Desi Today Magazine
Vampire Facelift
Looking for something more natural than a neurotoxin of synthetic filler to restore youthful skin? Your own blood platelets may be your answer. A completely natural filling agent, the most natural because it’s derived from your own plasma, this filler costs half as much as the current fillers on the market.
During the 45-minute procedure, which is sometimes called the ‘vampire facelift’, a small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn, then spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelets that are used to create platelet-rich plasma (PRP). When injected under problem areas, like crow’s-feet or under the eyes, it’s believed to stimulate new cell growth and restore volume. There’s almost no downtime, although a cold press may be used to ease initial swelling.
Since PRP is made from the patient’s own blood, the chance of rejection or allergic reaction is virtually none with results that can last up to 18 months. The injected PRP is said to start boosting collagen production right away, and results can be seen anywhere from 10 days to three weeks.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Deemed the ‘fountain of youth’, cosmetic acupuncture is a safe alternative for those who are hesitant to go under the knife. Popular in Japan and China, Cosmetic Acupuncture has been performed for thousands of years to bring out inner radiance.
Thin flexible needles are inserted under the skin along energy pathways, which work by improving circulation throughout the body, stimulate collagen production, tone and relax muscles, and hydrating and nourishing the skin.
During a cosmetic acupuncture treatment, the underlying causes to aging are targeted which works to correct the root cause of aging rather than superficially masking the signs of aging. One course of treatment usually involves twelve 1.5-hour sessions. Results can last up to 3-5 years.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a great option for those who do not want the expense, permanence, and downtime that come with surgery, or for those looking to “touch up” their cosmetic surgery results. These products can smooth wrinkles, fill in folds or indentations, change facial shape, and augment cheeks or lips. This facial rejuvenation treatment offers patients beautiful results that last for months, with little to no recovery time.
During the dermal filler procedure, the dermal filler gel is applied under the skin in tiny amounts using a very fine needle. The procedure can be mildly uncomfortable.
The dermal filler treatment procedure can take up to an hour to complete. However, most treatments only take 5 to 10 minutes.
Thermage
Thermage is a safe, non-invasive treatment that delivers tighter skin, renewed contours and healthier collagen, the building block that provides structure to your skin. An excellent treatment for the face and areas such as the abdomen, Thermage rebuilds your skin’s foundation so that you can experience smoother, tighter skin with a more youthful appearance.
The Thermage procedure employs a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology called ThermaCool. It has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike some lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types.
Botox
Botox is an extremely effective treatment for reducing wrinkles such as crow’s feet (eye wrinkles), forehead wrinkles, and frown lines. It targets dynamic wrinkles that are caused by repeated creasing of the skin during facial movements such as frowning, squinting or smiling.
When administered by an experienced physician and Botox specialist, the results from a Botox injection should be natural looking and enhance your appearance—not change it.
When injected precisely into the muscles responsible for the dynamic wrinkles, the protein in Botox relaxes the muscles, preventing the creases from forming in the skin. The Botox injection won’t affect the sensory nerves or other elements of your facial expression, so your face won’t look frozen or feel numb after the treatment. The overall result is a younger, more relaxed-looking appearance.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Peel
Chemical peels that use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic and citric acids are considered the lightest of all chemical peel solutions. These superficial peels are often referred to as “lunchtime peels” and have quickly become the popular peel of choice for those who cannot spare the time it takes to recover from more aggressive chemical peel solutions.
AHA peels provide gentle exfoliation and skin rejuvenation results that retexture, smooth and brighten the skin. Rough or dry patches can be resurfaced, uneven pigmentation spots can be reduced and the look of fine lines and wrinkles can be improved as cell turnover is increased and damaged skin cells are shed. Various concentrations of AHA peels with high levels of glycolic acid also prove to be effective for the improvement of mild acne by stripping away plugs of keratin, oil and dirt that often lead to outbreaks.
