Let’s face it. Looking young is literally a race against time. But if you can’t beat your age, you can cheat with technology to stay younger looking longer. We list five of the more promising anti-ageing ideas.
Micro thread lifting
A decade back, thread lifting was panned for being unreliable and barbaric — it used barbed sutures and was susceptible to infections. But the procedure is back in vogue and now uses high-tech absorbable threads made of biodegradable polymers. These are inserted into the skin to cause a controlled injury and stimulate collagen production, resulting in an almost instant facelift.
The threads dissolvewithin a few months and the effects can last up to 18 months. The procedure is relatively painless, does not involve a knife or surgery, and can be done within an hour. In fact, micro thread lifting is often called the lunchtime lift, so imagine the reactions when you return from lunch looking noticeably younger — albeit still hungry.
Find it at Kaya Skin Clinic, Dr Kayle Aesthetic Clinic
Laser skin resurfacing
If it involves lasers, it must be cool, right? Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing is considered an aggressive — even ultimate — option to get maximum results from just one session, which lasts about an hour. CO2 lasers have the longest wavelength among all laser types, making them perfect for treating blotches, wrinkles, scars, dark patches and sun damage. The procedure removes layers of skin tissue and stimulates collagen growth. However, it takes 7-14 days to fully recover and your skin might turn red, flake or peel — so it would be a bad time for taking selfies. Moreover, it takes a few months for the full impact of this treatment to become visible, and the results last from three to five years.
Find it at Montreal International Clinic, Laser Skin Care
Ultrasound facelifts
Sound — or rather, ultrasound — is also being pressed into service to combat the signs of ageing. One option here is Ultherapy, which is billed as ideal for patients not ready for surgery, or those looking at extending the effects of one. It is not seen as a replacement for surgery. Unlike lasers that go after the surface, Ultherapy uses sound energy to get under your skin and jump-start a natural process, known as neocollagenesis, to produce fresh, new collagen, according to its website. The approach uses a handheld device to target specific areas of the skin to be toned and tightened. It takes 60-90 minutes and involves no post-treatment care. Results are only fully visible after two to three months and the procedure is recommended every two years.
Find it at EuroMed Clinic Centre, New Lifestyle Aesthetics & Laser Clinic
Radio Frequency treatment
Another inside-out way to wake up the body’s natural anti-ageing system is to make it listen to the radio. Well, sort of. Popular treatments that rely on localised radio frequency (RF) energy include ThermiTight, Thermage, ThermiRF, FaceTite and the hot new kid on the block, Profound, which uses a combination of temperature-controlled RF waves and microneedling to deliver energy straight to the deep dermis, stimulating neoelastogenesis, neocollagenesis
and hyaluronic acid deposition. The treatment claims a 100 per cent response rate for wrinkles and 85 per cent for skin laxity. Recovery can take up to a week, with maximum benefits seen up to three months after the treatment. These can last up to four years.
Find it at Eternal Clinic, Confident Dental and Skin Care Clinic
Facial fillers
Do an image search for “facial filler horror stories” and what you see may haunt you in your dreams. However, technology has come to the rescue and silicone-based permanent injections have given way to hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers that promise to be safer and less likely to trigger skin rashes or granulomas. Treatment takes 30-60 minutes and the impact is immediate — though it may take couple of days for your refreshed look to fully set in. Over that period, you may experience localised redness, swelling and bruises. Also, depending on the formulation used, the effect can last anywhere from 4 to 12 months. Popular brands include Restylane, Juvéderm and Radiesse, which is calcium-based.
Find it at Dubai Cosmetic Surgery, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, Elite Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Group
