Race against clock

Age makes you wise; while wisdom is welcome, signs of ageing are not. These days, it’s not just women over 40 who’re running for Botox and fillers, pretty young things are not averse to experimenting with new-age treatments to defy the signs of ageing. The anti-ageing business never had it so good!

Smoothen my skin

If the facial lines are worrying you, surface repair treatments might be the answer you are looking for. They can enhance your appearance and give your skin a smoother and fresher look, but they won’t remove deep scars, flaws or prevent ageing. These treatments should not be thought of as mini-facelifts. Generally speaking, tretinoin and glycolic acid treatments offer less dramatic results than surgical approaches.

Tretinoin (Tretinoin, Avita, Renova) is a naturally occurring form of vitamin A. It is the treatment of choice for acne, whiteheads and blackheads. Tretinoin is also the only topical medication that has been proven to improve wrinkles. In general, tretinoin is most effective in older patients who have some fine facial wrinkles, or blotchy pigmented areas caused by sun damage.

Reactions. Although no serious medical problems have been associated with tretinoin, it’s possible that its use could result in temporary skin irritation and redness. If this happens, your doctor may recommend a milder formulation. Tretinoin is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers, because its effects on the foetus and nursing infant are still being studied.

Glycolic acid treatments–Derived from sugarcane, glycolic acid helps slough of dead cells from the top layer of skin there by revealing a younger and fresher looking skin. This type of treatment seems to work best on patients who have rough, sun-damaged skin. Glycolic acids are sometimes formulated with bleaching chemicals to correct areas of uneven pigmentation. Glycolic acid can be used at home in the form of creams, which contain up to 8% glycolic acid or one can take glycolic peeling from a dermatologist. These preparations contain 20- 35% glycolic acid, penetrate deeper and are faster acting. 6-8 sessions are required, done 2 weeks apart and these work very well to alleviate early signs of ageing and are helpful in pigmentation also

• Use it at night. Glycolic acid takes fifteen minutes to penetrate your skin. So, if you have only minutes to spend on your morning skin care routine, smooth in the product before you hit the sack.
• Use sunscreen. Glycolic acid will make your skin sensitive to sun. Without fail, use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 if you go out in the sun.

Reactions. It’s normal to experience some redness, irritation, itching, stinging, or skin dryness once you begin to use glycolic acid. However, you can expect these symptoms to gradually disappear as the skin adjusts to the treatment. However, stop using glycolic acid if your skin becomes inflamed, irritated or red and consult your dermatologist.

Botox. Injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) have become increasingly popular for reducing wrinkles of the forehead and face. These injections provide a non-surgical cosmetic technique for treating frown lines, forehead furrows, “crow’s feet” and other lines of the face. Botox, when started early produces the best results as it acts on dynamic wrinkles when they are in the formative stage. Botox is also used in the prevention of wrinkles as well, by prohibiting you from making the facial gestures that cause wrinkles. Botox is very effective in 35-55 years age group when there is not much loss in skin elasticity and there is no muscle sag. Once sagging is marked, surgical facelift is the only answer. Botox is administered by a dermatologist. It is painless, sitting takes 20-30 minutes. The effect of botox lasts 6 months after which repeat treatment is required

Injectable fillers. Another source of erasing out wrinkles is -injectable fillers. Injectable fillers are very different from Botox; they replace and restore volume under the skin, whereas Botox acts as a chemical blocker that relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles.

Botox addresses only wrinkles caused by neuromuscular activity such as the ones in the forehead areas. Injectable fillers on the other hand are used to treat wrinkles caused by other factors like excessive sun exposure etc.

Injectable fillers increase the volume by absorbing water in dermis and subcutaneous tissue where they are injected. And because of this factor they are extensively used for lip augmentation.

Types of fillers include:

Collagen. This is the grand-dad of all fillers as it gives the skin its resilience. The two most common brands of collagen are Zyplast and Zyderm. Their effects also are said to last for a long time. But its necessary that the product be tested prior to use, as it is an animal-based derivative. Testing helps identify for any kind of skin allergy.

Hyaluronic acid more popularly known by the brand names Restylane and Hylaform is the new kid on the block when it comes to non-surgical cosmetic procedures but has quickly overtaken collagen, the old standard, and for good reason. Hyaluronic acid lasts longer, has fewer side effects, and is just as quick of a procedure. It’s the best option when it comes to plumping thin lips and filling facial creases such as nasolabial folds. Its effect lasts 6- 9 months.

Nowadays permanent fillers are also there in the market. They are injected in deep dermis and effect lasts 6-8 years.

Thwarting age is becoming easier done than said, if you are feeling young from within, facial lines need not divulge your age. Whatever options you decide to undergo, do it in consultation with your dermatologist and do not succumb to fads, and there is no way you can do away with the goodness of sunscreen.

Reviewed by Dr. Gulshant Panesar, Consultant, Dermatology, Moolchand Medcity

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