In this modern society where there is pressure for women to constantly look young and good looking. Unfortunately, ageing does happen and ageing skin is inevitably less resilient. While a good night’s sleep and excellent skincare products may help, it can only improve one’s appearance to a certain extent and it may be necessary to treat the skin on a deeper level. However, not everyone is ready to undergo invasive surgery. For those who don’t want to go under the knife, but still want to achieve a flawless and youthful appearance, there are many non-surgical treatments to address anti-ageing. We find out about some of the popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures and their effects.
Botox injections
Botulinum toxin injections, also known as Botox, are injections that ‘freeze’ muscles in order to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines and prevent them from deepening. As a result, one gets a more youthful and radiant look. Apart from reducing the lines on the face and neck, these injections can be used on the hands and the décolletage as well, in order to smooth and firm the skin and minimise the appearance of wrinkles. Although Botox injections require little to no recovery time, the results of these treatments are temporary, usually lasting from three to four months at a time. However, this procedure is incredibly effective, and can even be used for a non-surgical eyelift. If you fear being ‘expressionless’ and want a more natural, tailored result, you can go with a lower volume of Botox. As Dr Karen Soh, Founder and Medical Director of Privé Clinic and a leading doctor and trainer specialising in the field of medical aesthetics, explains, “Unlike traditional botox, Micro-Botox does not utilise the one-size-fits-all approach, which means every skin is unique and treatments should personalised.”
Dermal fillers and injectables
As we age, volume loss of skin, fat, muscle and bone shows up on our body as wrinkles or loss of that high cheekbone. As such, dermal fillers may help to smooth the lines and replenish the lost volume, which then restores one’s youthful appearance. Besides treating signs of ageing, dermal fillers can also add volume to the lips or non-surgical rhinoplasty by injecting them into specific areas of the nose to change its contour and reshape it quickly without the pain and long recovery of going under the knife.
Dermal fillers can be composed of either natural or synthetic substances and one of the most common compounds used is hyaluronic acid (HA), which naturally occurs in our skin. But like most other non-invasive cosmetic procedures, dermal fillers can last from six months to longer before gradually absorbed by the body.
Coolsculpting
Although CoolSculpting isn’t new, it’s increasing in popularity as a non-invasive alternative to liposuction. Dr Soh explained that CoolSculpting works by using controlled cooling technology to target and crystallise fat cells, effectively freezing them and then the body’s natural disposal processes will remove these dead fat cells. She said, “Rest assured that only fat cells are damaged, while the surface of the skin remains unharmed.” As such, CoolSculpting is great for those areas of the body that haven’t responded to traditional diet and exercise, such as the lower abdomen, love handles, back, and arms. It is quick (can be done during your lunchtime break), safe and incredibly efficient at removing excess fat from targeted problem areas, some have seen noticeable results after only one treatment that has no downtime. Nonetheless, everybody is different and it might take several sessions in order to see the full results.
“It’s important to note that fat-reduction treatments do not replace the benefits of regular exercise and a balanced diet. To increase the benefits of your CoolSculpting fat freezing treatment, you should observe an exercise and healthy diet programme after undergoing treatment,” Dr Soh added.
Laser facial treatments
For minor and less noticeable skin imperfections, such as large pores, sunspots and a dull or uneven complexion, laser facial treatments are the most popular skin-perfecting option. There are many types of laser facial treatments and it is best to consult a dermatologist so that you can get the treatment that your skin needs. For example, a simple brightening treatment such as the Pico treatment might do the trick.
Dr Soh went on to explain, “Pico Laser refers to a type of laser that works in ‘pico-seconds’ (one trillionth of a second), hence the name. When the laser light is being absorbed by the pigmented lesions, the light will vibrate, fragmenting the particles into really thin ‘dust’. The melanin and pigment particles are broken down in pico-seconds. This extreme speed, in turn, means that the skin takes lesser time to heat up, thus reducing the risk of hyperpigmentation.”
Some may need the Fotona 4D Laser treatment as it penetrates deeper into the medial and superficial connective structures of the skin, enabling significant collagen remodelling and reducing the risk of new acne inflammation. Whichever treatment it is, laser facials are done painlessly and can show noticeable results after only one treatment, with hardly any downtime after the procedure. However, some redness and irritation might occur if the treatment isn’t followed up by an appropriate skincare routine.
With so many non-invasive beauty treatments available, you have a lot more options to look youthful and radiant without the cost and downtime of a surgical procedure. Nevertheless, keep in mind that every procedure is only as good as the professional performing it, which is why it pays to do thorough research and consult with the doctors before trying out any of the above beauty treatments.
Privé Clinic
| Palais Renaissance 390 Orchard Road #03-03 Singapore 238871 |
Nex 23 Serangoon Central #02-28 Singapore 556083 |
Images: CoolSculpting, Shutterstock and Pixabay
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