Patients demand a nonsurgical approach with little to no downtime to defy aging and squeeze into their social calendars or their pocket book. Those who fear surgery would prefer the needle to the knife. The following are 7 ways to defy aging without surgery.
Related: The Elderly Adult: Impact of Aging on the Body, 2nd Edition
Neuromodulators designed to defy aging
Botox® or Dysport® relaxes dynamic facial muscles. These neuromodulators function by blocking the nerves that contract the muscles. This results in fewer wrinkles and smoother skin. Common treatment areas include:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead
- Brows
Neuromodulators in the lower face reduce wrinkles around the lips, dimpling of the chin, relax the mental crease across the chin, improve the appearance of the marionette lines, and reduce the downward-turned corners of the lips. In addition, a more defined neckline can result with injections of the platysmal bands in the neck. With strategic placement, patient’s can look less angry or sad and overall more refreshed, happy and youthful.
Liquid facelift
Experts use a variety of tissue fillers and collagen activators in combination with Botox® or Dysport® to relax dynamic muscles and replace volume. Liquid facelift can erase fine lines and wrinkles as well as recontour, reshape, reposition and lift sagging skin. Liquid facelifts can result in a more youthful appearance and eliminate the need for facial surgery. Specialized providers can perform a non-surgical nose job in minutes, quickly correcting asymmetries and adjusting for ideal facial proportions. Replacing lost volume in the hands can rejuvenate their appearance to match the face.
Kybella®
A “double chin” or fullness of the neck creates a heavier or older silhouette. Genetics and weight gain are key indicators of this condition. Kybella® contains a naturally occurring molecule, which destroys fat cells permanently while leaving other tissue unaffected. An average of 2 to 4 office injection sessions can result in an individual appearing to have lost weight and look younger.
Microneedling
Microneedling utilizes a pen shaped tool with very fine needles to create micro punctures in the skin. Common uses for microneedling include acne scarring, surgical or traumatic scars, hyper or hypopigmentation, melasma, pore reduction, fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, other skin texture disorders and overall rejuvenation of the skin. Experts can microneedling on the face and other body parts. The micro punctures in the skin create controlled microtrauma of the tissue and stimulates the skin cells to proliferate. Microneedling prompts the body’s repair mechanism. As cells proliferate, new tissue forms with new collagen, elastin fibers, and improved circulation to the area. Microneedling results in plumper, thicker skin, improved texture, reduced pore size, improvement in pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
Platelet rich plasma
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a revolutionary procedure gaining popularity in aesthetics. Orthopedic surgery and cardiac surgery are utilizing a patient’s own rejuvenating properties with platelet rich plasma for facial rejuvenation, tissue repair and healing. Experts now use PRP in a variety of aesthetic applications in combination with various skin rejuvenation modalities. PRP is useful in scalp rejuvenation for hair loss, scar rejuvenation, the P-Shot® for men and O-Shot® for women for vaginal rejuvenation, improved sexual function and incontinence.
Sclerotherapy
Aging often comes with unsightly leg and hand veins. Sclerotherapy injects a solution into the veins, which causes the veins to collapse. The collapsed veins usually fade within a few weeks. In some instances it may take several months, but appropriate intervention during the healing process may facilitate more rapid fading. Best results take an average of 1 to 4 sessions. Patients can return to work immediately. Experts recommend using a compression hose for 1 to 2 weeks. Patients should walk 20 minutes twice a day to prevent blood clots. Avoid heavy lower body exercises like squats
Silhouette Instalift™
The Silhouette Instalift™ is a breakthrough facial rejuvenation procedure that lifts sagging facial skin without the need for surgery, scars or general anesthesia.
The Silhouette Instalift™ procedure involves insertion of resorbable sutures with bidirectional biodegradable cones to lift the deeper layers of the skin and recontour the face. This office procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to perform.
The cones engage with the subcutaneous tissue and create a mechanical fixation with traction, acting as an anchor resulting in immediate lifting of the skin. The regenerative benefits result from collagen stimulation and subsequent encapsulation of the suture. This biological fixation of tissue maintains the lift. The body produces collagen over time. Patients report a gradual and natural improvement in volume and shape of the cheeks, midface and jowls.
