Today, even without expensive operations, the freshness and smoothness of the skin can be restored, and the facial contour can be smoothed out.There are many modern lifting procedures that do not require major surgery.How to choose the ideal lifting and how do the procedures differ?
Sooner or later, every woman faces such problems: the skin of the face loses its elasticity, becomes dull, and wrinkles appear on it.Modern cosmetology knows many ways to get rid of these unpleasant processes, and surgical intervention is not necessary at all.
Stages of age-related skin changes
Biologists have not yet reached a consensus on what constitutes aging and what causes it.However, we can say that aging is the result of accumulated errors in cells and intercellular structures, which gradually disable the body's vital systems.
Childhood
Perhaps the only time when the skin requires virtually no care is from about six months of age until the onset of puberty.Children's skin is flexible, smooth, full of life and fresh, a joy to look at.
Adolescence
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end sooner or later, and starting from the age of 12-14, the appearance of the skin starts to deteriorate.First, it becomes oilier, and some people produce so much oil that it literally runs off the skin.Then the structure of the skin changes, it becomes rougher and more porous.
In people with dry and thin skin, these changes are less noticeable than in people with oily skin.However, the skin does not remain the same as in childhood.
And, of course, the saddest skin change that poisons the lives of a significant number of teenagers is acne, which appears during puberty and occupies the skin for many years (sometimes decades), despite the fact that they try to get rid of it.For many teenagers, the fight against acne becomes the main goal of cosmetic procedures, and sometimes the meaning of life.Unfortunately, in the process of this struggle, many people cause serious damage to their skin, which can be very difficult to compensate for in the future.
A very small percentage of teenagers understand the need to protect their skin.Most of them usually mercilessly irradiate the skin with sunlight (and sometimes with artificially produced ultraviolet radiation in tanning beds), cover it with layers of cosmetics (which are often left on overnight), tattoo, night vigils, and exhaust it with all kinds of toxic substances.Despite all this, the skin remains fresh and supple for a while.
Youth
By the age of 20, the condition of many people's skin improves - it becomes less oily, less prone to acne, more even and attractive.
The period between 20 and 30 years is a period of skin stability, when most people do not think about the complexities of cosmetic care, choosing cosmetics based on packaging, fragrance or company name, and still have good skin.
But all this is only true if the skin is healthy.Unfortunately, teenage stress, attempts to self-medicate acne by haphazardly applying “anti-acne” items, overuse of antibiotics or retinoids, and sometimes unimaginable diets can trigger a variety of skin problems, from advanced forms of acne to allergic dermatitis, and more.In such cases, the skin requires a carefully considered, competent specialist.
The beginning of skin aging
From the age of 25, the skin gradually loses the fresh charm of youth.The regeneration of the cells of the stratum corneum slows down, the skin becomes duller.The rate of collagen and elastin formation decreases and the skin no longer looks as elastic.Fine wrinkles appear under the eyes, skin defects accumulate, such as age spots, stretch marks, previous acne scars, etc.
The closer it is to 30, the more often women start thinking about skin care, trying to slow down its aging or hide its signs.And although doctors keep repeating that the skin needs to be protected and cared for from an early age, in reality, it is only after 30 years that the skin can expect that its needs will finally be taken care of.
Middle aged
Between the ages of 35 and 50, skin aging becomes more and more noticeable.In this case, the ability to retain moisture decreases, cell renewal slows down, defective collagen and elastin accumulate, the amount of hyaluronic acid decreases, the fat layer on the face thins, fat is redistributed (there is less and less fat on the cheekbones, and fat pads often form under the chin and in the lower part of the blood vessels, age wrinkles, cheeks, dilated blood vessels).
It must be said that the wrinkles that upset women so much do not only look different, but also have other reasons.They are often divided into static and dynamic wrinkles.
Static wrinkles are formed due to changes in the skin (damage of skin fibers by various harmful factors, age-related wear and tear and destruction of skin structures, etc.).
Dynamic wrinkles develop in places of constant muscle activity as a result of the fact that when contracting, the muscle shortens and wrinkles the skin, and when it relaxes, it returns to its original position and "pulls it back" with itself.
