AGING SKIN CARE

The latest advances in anti aging solutions, skin rejuvenation and wrinkles management ensure that men and women today have all the armour and ammunition to battle the visible signs of the natural aging process. Photo Facials, BOTOX®, Restylane, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, are some of the options available, in addition to natural therapies such as acupuncture and stimulation of facial pressure points.

Gone are the days that the 40th birthday signified the end of life as a vital, beautiful, sexy woman! It's possible to rejuvenate your appearance to look younger and, perhaps even more alluring than in your youth, with the help of the newest anti aging strategies. Men too, although their shelf-life was at least some 20 years longer than that of women, can enjoy a longer period of 'prime'.

What causes wrinkles? Over time, skin undergoes many changes including a decrease in cell division and the thinning of the inner layers (the dermis) of the skin. Fat cells beneath the dermis diminish as well as its network of elastin and collagen fibers. Habitual small muscle contractions add to the cause of common wrinkles. Our facial expressions are made by strong muscle contractions, and over time, create forehead lines and the vertical creases between our eyes. Referred to as frown lines or crow’s feet these facial lines and wrinkles build up through a combination of aging, heredity, muscle action, sun damage and gravity.

Sun damage is perhaps the most important cause of premature aging of the skin and skin cancers.

Facial lines, creases and wrinkles can now be successfully treated by a number of new anti aging and anti wrinkle options.

Photo Facial or Photo Rejuvenation Treatments: During the past few years high energy pulsed CO2 and
Erbium YAG lasers have been used very successfully for patients with wrinkles. Patients with wrinkles and uneven skin texture and broken facial blood vessels can also expect to see considerable improvement. The positive results are created by modeling and molding of facial collagen and elastic tissue. Facial skin with fine facial wrinkles, slightly loose skin, age spots and pigmentation and broken blood vessels can be improved by photo facials or facial photo rejuvenation.

"Light" facials work without the scabs and downtime created by the higher energy pulsed CO2 and Erbium YAG lasers. Some collagen tightening and remodeling occurs with repeat treatments. Pulsed light systems are similar to lasers, but use a larger, more diffused beam for safe, fast and comfortable treatments.The IPL Quantum Laser is an advanced system used for photo facial rejuvenation. Pulses of intense, concentrated light are directed onto the skin and absorbed by the melanin in pigmented lesions, such as age, sun, and liver spots. In the long term, the delivery of precise amounts of light energy through the skin's surface is said to stimulate the production of collagen. As the new collagen forms, it softens the appearance of aging skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are decreased and the redness associated with rosacea can be dramatically reduced. Photo facial treatments restore a more youthful appearance and improve skin texture without any downtime – allowing you to return to work or leisure activities immediately. Another advantage is that they're a low cost face lift, costing much less than would a cosmetic surgical procedure.

Most people notice considerable changes after the very first photo facial treatment. The appearance of sun and age spots is remarkably reduced. A photo facial treatment also improves the look of skin areas affected by wrinkles, redness, rosacea, broken capillaries, pigmentation and enlarged pores, clogged pores and open pores. In the treatment of broken capillaries and rosacea it acts differently. The pulsed light weakens the walls of the vessel, heating the hemoglobin, causing it to collapse and disappear.

The advantage of a photo facial treatment is that it is much less invasive than surgery, and most patients don't find the tingling sensation to be painful, although 'the sound and light show' may cause some alarm!

Microdermabraison: Microdermabrasion is an advanced technique to improve the look, feel and texture of skin by revitalizing dull or oily skin and enlarged and clogged pores. Microdermabrasion helps diminish fine wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars, through a process called of Particle Skin Resurfacing, which involves a highly controlled spray of fine salicylic acid crystals, applied under vacuum pressure to the skin. Treatments increase circulation, renew and soften skin, creating a discernibly smoother texture and tone. Microdermabrasion helps diminish fine wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars, through a process called of Particle Skin Resurfacing, which involves a highly controlled spray of fine salicylic acid crystals, applied under vacuum pressure to the skin. Treatments increase circulation, renew and soften skin, creating a discernibly smoother texture and tone. The crystals and the vacuum application smooth out imperfections and sun damage without damaging the skin. The stronger the vacuum pressure, the more effective the procedure, so the most aggressive treatments are those performed by doctors. Trained operators can also deliver treatments, using a less intense pressure, to gently exfoliate the skin leaving it soft and smooth.

One of the more technologically advanced systems for microdermabrasion treatments uses a small closed vacuum to gently treat the surface of the skin with small amounts of aluminum oxide particles. The particles and dead skin are suctioned back through the vacuum, creating a smoother and visibly enhanced appearance of the area treated.

In addition to facial skin, microdermabraison can be used also on the hands, and chest. Problem facial skin conditions such as oily or dull skin can also be corrected using microdermabrasion, as also early signs of aging, sun damage and other subtle facial imperfections

Being almost painless, microdermabrasion appeals to a wide range of patients with aging skin and problem skin, especially those who don't have the luxury of extended recovery time. It is the most-used cosmetic procedure in North America.

Chemical Peels: A Chemical Peel is a rapid renewal procedure that lifts dead cells off the surface of skin and stimulates reproduction in the living cells beneath. The result is visible, substantial improvement in the appearance of superficial lines and uneven pigmentation. Peels are especially effective in reducing the appearance of scars caused by acne, and enlarged pores.

