During our teens we couldn’t wait to wear make-up and look like a grown up. Now that we are older we are wearing make-up to try and look younger!
I think I have reached the age where I shouldn’t be seen in public without make-up as they may ask for a pensioner’s card at the check-out. Being considered as looking older than your age can be quite demoralising. And while ageing is inevitable, and determined by many factors, there are ways to slow down the ageing process, so that we may age as beautifully as we can.
Skin Ageing
After the age of 35 there is a gradual, more noticeable change in one’s skin; pigmentation and discolouration blemish that flawless look and you become aware of little wrinkles that just won’t go away, in spite of any ‘rejuvenating’ cream you may use.
As we age our skin produces less collagen and fibroblasts, the connections between these two starts deteriorating, so instead of a well sprung network it becomes more like a droopy net. The decreased collagen causes skin to sag, losing its natural elasticity and firmness and does not return back to its line-free state.
Collagen production is affected by true ageing as well as photo-ageing such as sun exposure, nutrition (diet), skin damage and pollutants. Loose body skin can also be caused by having children or sudden weight loss.
Photo ageing is caused by ultraviolet light exposure which tends to affect the skin surface causing freckles, irregular pigmentation and discolouration.
People with a naturally thick and oily skin tend to have larger pores and the combination of ageing, sun damage and less elasticity tends to intensify this. If this type of skin is not well cared for and the pores become clogged with dirt and bacteria, it can cause the pore’s diameter to expand.
Vampire Stem Cell Lift with Dermapen™
The Dermapen™ skin needling device is an electrical pen with tiny, superfine needles on the end of it which are moved with great precision over the skin. As this mechanism is moved, the micro needles leave tiny holes which the skin interprets as trauma injuries and as a result stimulates new collagen production. The depth of needle penetration can be adjusted and the doctor who performs this procedure will determine the depth needed to help improve wrinkles, smoker’s lines, skin tightening, large pores and scarring. The depth can be adjusted during the treatment to get the best effects on different treatment areas. A new sterile needle head is used for each individual treatment, and is disposed of after the treatment.
The ‘micro injuries’ caused by the needling draws blood from the treated skin, which is then worked back into the skin together with a combination of various serums (depending on the patient’s specific concern). For the Vampire Stem Cell facial the doctor uses a combination of hyaluronic acid, brightening compounds, growth factors, peptides, anti-oxidants, nucleic acids, vitamins and minerals to stimulate the skin to repair itself and produce new collagen, which will increase elasticity and result in a firmer and smoother complexion. Although the skin heals within a few days, the best results after a single treatment can be seen up to three months later as new collagen is continuously being produced. Depending on the age of the patient and the desired final results a patient may need up to four Vampire Stem Cell treatments.
Dermapen™ treatments are very effective on skin that still has the ability to rejuvenate and will improve the appearance significantly. Ingrained wrinkles and scars are more difficult to treat, but at Skin Renewal there are many other procedures available for more severely aged skin, which responds beautifully to a combination treatment package.
This treatment is most commonly used for the facial area, neck, tummy and the back of the hands and arms.
The downtime expected varies; from a few hours or at worst 2 to 3 days, depending on the depth of penetration and extent of the treatment intensity.
Other treatment options for Symptoms of Ageing Skin
There are many treatment options available for aging skin and at Skin Renewal we believe that combined treatment packages usually ensure superior results; the Dermapen™ can be used in conjunction with all of the following, depending on the problem:
Laser Genesis™, superficial peels, Pearl™ Rejuvenating laser, Transdermal Mesotherapy™, Carboxytherapy™, dermal fillers, botulinum toxin anti-wrinkle injections and other laser procedures.
- To decrease the size of pores, any treatment that increases the collagen content of the dermis would improve the skin’s appearance.
- Depending on the severity of skin laxity, a combination of treatments such as radiofrequency and tightening laser treatments can lead to physical collagen contraction and long term stimulation to tighten and improve the skin surface.
- To help reduce wrinkles there are various options such as Dermapen, laser rejuvenation, Pearl™ Fusion, Mesotherapy and Carboxytherapy™ to help restore the skin’s youthful appearance.
- A Liquid Facelift consists of a combination of strategically placed dermal fillers and botulinum injections to restore lost volume and soften dynamic facial wrinkles. This treatment can instantly improve the skin’s appearance, whilst maintaining a natural end-result.
Beauty is not just skin deep
Pre-mature ageing may be due to other underlying causes such as a poor diet, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals as well as low stomach acid.
We often advise that our patients eat organic, fresh fruit and vegetables as they have been proven to contain a wider range of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, such as Lutein, which specifically nourish the skin, keeping it healthy and young looking.
Just as important is digestion and absorption of these nutrients. Unfortunately with stress and generally poor lifestyles, the minerals that we need to produce gastric acid, such as Zinc, are lost, this then creates a low acid environment and affects how the body absorbs other essential nutrients such as Magnesium and all the fat soluble vitamins essential for skin health.
At Health Renewal we use an integrative approach which includes a consultation with a Health Renewal doctor, blood tests, bio-identical hormone replacement, IV infusions and nutraceuticals. One of our newest tests offered is hair tissue mineral analysis, which to checks whether nutrients are in the correct balance and it will also point to an underlying cause to skin not being as healthy as it could be.
At Skin, Body & Health Renewal, our team of trained doctors, nurses and therapists are not only passionate about healing your skin but more importantly making sure that you have the best health possible! Take the necessary steps to remain young-looking and healthy on the inside and the outside…with or without make-up.