In young women, the skin is flexible, quickly reacts to such muscle movements and returns to its original state.With age, such exercises become more difficult for him, and around the eyes, bridge of the nose, forehead and around the mouth - where the facial muscles work most actively.
Age-related skin changes after 50 years
After the age of 50, the skin is affected by menopause, when the amount of the female sex hormone estrogen in the body decreases.In this case, more wrinkles appear, the thickness of the dermis and epithelium decreases rapidly, and the skin noticeably fades.The rapid aging process lasts until the age of about 60, after which the skin enters a period of relative stability.At this stage, little depends on cosmetics, and any changes are possible only with the help of plastic surgery.People who have spent a lifetime protecting their skin from harmful effects (especially from the sun) show fewer wrinkles, fewer spots, and look fresher and younger.
If the skin has been exposed to intense sunlight (this is more important in warm countries), it is most likely to develop coarse, deep wrinkles and be covered with age spots.
In old age (over 70 years), the skin is characterized by a thickened (parchment) stratum corneum, thin skin (through which the subcutaneous fatty tissue is visible, giving the skin a yellowish color), low elasticity, many deep wrinkles and folds.
The path just outlined is followed by the skin of all people, and there are no products in cosmetology that prevent skin changes occurring at certain stages.
The skin of a teenager will never return to the fresh smoothness of a child's skin, and the skin of a lady of Balzac's age will never look like that of a 20-year-old girl.
The senile changes of the skin arise from the fact that this program is embedded in the cells, since the skin, like the whole body, accumulates injuries and diseases throughout its life, that is, wears out.Genetically determined aging is practically impossible to influence, but it can slow down skin wear and prevent premature aging.To do this, you need to know which skin changes are inevitable and which are due to our careless attitude or the impact of harmful environmental factors.
What happens to the skin as it ages?
As we can see, almost every structure of the skin (and the body as a whole) deteriorates over the years and ceases to fulfill its biological functions.For convenience, we can define certain aging targets, which are also the main targets of anti-aging procedures.
Professional cosmetics, aesthetic and medical cosmetic procedures - we found out what facial skin rejuvenation procedures are offered by the salons of our city.
Facial massage + botulinum toxin injections
Facial massage ─ manual or hardware ─ is one of those procedures that can be used to prevent age-related changes even at a very young age.It also has a good effect during the correction of age-related changes that are already developing (pronounced nasolabial folds, "pride wrinkles" and longitudinal wrinkles on the forehead, "crow's feet" around the eyes, loss of facial contour, double chin).Massage allows you to work on and tone relaxed muscles or, on the contrary, to relax tense muscles.Thanks to this, we achieve the effect of reducing the severity of wrinkles and improving the oval of the face.The massage takes place in one course (on average 10 procedures, two a week), after which you can correct facial wrinkles with botulinum toxin injections.In this case, you can get by with a smaller amount of medicine and get a more pronounced result.
Facial skin lifting + filler or autofat injections
With the help of plastic surgery, you can achieve a lifting effect, but unfortunately, you cannot completely get rid of wrinkles.After plastic surgery, for example, wrinkles around the mouth and "puppet lines" (the so-called "sorrow lines") remain.In order to make them less noticeable, filler injections are applied to the nasolabial folds, lips and cheekbones.An alternative to filler injections is the lipofilling procedure, when your own fat cells are used to fill up the volume.With a syringe, they are taken from certain areas of the body (abdomen, inner thighs, knees) and injected in small amounts into the desired area.This must be done very carefully, because the main task is for the fat cells to adapt to the right place and take root.The advantage of lipofilling over filler injections is obvious: the fillers must be renewed annually, while the fat cells remain in the injected area for years.Also in the case of lipofilling, a possible allergic reaction that may occur in connection with the injected fillers is excluded.
Blepharoplasty + laser procedures
This combination will be more suitable for lower eyelid surgery, where the muscles are "welded" to the skin and it is impossible to remove all the excess.That is why laser treatment of this area is recommended three weeks after surgery.The laser has a stimulating effect on the skin, reducing it and activating the synthesis of new collagen and elastin - after which the skin thickens and becomes more elastic.One session may be enough for a pronounced effect.
