Stepping into a fresh year often makes you reassess where you are at in life; it awakens the motivation you need to set goals, start a new fitness regimen and make positive changes to how you present yourself.
Skincare concerns remain one of the top priorities, but the plethora of options can feel overwhelming. So whether you’re just starting to look into aesthetic enhancements or fancy an ‘at-home’ option, here’s a guide to help determine what’s best for you, your budget and your areas of concern.
From hydra facials to fillers, LED therapy to collagen treatments, here’s your overview of the treatments, products, and what they do, so you can choose what’s right for your beauty goals this year.
Chemical peel
A chemical peel involves a solution that is applied to the skin to remove its top layers. The skin that grows back is then fresher and smoother. It’s mainly used on the face to treat fine wrinkles, skin discolourations and scars.
Chemical peels come in different forms and strengths, from salicylic to glycolic to the more aggressive TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels.
Initially there may be some dryness on the skin surface or noticeable peeling, depending on the strength of the acids used. Recovery time varies from virtually none through to several days in the case of deeper skin peels. Take care to ensure you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen after chemical peels, for added protection.
Hydra facials
Hydra facial treatments combine cleansing, exfoliation and hydration to reverse the visible effects of ageing.
A hydra facial gently exfoliates the skin by removing dead and damaged skin cells from the skin surface, and impurities from the pores, with a painless suction.
Intense serums with antioxidants and peptides are then applied to the new skin surface to add hydration and to brighten the skin.
Treatments take around 30 minutes and you should see results after just one session, with results lasting for up to a week. They are perfect for those looking for brighter, clearer skin that glows.
LED therapy
LED (light-emitting diode) therapy is non-invasive and pain free – it can even be relaxing!
LED therapy can be used to treat various skin conditions and concerns, such as acne, fine lines and psoriasis. The light is used to rejuvenate skin through collagen production, reduce inflammation and clear acne or treat problematic skin.
LED Photomodulation gives skin textural improvement, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improves the appearance of sun-weathered skin.
It’s beneficial for women and men of all ages. LED treatments last around 20 minutes and usually two to three sessions will give you the best results.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy uses needles, electric pulses, or ultrasound to deliver active substances into the skin.
The purpose of mesotherapy is to deliver active substances deeper into the skin than is possible with skincare products. Via microinjections, electric pulses or ultrasound, active substances can penetrate the outermost layer of the skin. Mesotherapy may be recommended by your healthcare practitioner for a range of different treatments, such as facial rejuvenation, reduction of fine lines and improvement of skin firmness and elasticity.
Anti-wrinkle treatments
Anti-wrinkle treatments address lines caused by dynamic facial movements, such as frown lines and those around the eyes, which some refer to as ‘smile lines’ or ‘crow’s feet’.
Healthcare practitioners use tiny injections of a neurotoxin to relax the muscles that cause these expression lines and wrinkles. When the muscles are relaxed your face looks smoother.
Anti-wrinkle injections generally start to take effect within three to 14 days and can last up to 5 months. Anti-wrinkle treatments are not suitable for everyone, so it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional.
Dermal filler treatment
Dermal fillers are small injections of gel, typically made with a type of sugar molecule found naturally in the skin. They are commonly used to regain plump, youthful skin and for smoothing out fine lines,
They can also smooth away deeper wrinkles and folds that anti-wrinkle injections may not be able to. In addition, dermal fillers can be used to improve facial symmetry, enhance facial features and plump the lips.
Another type of dermal filler, commonly known as a skin booster, improves skin quality elements such as elasticity and hydration for a refreshed and healthy look.
Depending on how your body reacts, the area treated, the product used and the number of touch up treatments you get, many facial fillers will last between six and 18 months.
Collagen biostimulators
Collagen is naturally produced by your body, and it keeps your skin from sagging, giving it a plump and youthful look. Unfortunately, as you age, your collagen levels decrease.
A collagen biostimulator treatment involves injection of a microparticle solution, which activates the skin’s natural regenerative process and stimulates new collagen production over time.
Initially there will be volumisation of the treated area, which disappears in the first 24 to 48 hours as the injection fluid is absorbed. Meanwhile, the injected microparticles stimulate cells to build a collagen network which strengthens and thickens the skin.
The changes are subtle and gradual and help to restore facial volume loss due to ageing or illness. The effects can last over 2 years.
Mix and match
When it comes to skincare treatments and products, there can be advantages to combining treatments to achieve the best results, however certain treatments may not be suitable to combine in the same treatment session, or within a few weeks of each other.
And the final tip before you choose the right treatment for you? Remember, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner to seek advice on what combination of treatments will work best for you to achieve the results you desire.
Brought to you by Galderma Aesthetics. Learn more at www.galdermaaesthetics.com/au
