How to rejuvenate skin sans cosmetic surgery
July 31st, 2008 - 6:36 pm ICT by ANI - Washington, July 31 (ANI): Want to bring back your skins lost lustre, but the thought of surgery scares you? Well, dont fret about it, for a whole arsenal of aesthetic procedures are available that work without visibly wounding the skin.
Dermatologist Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, FAAD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine in New York, has detailed the latest non-surgical options in skin rejuvenation for treating photodamage and pigmentation problems, wrinkles and textural changes, and loose skin.
As we age, the majority of these skin problems are a direct result of long-term sun exposure. Also, the loss and movement of the underlying fat layer of the skin over time causes us to lose volume in our skin creating that sunken in look. Fortunately, we now have a number of minimally invasive procedures that can be used either alone or in combination to combat the telltale signs of aging, said Kauvar.
For problems ranging from pigmentation, splotchy skin, redness due to enlarged vessels or capillaries, to dry, dull skin and loss of collagen, Kauvar suggested minimally invasive lasers and light sources that target affected areas of the skin with varying wavelengths and pulse durations without injuring the top layer of skin.
Kauvar added that peeling procedures can also improve the overall radiance of the skin and also remove some of the abnormal pigmentation from sun damage.
Although wrinkles are perhaps the most obvious changes that occur, enlarged pores and even acne scars often worsen as we get older resulting from the loss of collagen.
For treating large pores, Kauvar recommended the use of non-ablative lasers to heat the layer of tissue in the superficial dermis, resulting in the production of new, thicker and smoother skin.
While non-ablative lasers are designed for patients with superficial skin damage who are not expecting dramatic results, fractional non-ablative lasers can deliver better results for patients with more extensive signs of aging.
For patients with even deeper wrinkles and scars, fractional ablative lasers are considered comparable to the traditional ablative lasers, such as the CO2 laser, which requires much less downtime and the risks are lower than with other ablative lasers.
The popular injectible botulinum toxin, which works by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles, works well for these hard-to-treat wrinkles like frown lines and crows feet, when used in combination with skin resurfacing. For deeper folds and creases, such as vertical lip lines or smile lines, Kauvar suggested hyaluronic acid fillers.
With the further loss of collagen, the skin loses elasticity and becomes lax. These deeper folds result in jowl formation or what is commonly referred to as chicken neck. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to tighten loose skin.
Monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency, pulse infrared light and infrared lasers all work by deeply heating the skins tissue, which causes collagen contraction and new collagen production without visibly wounding the skin. To replace volume, a number of proven fillers can be used to plump up the skin. These filler materials stimulate collagen production, as the material injected into the skin is replaced by the bodys own collagen.
Fillers are an excellent option for softening angular lines, filling the hollows under the eyes and early jowl formation, and correcting deep smile lines. A patient with more advanced aging could benefit from a combination of procedures, such as lasers and fillers, to improve the overall appearance of their skin, said Dr. Kauvar.
However, Kauvar cautioned patients to thoroughly discuss their expectations with their dermatologist before considering this irreversible procedure.
For the average person with mild-to-moderate skin problems, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation offers a range of options to slow down or reverse the aging process. Your dermatologist can help you decide what procedures are right for you, said Kauvar.
Kauvar presented the various treatments at the American Academy of Dermatologys Summer Academy Meeting 2008 in Chicago. (ANI)
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August 1st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
There are ways to build collagen without undergoing any surgical procedures — include something you can do at home and it’s very inexpensive.
Besides procedures like laser skin resurfacing, hyaluronic fillers, botox and thermage, there are other things you can do at home to help maintain that once youthful look you had.
First apply copper peptides daily. Copper peptides are a combination of a copper ion and a peptide (a small protein fragment). They have anti-inflammatory capabilities, help enhance wound healing, and stimulate collagen production.
In short, they help encourage your skin’s natural ability to renew itself….much like it did when you were young.
Four clinical dermatological studies have proven the ability of copper peptides to have anti-inflammatory capabilities, help enhance wound healing, and — best of all — stimulate collagen production.
Women and men over 40 start losing collagen, which gives the face that nice, smooth, plump look.
Getting old is not only about wrinkles and staying out of the sun is not the total answer. You can hide from the sun until you turn into a mole, your still going to lose collage and lose that full plump look.
In addition to copper peptides, facial exercising helps regain that youthful look, by enhancing muscle fullness which replaces that beautiful baby fat our faces had when we were in our teens and twenties.
Facial exercising not only increase circulation to the skin, but improves the texture and elasticity of the skin.
Yes, it takes some time to do the exercises and No, it won’t improve your skin overnight and you have to keep doing it if you want to keep the results.
But it’s a permanent way to gain control over aging skin and is completely free.
There are some simple exercises you can do, even while driving your car — for example to help get rid of those pouches along the jaw line. It only takes a few minutes, but you must do them at least 5 times a week. Slight result will be seen within a few months.
Now I know that’s not fast enough for most us — but it’s free and doesn’t require surgery. Heck, I’m going to be stuck in traffic anyway, I might as well use my time wisely. Want more information about copper peptides and facial exercising? Read on…