This technique is often used in cases where it is necessary to get rid of hernia sacs (by the way, this problem can also bother quite young people).The removal of such hernias is carried out transconjunctivally (through a small incision on the side of the mucous membrane of the lower eyelid), and after removing the fat bags, the excess skin remains, which needs to be tightened - this requires a laser.
What is a lift and which procedure is better to choose?
Perhaps almost every woman sooner or later starts thinking about lifting.Over time, the skin loses its former elasticity and the first wrinkles appear.This is an inevitable process - after 30 years, the amount of collagen and elastin gradually begins to decrease, and without this framework, the skin becomes flabby and inelastic.
All procedures can be divided into surgical and non-surgical interventions.A surgeon's intervention is required in the operating room.Non-surgical methods include various hardware lifts, as well as the injection of cosmetic products that improve skin tone and saturate with moisture.
Circular elevator
A circular facelift typically refers to surgery that corrects the front and sides of the neck, the middle and frontotemporal areas, the outer eyebrows, the face, and the areas around the corners of the mouth.The operation is performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours.After the operation, you will have to spend several days in the hospital, after a week the stitches will be removed, and the swelling will disappear completely in about 2 months.You can speed up rehabilitation with the help of massage and physiotherapy.You can fully appreciate the result after 6-8 months after facelift.Circular lifting is the most serious and traumatic lifting operation.However, the effect is very long-lasting - surgeons recommend performing such operations no more than every 7-10 years.A circular lift should not be performed before the age of 40-50.Based on the depth of the impact, two types of circular lifting can be distinguished: SMAS lifting, which affects not only the skin, but also fat and muscle tissue, and the more superficial subcutaneous lifting.The first copes with even the most significant age-related changes, while the second is suitable for less noticeable problems.
This is important
The procedure has many contraindications, including blood diseases, oncology, serious internal organ diseases, heart diseases, high blood pressure, nervous system diseases, epilepsy, pregnancy, breastfeeding and many others.Therefore, it is very important to consult your doctor before surgery.
Endoscopic lifting
This procedure is sometimes called a seamless lift.All manipulations are carried out through small incisions, after which practically no scars remain.Endoscopic lifting is recommended for minor, age-related changes - the appearance of mimic wrinkles on the forehead and nasolabial folds, as well as drooping eyebrows.But if the skin deteriorates significantly, it is better to choose a traditional circular lift.In terms of its effectiveness and recovery time, the endoscopic lifting is very similar to the traditional circular lifting.Contraindications are similar: cardiovascular diseases, oncology, diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, diseases of internal organs, thyroid gland, wounds and burns on the surface of the face, pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc.In addition, there may be pulling sensations in the suture area after the operation.
By the way
Facelift reduces the blood supply to the skin, which affects its elasticity.Therefore, additional procedures are always required after surgery for rapid rehabilitation.
Thread lift
It is a relatively simple, minimally invasive and very effective procedure.That's why it gained so much popularity.The essence of the method is that thin threads are planted under the skin, which strengthen the skin.These threads are made of gold, caprolactone, polypropylene, lactic acid, are biologically compatible with the human body, and do not cause allergies or other unwanted effects.The thread is inserted with a flexible needle.Over time, connective tissue forms around the thread, which supports the skin and prevents it from sagging.
Today, both non-absorbable and absorbable sutures are used.The latter disintegrate after 8-9 months and are naturally excreted from the body.Threads are used not only for face lifting, but also for body contouring.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia and takes about an hour.After 2-4 days, the swelling will go away, and after 2 weeks you can return to your normal lifestyle.
This type of lifting has significantly fewer contraindications than the previous two types.These include pregnancy and breastfeeding, acute infections, skin diseases, allergies, oncological and autoimmune diseases.