Some Chemical Peels are composed of Salicylic acid, or beta hydroxyacid, which is found naturally in the bark of the willow tree. High concentrations of salicylic acid comfortably and safely exfoliate the dead cells of the skin, encouraging the skin’s natural process of regeneration. The peel is applied to the skin and left on for 5 minutes approximately. The peel disperses salicylic acid as micro crystals onto the skin, reaching even the tiniest lines and imperfections. After, your skin will look and feel smoother and tighter immediately.

Glycolic Acid Peels: Glycolic acid treats the epidermis (the upper layers of the skin), by promoting normal shedding, and stimulating the growth of new skin. After treatment, this layer becomes more uniform, resulting in a smoother skin texture. As it penetrates the deeper layers of the epidermis, the overall appearance of the skin is improved. Age spots, hyperpigmentation, festoons and fine lines under the eyes are softened. Large pores are reduced, blackheads disappear, and acne treatment is enhanced. Increased blood flow through the skin produces a healthy glow

Chemical peels give one a temporary tingling/hot sensation, but being far less costly, can be used for as a quick-fix, when one wants to look good for a special event.

BOTOX ®: is a purified protein muscle relaxing agent that is administered non-surgically by a physician or our nurse practioner. It is a formulation of botulinum toxin type A. This bacterium produces a protein that blocks the release of acetylcholine, thus reducing the activity of muscles that cause facial lines and wrinkles.


Facial expressions are formed over years by repeated and habitual muscle movements and contractions, creating forehead lines, crow's feet and the vertical creases between the eyes. These lines, creases and wrinkles can now be successfully treated with small injections of BOTOX ® directly into the muscles. These muscles become “paralyzed” and are unable to contract for a period of time. In this way an injection into the muscles around the eye would cause the wrinkles in that area to smoothen out. The paralysis gradually wears off, and periodic re-treatment is needed. The effects of an injection may last for 4-8 months.

BOTOX ® has been used in various surgical procedures to freeze muscles so surgery can be performed. It has also been used in eye conditions to stop twitching.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April of 2002 approved BOTOX ® for cosmetic use. Typical treatments use: Glabellar lines: (between and just above the eyebrows) 20-40 units of BOTOX ® Upper forehead lines: 25-40 units of BOTOX ® Crow's feet: (wrinkles and squint lines radiating outwards from the outer corners of the eyes) 10-20 units of BOTOX ® Anterior neck: (to reduce jowls, and to reduce vertical and horizontal lines on the anterior neck) 30-40 units of BOTOX ®. It can't be considered the most affordable treatment as currently the unit cost for BOTOX ® is around $12.00.
However, it is much less expensive, and less invasive than cosmetic surgery. Patients report only slight temporary discomfort from the procedure in the injected area.

And as a side benefit, BOTOX ® injections have been shown to actually have a positive and unexpected side effect. According to two studies presented at the 1999 annual meeting of The American Association for the Study of Headache in Boston, injecting Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) into the muscles of the forehead can reduce the frequency of migraines in both men and women.

Restylane ®: Restylane ® is a safe cosmetic procedure that restores and enhances facial volume as well as smoothing wrinkles and creases. It is also used effectively for sculpting lips. Restylane ® is a gel of hyaluronic acid produced by bacteria. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane ® is called non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) because it is not derived from animal sources, thus eliminating any risk of animal based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Hyaluronic acid is a “water loving” substance that naturally exists in the human body. It attracts and binds water, helping to maintain fullness in the area of injection. Restylane ® gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle to add volume and smooth out wrinkles.

Restylane ®’s success is due to its ability to use the body’s own moisture, helping to provide lasting results of 6 months or longer. NASHA is said to be bio-compatible with human hyaluronic acid. When Restylane® is injected into wrinkled skin it gives fullness and minimizes the prominence of wrinkles in the area being treated.

Restylane ® seems to be most effective in making lips fuller,and in plumping out areas that have sagged due to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is also useful in redefining facial contours. The most common areas of application are between the eyebrows, from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth, and the lips (although not limited to these areas).

After treatment, patients experience slight tenderness, swelling and itching in the treated area. This is temporary and disappears within a few days. Restylane ® was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in December of 2003.

In addition there are variety of injectable products, such as Perlane ®,Juvederm ®, Artecoll ®, Dermalive, Dermadeep and others, all working to lift wrinkles and create fullness for varying lengths of time.

Finally, the latest in the field of cosmetic surgery, is the 45 minute face-lift! called the 'Lifestyle Lift' it is conducted under a local anasthetic, which allows the patient to return home after the procedure. The treatment lifts jowls, creases, frown lines and 'turkey neck'. In this patented procedure, a small incision is made in front of the ear and sutures are used to tighten the sagging muscles. It works particularly well for men and women over 40.

No shortage of options, is there? However, these procedures can be invasive, relatively expensive, and a departure from the natural methods we favour. The good news is that today's futuristic scientific knowledge has devised natural formulae to avoid such extreme treatments. The latest formulae are created with collagen and cell renewing ingredients that work as a natural face-lift, without the need for Botox and other painful surgical procedures. More on the low cost natural face lift here:

Note: We at YoungAgainForever are committed to natural and holistic systems of creating good health and well-being. For information on other factors that help to promote lifetime fitness, good health and wellness, checkout our other pages listed in the SITE MAP

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