking?
How one reacts to ageing, of course, depends on the individual. One can be following a basic skin care routine that involves cleaning, toning, moisturising and applying sun blocks and yet would like to achieve a more glowing and poreless complexion. Some can get early signs of ageing right from their 30s — fine lines and wrinkles may arrive unannounced. On top of these, there can be dark spots, pigmentation and sagging skin. In that case, one can also wish to opt for non-invasive skin rejuvenation techniques to stop premature ageing. Therefore, in such cases, which therapies should be the ideal starting point? Says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, YAVANA Aesthetics Clinic, “Assuming CTM and exfoliating routines are followed, you can start with basic skin treatments such as laser rejuvenation, photo facials for skin tightening and chemical peels for dark spots and pigmentation. Facial fillers can treat early lines and wrinkles as well. Non-surgical thread lift also can be added to contour the jawline and reduce double chin.”
Forties are the time when one should be extra careful as deeper skin issues can start bothering women. “This is the age when hormones play havoc on your body and skin, with wrinkles becoming more and more visible, especially around the eyes and the mouth. Then there would be dryness, hyperpigmentation and age spots,” says Dr Sapna V Roshni, cosmetic surgeon and skin expert, Cocoona Centre of Aesthetic Transformation. “In addition to the regular skin care regimen, one needs to exfoliate the skin more often. Hydrating serums and anti-oxidants play an important role.” At this age, cosmetic treatments such as neuro-toxin injections help to iron out wrinkles on the face. “Dermal fillers can correct deeper wrinkles and make the face look more youthful,” says Dr Roshni. “Laser treatments to rejuvenate and resurface the ageing skin may also be undertaken. One can also opt for surgical treatments such as face and neck lift, forehead lift, brow lift and blepharoplasty to get rid of eye bags and loose eyelid skin.”
Popular treatments
Dermabrasion: Basically, dermabrasion removes the uppermost skin layers using a special instrument. This should be performed by a trained cosmetologist. This procedure helps in reducing deep acne scars, brown spots and sun damage. If carried out properly, this particular skin rejuvenation treatment can ensure a beautiful and smoother skin.
Meso Glow or Meso Therapy: This procedure uses brightening agents such as glutathione, tranesxemic acid, hydrating agents, vitamins and minerals and micropuncture techniques. Combined with other treatments, it can definitely help in getting back skin radiance. Generally, a micropuncture technique (using wires and needles) is used. It is one of the most popular treatments with aestheticians. It is safe when executed by a person who’s thoroughly trained in mesotherapy. “It cannot be used for treatment of a pigmentation disorder or anti-ageing alone; when combined with other treatments, it can definitely get you back your skin’s youthfulness,” stresses Dr Trasi.
Carbon Peeling: This is also quite a popular option. The name, apparently, comes from the fact that this procedure involves application of a thin layer of carbon powder on the face which is subsequently heated up by means of the Quasi-long action of laser HELIOS II and then removed by the Q-switched action of the same laser device, according to Dr Trasi. She adds, “A final pass, after the carbon has been removed, will produce an immediate effect on the skin by exfoliating epidermal layers, improving skin tone, removing large pores and reducing wrinkles.”
Photorejuvenation: Uses lasers, intense pulsed light or photodynamic therapy to treat skin conditions and remove effects of photoageing such as wrinkles and spots. It also helps in doing away with wrinkles, spots and textures. “Fractional lasers like erbium yag / Co2 fractional can be used to re-surface the skin and lighten acne scars, age spots, photoageing and superficial fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr Trasi.
Oxy Facial: It’s a non-invasive, relaxing and painless skin care. “A Jet Facial or an Oxy Facial reaches the inner layers of the skin for instant and superior results,” says Dr Trasi. “It cleanses with oxygen and saline, exfoliates, boosts lymphatic drainage and provides extraction benefits. Thoroughly and deeply cleansed, the skin is prepped into an optimal condition to receive further benefits from skin care.” What’s more, such treatments are short, ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, and they can leave the skin soft and glowing. “With no irritation or redness to the skin, you will be able to return to your daily activities immediately after the treatment,” says Dr Trasi. “Many opt for this skin treatment once every 10 to 30 days,” she adds.
Mini Hydra Boost Facial: Since most of you could be having extremely hectic schedules, you can try out express facials. Take the Mini Hydra Boost Facial at VLCC salons. “Mini Hydra Boost Facial will infuse the skin with intense moisture and reduce oxidative stress,” says Luthra. To the uninitiated, oxidative stress is, basically, an imbalance between free radical production and the body’s power to offset their negative or harmful effects through antioxidants neutralisation.
Sygmalift: Experts that it’s another highly effective alternative to invasive or surgical face lifts. Like ultherapy, it’s a high focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure, but it’s normally combined with cold laser. Needless to say, it has higher skin penetrative power and can heal affected areas in a more targeted way.
Facial Fillers: This procedure uses injectable gels that can smoothen wrinkles, iron out lines and folds and fill up scars and other depressions on the skin surface. According to Dr Jaishree Sharad, cosmetic dermatologist, temporary fillers made with Hyaluronic acid (HA) can last for about a year. “They are safe and can help in forming the body’s natural moisturiser. Permanent fillers, on the other hand, are synthetic and last longer, but there is a rare possibility of infection or granuloma with them,” she says. “HA fillers are mostly used on sunken eyes. They help to make the eyes look much more youthful and fresh. These fillers are also used to lift eyebrows, fill the temples and also to fill the cheeks. They help to recreate cheek bones in younger women, and also make a flat nose sharp without surgery. Other uses of HA fillers include filling thin lips to create a pout, removing laugh lines, recreating a sharp jawline, filling thin earlobes and making wrinkled hands look smoother and youthful.” This is considered better than surgery for various reasons. “Firstly, it is cheaper than face lift surgery. Secondly, if you don’t like the way your face looks after the injection, it can be dissolved with another injection called hyaluronidase within two hours,” adds Dr Sharad.
Team Rejuvee