Hardware upgrade
Hardware tightening is performed with equipment that uses different types of energy (laser, radio wave, ultrasound) to influence the skin.Hardware lifting is available not only in plastic surgery clinics, but also in medical cosmetology clinics.Such methods do not require general anesthesia or a long rehabilitation period and are incomparably cheaper than surgical methods to restore youth.However, one should not forget about contraindications, which include epilepsy, oncology, heart disease, pregnancy and many other serious diseases.
Laser lifting
When the laser is applied to the skin, heat energy is generated, which promotes the natural renewal process.After laser lifting, the skin becomes denser and more elastic, the production of collagen and other elements that promote the natural renewal process increases.Wrinkles are smoothed out, blood circulation is accelerated, and the face is not only smooth, but also acquires a healthy color.
Laser lifting is done quickly and without anesthesia, although very sensitive people may experience minor discomfort during the procedure.Significant and long rehabilitation is not necessary - slight skin redness disappears very quickly by itself, and the effect of laser lifting is immediately visible.
Ultrasonic lifting
Ultrasonic lifting is the only hardware technology that allows the deeper layers of the skin to be affected.This type of lift is often called a non-surgical SMAS lift.The procedure is moderately painful and lasts 30-60 minutes.After the procedure, slight redness or swelling may persist for another 2-3 hours.
During this type of lifting, the ultrasound wave specifically affects the deep layers of the skin and the muscle-aponeurotic layer, activating the formation of new elastin and collagen fibers.The synthesis of new collagen fibers takes 3-4 months, so the skin becomes fresher and younger every day.The effect can last up to 3 years.
The safety of the procedure is ensured by ultrasound visualization of the skin and muscles;The doctor sees the tissue changes caused by the ultrasound wave in real time.
Radio wave lift (RF lift)
RF lifting affects the surface layers of the skin and the fat layer under the skin with the help of high-frequency electric current.Some devices combine RF with the effect of a magnetic field.The pulses heat the skin cells, activate them and stimulate collagenogenesis.Like ultrasound lifting, RF lifting has a long-lasting effect that grows over several months and lasts up to 1.5-2 years.The treatment takes only 20-30 minutes and does not require pain relief.The procedure is performed without age restrictions.
The method is contraindicated for people with a heart sensor and metal structures (pins, plates, etc.).
Photolifting
The procedure promotes skin rejuvenation with the help of light-thermal pulses acting on the deep layers.It is performed with IPL therapy devices.The light energy is absorbed by various skin chromophores (hemoglobin, melanin pigment) and converted into heat, as a result of which the renewal process of skin cells is stimulated, pigment spots lighten, and the vascular network disappears.This type of lifting is often used not only to smooth out wrinkles, but also to eliminate spider veins and even out the complexion.The duration of one session is approximately 30 minutes.The course consists of 1-3 procedures.
Plasmolifting
Our blood contains platelets - cells that are responsible for blood clotting.But in addition, platelets secrete special substances that accelerate cell division.The introduction of platelet-rich plasma stimulates the synthesis of new cells and initiates regeneration processes.For this procedure, 8-40 ml of blood is taken from patients.With the help of a special centrifugation method, platelet-rich plasma is isolated from the blood.The concentration of platelets in the plasma of cosmetic injections is 4-5 times higher than in human blood.Thanks to such a high content, a noticeable and very fast effect is achieved.The course consists of a 3-5 week procedure.The first results are already visible on the day of the procedure.
Like other liftings, plasmolifting has many contraindications: pregnancy and breastfeeding, skin diseases, tumors, infectious and autoimmune diseases, etc.
Lifting with hyaluronic acid injections (fillers)
A significant lifting effect can also be achieved with contour plastic surgery.For example, with volume correction, creating volume, for example in the cheekbones, there is a general lifting of the lower half of the face.Biostrengthening of the facial areas and neck, when the filler is injected intradermally and subcutaneously in the form of a mesh, the skin becomes more elastic and toned.Vector lifting - a filler is injected subcutaneously in the direction of sagging skin, thereby strengthening and tightening it.
Contraindications to the procedure are blood diseases, infectious diseases, pregnancy and breastfeeding, damage or inflammation in the treatment area, drug intolerance.