In the past, cosmetic surgery was the best option to eliminate wrinkles. However, there have been significant advancements in non-invasive anti-aging treatments in the past decade. Those with skin renewal in mind now have more options that are less aggressive with minimal pain and better results.
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum toxin is a type of muscle relaxant originally used to treat muscle spasm. Today, it is also a popular anti-aging product and sold under the brand name Botox, Dysport and Myobloc. Essentially, Botox, Dysport and Myobloc work by paralysing muscles that cause repetitive facial movements such as frowning and smiling. These are said to be effective for treating frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet and neck lines.
Intense Pulsed Light
Intense pulsed light is commonly used for hair removal from the body but has also been successfully used for skin treatments, particularly pigmentation and broken capillaries. During an intense pulsed light treatment, varying wavelengths of light are applied on the problem areas. The treatment may cause mild redness and bruising but these usually subside a few days later.
Plasma Skin Resurfacing
Plasma skin resurfacing was developed as an alternative to the classic ablative resurfacing which literally burns off some of the skin. It works by damaging the skin in a controlled manner, resulting in the healing response and collagen production, which in turn allows the skin to remodel and rejuvenate. The damaging agent used is plasma, a high energy ionized gas that does not burn off skin. Instead the skin will turn bronze and begin to peel four days after treatment, taking two to four weeks to heal completely. Plasma skin resurfacing is often used for eliminating wrinkles, sun damage, acne scarring and superficial skin lesions.
Thermage
Thermage is a non-invasive skin tightening and contouring technique using radio frequency waves. It tightens the skin, smoothes out wrinkles and renews facial contours by causing immediate collagen contraction followed by new collagen production over a period of time. Results are usually visible four to six months after treatment. Thermage can also treat moles, warts and small surface blood vessels.
Fraxel Laser Treatment
The Fraxel laser has been used to treat various skin conditions such as sun damage, acne scarring, wrinkles and melasma. It works by penetrating fractions of skin spot by spot without breaking the skin’s protective outer barrier. The nature of the treatment allows the skin to heal and regenerate much faster than if the entire skin area were treated all at once.
A sunburned feeling and appearance may follow after the Fraxel laser treatment. The sunburned appearance can be covered by make-up. The skin will naturally bronze, peel and become a little flaky over the next two weeks. The use of a moisturizer can help reduce the dry flakes. Several treatments are often required.
Those who wish to have younger looking skin now have more skin renewal options than ever. Many treatments such as botulinum toxin, intense pulsed light, plasma skin resurfacing, thermage and Fraxel laser are non-invasive anti-aging treatments that women as well as men can opt for. However, be sure these procedures are carried out by qualified and experienced dermatologists or skincare specialists.
Those who find this article useful may also be interested in reading Supplements for Skin and Reducing Cellulite through Diet.
References:
- Kate Lovelace. “Injection Perfection” in Good Health & Medicine magazine. Sydney: ACP Magazine, May 2008.
- Smart Skincare Website
 |
