It’s not possible to turn back the clock, but thanks to modern cosmetic dermatology, it is possible to look younger than your chronological age. There are more options available than ever before, and the good news is that they’re safe, accessible, and extremely effective.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to some of the most effective procedures and products to help you attain (or maintain) a youthful appearance with smooth, contoured, fresh-looking skin.
Injectables
Injectables are popular because they’re quick, minimally invasive, don’t require down time, and they really work! Different injectables do different things to promote a youthful appearance.
Botox is injected into muscle tissue and blocks signals to make the muscle contract, thereby forcing the muscle to relax. This is why you hear people say that Botox “freezes” muscles – they aren’t able to contract like normal for the duration of effectiveness, which is typically 3-4 months. Other “toxins” that work in a similar fashion to Botox include Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau.
Fillers make the skin look younger by smoothing wrinkles and plumping up areas that tend to hollow out with age. Popular injectables like Juvéderm and Restylane are made of hyaluronic acid – a sugar molecule naturally found in the skin – of different molecule sizes for different purposes. Fillers with a smaller size are better for addressing fine lines and fixing hollow eyes, while fillers with larger sized molecules are better for creating fuller lips, smoothing deeper wrinkles, and filling out the chin and cheeks.
Kybella is an injectable that “melts” fat with the use of deoxycholic acid, its active ingredient. It’s specifically made to address fat under the chin, which can be very aging. Since it actually gets rid of the fat in the area, Kybella is extremely effective and the results are very long-lasting. Other options that we offer include liposuction and CoolSculpting.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels have been a popular procedure for decades now, and for good reason. During the procedure, chemicals are applied to the skin in order to remove the topmost layer. Over 3-5 days following the procedure, the skin peels off the face, revealing newer, smoother – and most importantly, younger-looking – skin underneath.
Peels give an overall “fresher” appearance to the skin and are also effective at addressing age spots, melasma, and shallow wrinkles. The strength of the acid will determine the results as well as the downtime, which can range from days to weeks. However, the results typically last for a few months.
Liposuction and Fat Transfer
With this procedure, fat is removed from one part of the body, such as the abdomen or thigh, and reinjected into another part that has lost volume, such as the cheeks. Though the procedure is more invasive than simply opting for some injectable fillers in those areas, the results can last significantly longer.
IPL
Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, addresses abnormalities in the top and bottom layers of the skin, using a device that emits different wavelengths of pulsed light. The intensity of the light actually breaks down tissue so the body can remove it, leading to clear skin with more even tone. IPL is great for addressing broken capillaries and hyperpigmentation, both of which are aging.
Lasers
Lasers can be used to address wrinkles, broken capillaries and hyperpigmentation on the face, varicose veins on the legs and other parts of the body, and age spots on the hands, which can give away a person’s age. The type of laser procedure depends on the part of the body and the desired outcome.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
While the name of this procedure (which comes from the Greek word for eyelid, “blepharon”) is unappealing, the results are not. For people suffering from droopy eyelids and puffy undereye, it’s an excellent way to look many years younger in a short amount of time.
During the procedure, which we perform with injectable local anesthesia which minimizes the risk and shortens the recovery, the doctor removes excess skin and tissue and contours the area for a younger-looking eye. Recovery is typically 7-10 days after surgery, while the results last, on average, 5-7 years.
Products for At-Home Use
What about attacking aging during your at-home skincare regimen? Fortunately, there are many products on the market now that are effective at helping keep skin moist, supple, and smooth. In addition to a SPF product for the day to counteract the harmful, aging effects of the sun, here are some ingredients to look out for.
Resveratrol is the magic ingredient in wine that makes it healthy in small doses. It’s a polyphenol, which acts kind of like an antioxidant, protecting the skin from aging compounds and calming it down.
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant that superpowers other antioxidants, so it’s often found in combination with other ingredients such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
Pro-Xylane is a sugar protein developed in 2006 that stimulates the production of particular molecules in the skin that help retain moisture.
You can find products with these age-defying ingredients in our online store, along with several other effective skincare products.
Outrunning Aging
It is possible to undo some of the effects of aging and it’s easier than ever before to achieve the results you want. Keep in mind that some of the procedures above may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired result, and that the results you get are dependent on the skill of the person performing them. That’s why we stress the importance of going to a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for any procedure you choose. Learn more about our philosophy at PotozkinMD SkinCare, as well as everything we offer, on our website.