You’ve hit the big 4-0, you’ve had at least two decades of creams and a few years of facials, and now it’s time to put your “40 is the new 20” mantra in your skin. When it comes to fighting the signs of age, there comes a time when you simply have to look outside the Botox. Here are five new arsenals in your over-40 game plan.
3D Skin Rejuvenation
Designed to rejuvenate skin texture and tone whilst also tightening contours, 3D Skin Rejuvenation offers a new dimension to laser treatments. Lasers in your thirties can target specific problem areas, but what of the others? 3D Facial Rejuvenation offers a supremely tailored treatment laser program that combines different technologies and use of light based treatments to achieve a superior 3-dimensional outcome.
“3D Skin Rejuvenation has the unique advantage of targeting all three issues of texture, toning and tightening of the skin in one treatment,” says Dr Will Mooney of FacePlus MediSpa. “In as little as one-hour all 3 treatments can be performed without a need for anesthetic, changing machines or downtime,” he notes. Other skin problems that can be treated include Rosacea and redness, broken capillaries, large pores and acne scarring.
Thermage
Wrinkles may come first, but slackening of skin arrives shortly after. This can prove particularly ageing even if you manage a way to remain relatively fine-line-free. The beauty of this non-invasive skin-tightening face contouring treatment is its ability to offer a completely balanced approach to tightening the entire face. Pain is low, and there is a bit of a wait on results whilst the collagen reforms, but when it happens, it really happens!
“Thermage enhances the natural shape of the face while at the same time, tightens and contours especially the jawline which can often be the first to go, giving a natural, fresh look,” says Kaye Scott, Founder and Co-director The Clinic. Via a heated, vibrating hand-piece, Thermage heats the deepest layers of your skin to help tighten existing collagen and stimulate your body’s natural renewal. This creates subtle, natural looking results like smoother skin, softened wrinkles and lines and an overall younger looking appearance.
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Our Editor road tested this treatment three months ago and is increasingly impressed with the subtle yet youth enhancing benefits of the treatment. Contours of her jawline are visibly firmer and more defined. The Eye area is lifted and an overall firmness of the face is noticeable in before and after photos. The real results will kick in at the 6 month point but already, the compliments are flooding in. She also notes that whilst the treatment is touted as being extremely uncomfortable, her personal experience was not so intense and comparable to other anti-aging treatments such as IPL or light lasers. Pain killers however are a must!
Sculptra
“I think the key is to just know where it is anatomically that is making us look tired or starting to change us, and getting rid of that before anyone else sees it,” says Dr Rebecca Fitzgerald MD, Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. Sculptra may prove just the remedy. A ‘volumizer’ – as opposed to a wrinkle filler – that replaces the natural volume (fat) loss that occurs as we age, Sculptra is made up of a synthetic injectable material known as “Poly-L-Lactic acid – harmless and biodegradable in the body – to restore the fuller, rounder silhouette of younger face. “It’s a very natural treatment,” explains Dr Rebecca Fitzgerald calls it the perfect choice for someone noticing a loss of volume in the face around the age of 40 because “the mechanism of action on Sculptra is to increase the natural amount of collagen.”
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Known as PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma or even ‘The Vampire Facial’ – depending on where you read up about it – this procedure involves using a patients own platelets – which contain an enormous amount of protein, including growth factors – to stimulate the body to produce new skin cells and collagen. “When you take the plasma and re-inject it, the best places to put it in are areas that are thin skinned,” explains Susie Hoitlink of Sydney’s Clear Complexions Clinic. “So where we get the best result are necks, décolletages, hands and eyes because they’re the areas that we don’t want to put too much damage.”
In the past a lot of fractionated lasers have been used in those areas and it can cause too much trauma of which the skin cannot respond with a significant enough repair, adds Susie. PRP can prevent this, but also be used in conjunction with lasers if your skin concerns warrant it. “We use it with fractioned lasers, you can also use it with Thermage, with Sculptra, our excel lasers…we can use it with anything.”
Rescu. Road test: The Ultraceuticals “Ultimate MD” Treatment
The “big-guns” of skin treatments, the Ultimate MD is designed for those already using the best possible products for their skin and need a little pampering and maintenance.
What is does: ageing benefits including improved skin tone and texture, increased collagen production, enhanced hydration and plumping of fine lines.
Who it’s for: Designed specifically for Ultraceuticals Ultra MD advanced skin care users who want maximum results.
The luxury treatment is coupled with the unmatched results that come from the advanced technology skin resurfacing, infusion of high active ingredients infrared LED (FDA approved Healite therapy) plus the facial massage with B2 hydrating serum and rich moisturiser – amazing for barrier repair and replenishing for this active treatment. No ingredients are spared.
Therapist, Lauren Dunn from the Heber Davis clinic said, “I felt a bit inspired to create a treatment for our ‘MD only’ users as I felt they should have non other then the best applied when having a facial treatment in order to receive the best. Many clients on this range already have amazing skin, I quite often say to them “what are we going to do today? Your skin looks so good” .. So after much thought, it’s our duty to give them a bit of luxury with added results as a thank you for looking after their skin with such dedication.”
RRP: $300 www.heberdavis.com.au
image credit: anti-ageing treatments Penelope Cruz zimbio.com