Q&As Antiaging

1. How does Botox help with wrinkles?

Botox is a highly purified toxin that can temporarily remove or minimize horizontal lines, forehead lines, vertical frown lines, and crow’s feet that appear on the face with aging. Muscles on the face contracts hundreds of times a day leading to etched lines in the skin. Botox acts by slowing the action of these muscles and paralyzing it. It interferes with the nerve stimulation of the muscle causing excess facial expressions and when the muscles relax, unwanted wrinkles disappear. Botox injection procedure usually takes just a few minutes, but the full effect of the Botox can take 3-7days to manifest. The effect from Botox injection usually lasts about three to four months. After that period, the muscles will start contracting again and the wrinkles will eventually come back. For best results it is advisable to repeat botox injection once in 4-6 months.

2. What are different types of dermal fillers that help counter aging?

Hyaluronic acid derivatives called glycosaminoglycan biopolymers are quite similar to substances found in the dermis or lowest layer of skin. The effect of dermal fillers usually lasts between nine to twelve months. Apart from resulting in very few adverse effects, hyaluronic acid derivatives work well with countering the effects of aging. Another type of dermal filler is Calcium hydroxylapatite which is a constituent of bone that can be used to augment soft tissue in the face including nasolabial folds also known as smile lines or laugh lines. If injected superficially, calcium hydroxylapatite can cause lumps or nodules and hence it is injected into the deep dermis as well as sub dermis. A much safer dermal filler alternative is Autologous fat which is fat taken from a person’s own body and then injected into her face. Autologous fat is used to recontour the face and give it more volume. As one ages there is volume loss resulting in signs of ageing like teartrough deformity,nasolabial folds,malar mound loss,thin lips.All these can be corrected with fillers which is a simple opd procedure with no downtime and no complications when done by a qualified trained injector.

3. How effective is PRP treatment for anti-aging?

PRP therapy has numerous applications in the field of cosmetology. The topical application of PRP can lead to stimulation of the skin rejuvenation process in the aged face. With the injection of PRP, secretion of collagen and other key components of the extracellular skin matrix occurs and this helps skin appear youthful. PRP injections can also be used for the photoaged skin in the lower eyelid area to appear more refreshed. PRP therapy is an efficient, safe, pain-free and fast method to treat wrinkles and dark circles under the eye. In aesthetic medicine, various cosmetic facial procedures have been developed to make use of the benefits of PRP therapy to achieve revitalization of the skin. PRP therapy has also shown great results in hair regrowth. The injection of PRP has been shown to stimulate hair growth in males with severe hair loss, which is an issue for many as they age.

4. What are some methods to prevent premature aging?

To prevent premature skin aging make it a point to protect your skin from the sun every day. By using long-sleeved shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection — and with a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant. Smoking greatly speeds up skin aging and it causes wrinkles and a dull complexion. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and this may help prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging. A diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging. Alcohol is also rough on the skin as it dehydrates the skin and damages it. Moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system and gives the skin a refreshed look. Cleanse your skin gently as irritating the skin accelerates aging. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat, helmet or even the mask, irritates the skin, so wash skin as soon as possible after sweating. Moisturize everyday as moisturizer traps water in the skin giving it a youthful appearance.

5. What are the benefits of chemical peels?

Chemical peels stimulate new skin growth by creating a controlled injury in a specific depth. By doing this ,skin texture gets improved. The right peel can effectively treat common aging skin concerns like acne, acne scars, age spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, rough skin, sun damage, and fine lines. Chemical peels can be either superficial or deep and they can be customized to suit the skin type or the specific concerns. Chemical peels are a non – surgical treatments that can be performed on an outpatient basis. Chemical peels aren’t painful. Depending on the peel depth and the pain threshold so a mild sedative and painkiller will be sufficient. Peels are not as expensive as laser resurfacing procedures. In order to boost the skin’s radiance fast, a light peel can give an immediate glow, with little to no downtime. A series of light peels can make quite a noticeable difference over time.

6. What is the need for antiaging treatments?

Anti-aging treatments work to slow or delay the aging process. Some anti-aging treatments have temporary benefits while others could last for years. Along with the physical benefits of anti-aging treatments like reducing the appearance of wrinkles or firming and plumping skin it is the confidence and self-esteem that is a much better benefited. All anti-aging treatments require one to be healthy to be eligible for procedures. There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments available to help fight the effects of aging. Apart from sun damage issues the other causes of aging do require clinical diagnosis and then treatment that is suitable for the skin type and concern. Deep wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin can be treated after a cosmetologist evaluates the best method for you. It could be just a single procedure or a mix of treatments depending on the aging patterns.

7. How is the dermabrasion procedure done?

Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that can help improve the texture of the skin. The procedure involves controlled removal of the outer to middle layers of skin, removes surface and deeper skin layer damage and encourages the growth of new skin. It can help with treating scars, age spots, sun damage, and fine lines and wrinkles. It can also spot treat small areas, like the upper lip or cheeks, or it can be performed over the entire face. Newer skin rejuvenation procedures such as laser resurfacing though is getting more popular than dermabrasion. Dermabrasion improves the skin contour as a new layer replaces the treated surface, resulting in a new youthful-looking face. It heals without any residual scarring. It also helps treat uneven texture of skin, redness on the nose, scars from surgery or injury and sun damage.

8. What are the advantages of Botox?

The major advantage of Botox is that it is much more economical than other alternative anti-aging treatments. The other top benefit is the speed at which the results can be seen when compared to other treatments. It will only take a maximum of one week for the full effects of Botox treatment to be visible. The procedure itself is speedy and many prefer this quick approach to receiving treatment as they can work their schedules around this. Botox injections are less invasive than other cosmetic procedures such as facelifts .The side effects of the procedure are pretty minimal and it can get only problematic if it is performed by an uncertified cosmetologist. The most beneficial advantages of Botox are that it can be used to treat such a large number of cosmetic and medical conditions and it is a versatile and invaluable anti-aging treatment.

9. What are the benefits of micro needling for antiaging?

In the process of micro needling, tiny sterilized needles are used to rupture the skin forming micro pricks. This enhances the production of the proteins collagen and elastin that hydrate the skin and contribute to cell regeneration. Micro needling can help heal dry and chapped skin, fine lines, acne scars,uneven skin texture. It heals the skin from within,it is collagen induction therapy. Collagen not only helps in controlling wrinkles but also in reducing pigmentation. Collagen can also naturally shrink the size of the pores, making the skin look flawless and beautiful. Micro needling creates numerous micro holes in the skin enable the creams or serums to dab onto the skin to work better. The production of collagen slows down due to aging and this can be enhanced by the process of micro needling. Collagen tightens sagging skin and nourishes it from within making skin look hydrated.

10. What is the best age to start antiaging treatments?

There is no specific age when one should start using products targeted at reversing the signs of aging. About 90% of how the skin ages is due to exposure to UV rays so it is highly important to use proper sun protection and plan on being sun smart from a young age. The results will surely show in the later years. Many people begin noticing signs of aging as young as their early 20s, so this is a good time to start incorporating more targeted anti-aging products into the skin care routine. From the 20s, begin by adding in antioxidants like vitamin C and growth factors to counter the pathological signs of aging and to help repair damage from sun, stress, pollution and other aging factors. In a way, genetic factors also play a large part in determining how aging can progress. Some people age much early than others and whereas for others they never seem to age. You can’t change your genes but you can protect them by using SPF, having a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.