To the joy of women, cosmetic medicine has developed a number of non-surgical procedures
that can successfully camouflage the effects of sun exposure and the passing years. Of course,
every procedure/treatment has its limitations, is not necessarily suitable for everyone, nor
does it have the same results on each person. Urvashi & Taraana Vaswani explore what
the latest procedures in the market are.
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than she actually is.” - Sophia Lauren
True as the iconic Hollywood actor’s words may be, ageing skin is not a woman’s best friend really. Luckily enough, modern advances in cosmetology and dermatological sciences are making it easier for women to defy the ageing process better, making it far easier to attain pulchritunidinal perfection without undergoing the surgeon’s scalpel.
Chiselled cheekbones, taut, plumped-up skin, luscious full lips, a finely carved jawline or lustrous locks, all these are now easily within reach. The best bit is that it has now become far easier to attain near perfection without enduring painful, highly expensive and possibly risky surgical procedures. These relatively safe, mildly painful (lunchtime procedures) as they are called, are fast becoming very popular amongst women who wish to bring back a bit of flash and dazzle into their appearance.
FACIAL CONTOURING
This is a non-surgical procedure carried out in the clinic using topical anaesthesia and is a combination of Botox and fillers or just Botox. The fillers can also be combined with Threads or lasers, depending on your own individual need.
What are the benefits: The contouring procedure as the name suggests, is used to sharpen and define your facial features,such as enhancing your cheekbones or jawline, which can be made narrower to create a slimmer appearance of the face by relaxing the Masseter muscle (the muscle used for chewing) or even fill out the sunken undereye area to restore a more youthful appearance. The other indications where fillers can be used are nose correction, chin enlargement, teardrop correction or to give a soft sensuous look to the lips. These procedures give visible results immediately and improve over time intervals of 10-21 days. Though many types of fillers are available, the safest is the Hyaluronic acid filler and the effect of these fillers can last for anywhere from one to one-and-a-half years. The cost of facial contouring depends on the kind of product used, as well as the quantity.
What is the cost: The cost of a hyaluronic filler can range anywhere from #22,000-#30,000 per syringe.
Prep it: Pre-treatment preparation for this procedure is that you would need to stop taking Aspirin, blood thinners and vitamins beforehand to decrease the risk of any possible bleeding during the procedure.
DERMA-RENEW SERVICES
If you suffer from an unhealthy scalp and lacklustre hair and extensive hair loss, then the regenerative SP Derma Renew is the panacea to your follicular ills. Explains Santosh Gahatraj, Hair Director at Affinity Salons, “This treatment can be considered as a deeply hydrating ‘scalp facial’, which removes excess sebum and exfoliates dead cells. It also improves blood circulation of the scalp, arrests hairfall and promotes new hair growth.”
What are the benefits: The process is fairly simple: a lens is placed on the scalp, whilst a tablet is placed in your hands and you are shown and explained the condition of your scalp, cell by cell and guided as to what remedies will work to tackle your individual scalp/hair concerns. After a thorough scalp/hair analysis, you get a relaxing hair cleansing session with a Nioxcin product suited to your specific needs. A dermabrasion cream is then applied on the scalp, followed by a luxuriant massage that sloughs off impurities and dead skin cells to promote fresh hair growth.
What is the cost: A total of four sessions is recommended at intervals of 10 days each and you could expect to pay approx #3,000 per sitting.
THREADLIFT
A threadlift is a delicate, non-surgical, cosmetic procedure to gently lift sagging facial skin to produce a smoother, more youthful appearance. This method is also known as featherlift surgery, and is a no-scar facelift performed using tiny threads to lift and support the droopy elements of the brow, cheeks, face and neck. The threads are made up of polydioxanone (PDO) which is
a dissolvable suture and has been used quite widely and safely in many medical and surgical procedures.
What are the benefits: A threadlift procedure can be used to help tighten and lift the skin and can help raise the outer brow area, reduce jowling around the jawline and reduce sagging in the cheeks, nasolabial (nose to mouth area) folds, the lower eye area and reduce a double chin or crinkling or wrinkling of the tummy skin post pregnancy or weight loss. These threads are placed in the Dermis (upper layer of the skin), using a syringe, which tightens and voluminises the areas of sagging or loose skin. This method works like suspension cables, which hold up and act as a supportive structure. This leads to the formation of new collagen along the thread, which further leads to tightening of the skin thus providing the desired lift to the patient’s skin.
Who can opt for it: Says Dermatologist Anju Methil, “The ideal candidates for this procedure are in the age group of 30 to 60, those who have a good skin tone. Also, do remember that you are a suitable candidate if you are on the lean side with minimal or no fat on the face, else the procedure will not work.” In some cases, there are chances of mild scarring after the procedure. However, if an experienced dermatologist carries it out, the side effects are minimal,even though you can definitely expect to feel a tightening or pulling sensation in the areas where the procedure has been carried out. You could also experience some degree of bruising, puffiness or swelling for a few days after the threads have been inserted,” Dr Methil cautions. Keep in mind that for a month thereafter, you cannot carry out any other treatments, such as facials, etc.
What is the cost: You can expect each thread to set you back by anywhere between #1,200 and #5,000 per thread, depending on the type of thread used, the number of threads, of course. You also need to factor in the expense of the dermat’s services.
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF)
One of the latest techniques employed by dermatologists for anti-ageing purposes, the technique used is radio frequency energy to stimulate fibro blasts in the deeper layers of the skin to make new collagen and strengthen existing ones,which leads to tightening of skin without surgical intervention.
What are the benefits: While it is a painless procedure on the whole, you may experience slight discomfort during the procedure.
Depending on your age, and the extent of tightening your skin requires, you could need between 6-10 sessions at intervals of three weeks, followed by maintenance anti-aging facials or other recommended procedures.
Who can go for it: People with loose, sagging skin (caused by either age,weight loss or post pregnancy) can opt for this skin-firming technique, What is the cost: Between #12,000 and #16,000 per session; a package of three sessions, however, works out to be more economical. RF with ULTRASOUND/DEEP RF These are advanced versions which combine two technologies and thus give better results. Observes Dr Rekha Sheth, “These technologies have gained prominence in the sphere of fat reduction from difficult areas of the face, such as a double chin and jowls. The process is painless, the only sensation you will feel is that of probes moving on the surface of the areas being targeted for treatment and there are no after-effects.”
MICRODERMA-ABRASION or DEEP SKIN POLISHING in combination with MESOTHERAPY/CHEMICAL PEELS
While microdermabrasion has been in practice since long, the combinations have, however, been proved to be more effective when performed under direct supervision of a senior experienced doctor, rather than a technician.This is extremely important because, when you are going in for a peel, you have to be very careful with how deep into the layers of the skin you are going with the polishing process, else it can cause too much irritation whilst the peel is being used, informs Dr Sheth. What are the benefits: The polishing itself is like an intensive scrub, and is performed by a machine using aluminium crystals. These procedures cater largely to the superficial layers of the skin and are most effective for individuals with dark patches, open pores and rough dull skin. MDA alone takes care of the superficial layers but, when combined with Mesotherapy/Chemical Peels, it also eliminates deeper pigmentation (darkening/discoloration) and imparts rejuvenated skin. You can particularly consider these before a wedding or other important occasions such as celebrations and parties. After these procedures, you ideally need to avoid very bright sunlight and have to use a sunscreen.
What is the cost: You would usually require 8-10 sittings for best results, at 1-2 week intervals, followed by a maintenance visit once a month depending on your skin needs. The price could vary from #3,000-#7,000 per sitting but opting for a package is definitely more cost-effective.
