About Wrinkles

If you’ve ever wondered whether your beauty-counter face cream really can help fight the signs of ageing, it may be time to take a more medical approach to looking after your skin.

“Products used at Femme Fatale beauty & skincare or ‘cosmeceuticals’ are different from mass-brand products available at beauty counters or pharmacies,” explains proprietor Cherie Underwood.

“Cosmeceuticals are skin care cosmetics that manufacturers suggest have a ‘pharmaceutical’ effect.”

“Unlike regular cosmetics, cosmeceuticals usually contain higher levels of active ingredients, which may benefit people with skin concerns such as signs of ageing, or those whose skins are not responsive to products with lower concentrations.

What are the main causes of wrinkle formation?

1.) Cellular metabolism slows down, which causes skin to become thinner and lines to start appearing.

2.) The production of collagen decreases, and so the skin loses its support system which, in turn, causes wrinkles to get deeper.

3.) A degradation of elastin occurs, causing the skin to become less supple, and wrinkles to get wider.

General approaches to skin concerns

“People with acne or large pores are often prescribed salicylic acid, often in combination with vitamin A,” Dr Heber co-founder of Ultraceuticals said.

Both salicylic acid and vitamin A dissolve bonds between dead skin cells and clear the pores. AHAs are also helpful with acne as they have a similar effect of dissolving bonds between surface skin cells.

“For people with signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines and loss of elasticity, the most helpful ingredients include vitamins A and C and the AHAs,” said Dr Heber.

People with pigmentation problems may be prescribed prescription-strength vitamins. Non-prescription products for pigmentation include retinol and ingredients such as liquorice extract and bearberry extract. AHAs and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are also used to refine the skin as they increase cell turnover.

What are the different types of wrinkle treatments?

If you are worried about the wrinkles you have, some immediate anti-wrinkle treatment strategies are to check your skin care products to make sure you are using only neutral pH-balanced soaps, body washes, moisturisers etc. Also make sure you avoid harsh irritants such as perfumed soaps, chlorinated swimming pools and hot showers, and moisturise regularly.

In addition to creams and other topical products, more and more people, men included, are turning to Australian Cosmetic Clinics for facial rejuvenation procedures help their face reflect the way they feel inside. These procedures include the administration of injectible muscle relaxants and injectible dermal fillers.

Injectibles

There are two major types of cosmetic injection used for wrinkle treatment to improve cosmetic appearance – injectible muscle relaxants and injectible dermal fillers. These can be used together or in isolation in the treatment of facial wrinkles. The best treatment for you will depend on the area being treated and the severity of the wrinkle, both of which vary from individual to individual.

Injectibles muscle relaxants – Botox

Injectable muscle relaxants are used to treat dynamic wrinkles and work by relaxing the wrinkle-causing muscles that cause people to frown or squint, creating an improved appearance. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus, the cosmetic injections gradually smooth wrinkles and prevent wrinkles from forming again. After facial injection it takes 2 to 3 days for the treatment to begin taking effect and around 7 days to see the full effect. Treatment effects can last up to 4 months and the more you have them treated the longer the treatment will last.

Injectible dermal fillers – Restylane, Perlane and LIPP Perlane

Injectable dermal fillers are used to treat static wrinkles. Injectible dermal fillers are placed beneath the wrinkle and/or fold to ‘fill in’ or ‘plump up’ the depression. The areas most commonly treated with dermal fillers include Nasolabial Folds, Marionette Lines and Vertical Lip Lines. In addition to the treatment of wrinkles injectable dermal fillers can also be used to create volume and definition of the lips. Dermal fillers are administered through a few injections by a trained medical professional. Your medical professional may decide to administer a topical (cream) or local anaesthetic to help numb the area being treated. Treatments usually last for at least 6 – 9 months and normal activities can generally be resumed immediately following facial injections.

Usually the side effects of these wrinkle treatments are temporary and localised to the area of injection. The different types of cosmetic injection have different side effects, however in general possible side effects include swelling, pain, burning, bruising or redness at the injection site. Both types of cosmetic injection are performed by Dr George Kassar. Contact us to discuss your individual case and the anti-ageing skin care appropriate for you. Dr Kassar will help you to make decisions based on your age, skin condition, expectation and overall health.