Give Skin a Second Chance at Ageless Beauty

With Non-Invasive Rejuvenating Treatments

At some point in life’s journey, our face and body no longer can so easily outwit the "Gravity Dragon" using those time-honored weapons of a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, exfoliation, hydration and topical skincare treatments.

But just as every hero in a mythic journey calls on miraculous helpers to assist in defying ferocious beasts, so in the tale of aging skin we now can call on magical skincare assistance to outsmart danger and capture the treasure of ageless beauty.

Many new as well as tried-and-true non-invasive skin rejuvenating treatments on the market cater to true seekers. Natural Awakenings’ editorial staff has discovered some exciting alternatives that we can’t wait to try. Locally we spoke with some leading practitioners, begging them to fill us in on the latest proven products. Here’s what they say.

Feisty Tools

For gaining the advantage over wrinkles, lines and sagging skin, the magic wand of the SkinMaster Skin Rejuvenation system has shown itself a masterful, less expensive alternative than most. This machine’s particle-free non-invasive technology’s targeted mechanical and electrical energy provides a painless, effective solution for fine lines, premature aging, bodylines, blemishes, discoloration and sun damage. In the hands of a wise and experienced esthetician, SkinMaster’s ultrasonic waves, Lotti micro-current, and micro-diode laser deliver visible results. A series of 12 treatments yields a beautiful prize.

Thank goodness that reversing aging skin is possible at any age. That’s why thousands of women are opting for Titan treatments in their fight for healthier, younger-looking skin. It’s good as both a preventative and age-reversing measure. Titan’s safe infrared light works by delivering heat two millimeters below the skin’s surface, thus modifying the dermis. Immediate collagen contraction tightens lax, sagging and wrinkled skin.

OmniLux LED (Light Emitting Diode) may combine with Titan to augment benefits. Its photo light therapy activates biological responses that convert light energy into cellular building blocks. Combining these two types of treatments ups bio-stimulation of cellular responses for a pro-collagen boost that manifests in tighter skin. Immediately following treatment a client may experience some pinkness and mild swelling in treated areas, but these dissipate within hours. Treatments can be applied to the face, neck, abdomen, thighs, back of arms, chest and knees. Because collagen remodeling continues over a year, a continual program of treatments is proposed. Effects accumulate.

Experts always recommend that we adopt a proactive attitude in caring for our skin, the largest organ in the body. Of course, the earlier we launch our quest, the better. Once lines, folds or wrinkles appear, they’re challenging to remove with non-invasive measures.

One effective proactive treatment, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) offers a non-surgical approach that eliminates dilated blood vessels, blotchy pigmentation, fine wrinkles and other evidence of sub-damage on its way to rejuvenating skin. It’s particularly effective with acne and Rosacea. This form of LED light therapy interacts with cells and stimulates them to produce new collagen and elastin. All of it helps firm, plump and tighten.
 How about a LIPO Dissolve cocktail to make fat cells disappear? LIPO Dissolve offers a popular PCDC fat-cell dissolving concoction mixing deoxycholate (DC), a naturally occurring bile salt, and phosphatidyl choline (PC). Used in a series of micro-fine injections, these generally are administered by a physician or physician’s assistant due to state regulations.

PCDC treatments cause the breakdown of fat cells dissolved and excreted through the body’s waste system. The procedure causes inflammation and discomfort for about a week. Facial injections are popular, given only under the eyes to eliminate fat pads, under the chin or at the jowls. But it also can be applied to areas such as the stomach, hips, thighs and arms. Experts caution that this approach is not a quick fix, nor an answer to weight loss, nor the equivalent of a surgical facelift. They note that clients must have a healthy lifestyle and watch their caloric intake because some fat cells must remain in the body. If the Body Mass Indicator (BMI) is more than 34, they’ll encourage clients to lose 10 pounds before beginning treatment.

Another treatment with a reputation for restoring a more youthful appearance and slimming the body, mesotherapy has been receiving significant attention in the skin story stakes. Depending upon a client’s desired outcome—reduced facial lines and wrinkles or reduced body fat—injections will deliver one of several homeopathic mixtures to dermal layers four to six millimeters beneath the skin’s surface.

A relatively new anti-aging system, Aluma Skin Renewal is known for skin tightening. This system safely and comfortably delivers energy to underlying layers of skin by gently stimulating production of new collagen. Newly formed collagen plumps and smoothes skin for a more youthful appearance. Aluma targets wrinkles, fine lines and skin laxity.

Gentle Waves and OmniLux LED Photo-modulation treatments turn to natural, variable wavelengths of light to gently stimulate or inhibit cellular activity, thus reducing signs of aging. Gentle Waves’ emitted yellow light is coded to promote healthy skin cell changes. OmniLux LED is a similar approach with red and infrared light. Both treatments, administered alone or in concert with other procedures, will interact with cells, causing them to produce collagen and elastin.

Turning back the clock and gently reversing the aging process can be evidenced mildly to moderately almost immediately with fashionable Thermage. Available in the United States longer than any other tightening device, it’s even been featured on Oprah. Although good for a quick millimeter’s raising of the eyebrows or a sagging jowl line, extreme results should not be anticipated.

Skin responds to Thermage’s deep penetrating mono-polar radio frequencies with increased collagen regeneration and mild to moderate tightening. Once an uncomfortable procedure, a new lower energy setting now allows for passing of the wand over facial tissue multiple times during each two-hour treatment. Those considering the recommended series of six treatments must decide on which area to focus—face/neck, stomach or legs. Body Thermage clients wear compression garments when appropriate to aid the skin retraction process as long as one to two weeks after each treatment.

For sun damaged skin, Fraxel, the latest laser-deep resurfacing procedure, has charming restorative powers. It gently removes aged skin one layer at a time. Fraxel carries away dead surface skin, fostering new growth and improving overall tone and texture as well as blotting out brown spots and acne scarring. Four treatments are spaced two weeks apart. Mild to moderate swelling and redness is expected for two to three days following treatment.

Propitious Beginnings

Prevention and non-invasive face and body treatments are the wave of the future already here today. By the time that face in the mirror reflects back any deep lines, sagging jowls or pillowed puffs, it’s too late for non-invasive procedures, leaving only the surgical solution.
 Most estheticians and dermatologists agree that 80 percent of aging is caused by the sun, so the number one weapon in anyone’s arsenal is sun protection. Top-notch sunscreens typically contain a combination of zinc, titanium, parasol 1789 and mexoryl for protection against cancer-causing ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays. It’s wise to note that SPF sun protection is a measure of UVB rays only.

Since the skin is a living organ and there is constant turnover in cells, it’s never too late to give it a little rejuvenating assistance. In calling upon any one of these magical skincare helpers we might just be able to keep the treasure that we already own.

Source:
by Linda Sechrist