If you’re just starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles, creases, and saggy skin, you may not be happy with your appearance, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to go under the knife. And that’s okay, because at Med Physique Center for Aesthetics, our expert team of aestheticians offers a wide range of treatment options that will give you the results of a face-lift but without the surgery. Here are some of the many services we offer.
Wrinkles arise from two different causes, and they’re treated in two different ways.
Static wrinkles are those caused by a loss of the proteins collagen and elastin, as well as the loss of subcutaneous fat. Collagen and elastin are plentiful in your youth, which is why your skin is well-hydrated, taut, and resilient. Starting in your mid-20s, though, your body starts to decrease production, and the support network for your skin “deflates.” Add to that the normal loss of underlying fat in your face, and you get wrinkles, deep creases, and hollows that stay in place no matter what you do.
Dermal fillers were tried as early as the 1970s to address these age-related problems, but they were crude, often caused allergic reactions or uncomfortable swelling, and lasted only a short time.
It was only in the early 2000s that the FDA approved the use of synthetic fillers made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance found naturally in the skin, where it binds and holds moisture. These new injectable dermal fillers were safer than the bovine collagen that had been used, and the treatment lasts about 6-12 months. The first HA filler to hit the market was Restylane®, followed by Juvéderm®.
Restylane adds volume to your skin, specifically to the lips. It can also improve moderate-to-severe wrinkles and creases in other facial areas. In addition to binding moisture, it fills in the spaces between the remaining collagen and elastin protein fibers, evening skin tone.
Juvéderm consists of an entire line of products. Each individual formulation targets a different area of the face and hands, working in a fashion similar to Restylane.
We also use dermal fillers from Belotero Balance® and Radiesse®. Belotero is another HA filler, but Radiesse is made from calcium hydroxylapatite, a material normally found in bones and teeth. Its added value is triggering new collagen production at the injection site, so it restores volume from the inside out.
We mentioned dynamic wrinkles. Unlike static wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles come from a lifetime of making facial expressions. Each time you smile, squint, or frown, the muscles responsible for the expression tug on the skin above them. After a while, the skin loses its resilience, failing to bounce back. Neuromodulators like Botox® temporarily paralyze the muscles by interfering with the nerve signal that tells them to contract. Without contraction, your skin relaxes, and fine lines and wrinkles disappear. You still retain enough activity, though, that your face doesn’t look “frozen.” Results last for 3-4 months, after which you can repeat the treatment.
Facial treatments are another great resource in your anti-aging arsenal. They rejuvenate the skin on your face by tightening, smoothing, brightening, or making it more even-toned. They can also work as a preventive measure, delaying the early signs of aging. Among their many virtues, facials can:
Making facials a part of your regular skin care regimen helps you look younger and healthier, with no downtime.
A polydioxanone (PDO) thread lift works like a face-lift but is completely nonsurgical.
Using a needle, your provider inserts dissolvable threads under the skin, then pulls them taut to lift the cheeks, jowls, and neck bands. The threads also stimulate the formation of collagen, which improves the skin’s quality and texture over time, while also lifting and adding volume to lax areas. The sutures break down over 6-8 months; however, your results typically keep going for up to a year and a half.
Med Physique Center for Aesthetics also offers medical-grade skin care products from SkinCeuticals®. These are stronger and better suited for your specific skin type and issues than what you can find at a pharmacy.
If you’re not happy with the visible signs of aging, you don’t have to get a face-lift to correct the problem; Med Physique Center for Aesthetics has many nonsurgical treatment options to keep you looking and feeling great.
To schedule a consultation with one of our aestheticians, give us a call at 512-212-3142, or book online with us today.
