Today it is possible to restore freshness and softness to the skin, and smooth lines to the contour of the face without expensive operations.There are many modern lifting procedures that do not require major surgery.How to choose the ideal facelift and how do the procedures differ from each other?
Every woman sooner or later 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 is considered aging and what are its causes.However, we can say that aging is the result of the accumulation of defects in cells and intracellular structures, which gradually disable the body's vital systems.
Childhood
Perhaps the only time when the skin requires almost no care is the period of life from the age of about six months to the onset of puberty.Children's skin is supple, smooth, lively and fresh and it is a pleasure to look at it.
Adolescence
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end sooner or later and, starting at the age of 12-14, the appearance of the skin begins to deteriorate.First of all, it becomes more oily and some people produce so much oil that it literally oozes out of 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 those with oily skin.However, in any case, the skin does not remain the same as in childhood.
And, of course, the most disturbing skin change that poisons the life of a significant part of teenagers is acne, which comes during puberty and occupies the skin for many years (sometimes decades), despite all efforts to get rid of it.For many teenagers, the fight against acne becomes the main goal of cosmetic procedures, and sometimes even the meaning of life.Unfortunately, in the process of this fight, many people cause serious damage to their skin, which can be very difficult to compensate in the future.
A very small percentage of teenagers understand the need to protect their skin.Most, as a rule, at this time, mercilessly irradiate the skin with sunlight (and sometimes with artificially created ultraviolet radiation in the sunroom), cover it with layers of cosmetics (which are often left overnight), tattoos, wear them out with night vigils and all kinds of toxic substances.Despite all this, the skin remains fresh and elastic for some time.
youth
By the age of 20, the condition of the skin of many people improves - it becomes less oily, less prone to acne, more even and attractive.
The time between 20 and 30 years is a period of stability for the skin, when most people cannot think about the intricacies of cosmetic care, choosing cosmetics based on packaging, fragrance or company name, and still have good skin.
But all this is true only if the skin is healthy.Unfortunately, teenage stress, attempts to self-medicate acne by randomly applying anything labeled "for acne" to the skin, excessive use of antibiotics or retinoids, and sometimes unthinkable diets can provoke the appearance of various skin problems, ranging from advanced forms of acne to allergic dermatitis, etc.specialist.
Beginning of skin aging
From the age of 25, the skin gradually loses the fresh charm of youth.Cell renewal in the stratum corneum slows down and the skin becomes paler.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, marks from past acne, etc.
The closer to the 30-year mark, the more often women start thinking about skin care, trying to slow down its aging or mask its signs.And although doctors never stop repeating that it is necessary to protect and care for the skin from an early age, in reality, only after 30 years can the skin expect that attention will finally be paid to its needs.
Middle age
Between the ages of 35 and 50, skin aging becomes more and more visible.At this time, its 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 becomes thinner, and fat is redistributed (there is less and less fat in the cheekbones, and fat pads often form in the lower part of the cheekbone).dishes and, of course, wrinkles.
It must be said that the wrinkles that annoy women so much not only look different, but have different causes.They are often divided into static and dynamic wrinkles.
Static wrinkles occur due to changes occurring in the skin itself (damage to skin fibers by various harmful factors, age-related wear and tear and destruction of skin structures, etc.).
Dynamic wrinkles are formed in places of constant muscle activity due to the fact that when contracted, the muscle shortens and wrinkles the skin, and when relaxed, it returns to its original position and "pulls" it with itself.
In young women, the skin is elastic, quickly responds to such muscle movements and returns to its original state.With age, such exercises become more difficult for him, and around the eyes, on the bridge of the nose, on the forehead and around the mouth - where the facial muscles work most actively.
Age-related skin changes after 50 years
After 50 years, the skin is affected by the onset of menopause, when the amount of the female sex hormone estrogen in the body decreases.At this time, more wrinkles appear, the thickness of the dermis and epidermis decreases rapidly, and the skin visibly pales.The rapid aging process continues until approximately the age of 60, after which the skin enters a period of relative stability.At this stage, little depends on cosmetics, and any change is possible only with the help of plastic surgery.Those who have spent a lifetime protecting their skin from the harmful effects (especially of the sun) will have fewer wrinkles, fewer blemishes and look fresher and younger.
If the skin has been exposed to intense sun exposure (this is more important in hot countries), then it is very likely that it will show rough, deep wrinkles and be covered with age spots.
In old age (70 years and older), the skin is characterized by a thick layer (parchment) corneum, a thin dermis (through which the subcutaneous fatty tissue is visible, which gives the skin a yellow color), low elasticity and many deep wrinkles and folds.
The path we have described now is followed by the skin of each person and there are no products in cosmetology that would prevent skin changes that occur at any stage.
A teenager's skin 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 the skin of a 20-year-old girl.
Senile changes in the skin occur due to the fact that this is the program embedded in the cells, due to the fact that the skin, like the whole body, accumulates damage and diseases throughout life, in other words, wears out.It is virtually impossible to influence genetically determined aging, but you can slow the rate of skin wear and tear and prevent premature aging.To do this, you need to know which skin changes are inevitable and which are caused by our careless attitude or arise due to harmful environmental factors.
What happens to the skin as it ages?
As we can see, almost all structures of the skin (and the body as a whole) deteriorate over the years and stop performing their biological functions.For convenience, we can identify certain aging targets, which are also the main targets for anti-aging procedures.
Professional cosmetic, aesthetic and medical cosmetic procedures - we found out which facial skin rejuvenation procedures are offered by salons in our city.
Facial massage + botulinum toxin injections
Facial massage ─ manual or hardware ─ is one of those procedures that is suitable to use to prevent age-related changes even at a fairly young age.It also gives a good effect when correcting already appearing age-related changes (pronounced nasolabial folds, "proud lines" and longitudinal wrinkles on the forehead, "crow's feet" in the eye area, loss of facial contours, double chin).Massage allows you to work and tone relaxed muscles or, conversely, relax tense ones.Because of this, we get the effect of reducing the severity of wrinkles and improving the oval of the face.The massage is done in one course (an average of 10 procedures, two per week), after which you can correct facial wrinkles using botulinum toxin injections.In this case, it will be possible to use a smaller amount of the drug and get a more pronounced result.
Facial skin lifting + filler injections or autofat
With the help of plastic surgery, you can achieve a lifting effect, but, unfortunately, it cannot completely get rid of wrinkles.After plastic surgery, for example, wrinkles remain around the mouth, as well as "doll lines" (so-called "grief lines").To make them less visible, filler injections are used in the area of nasolabial folds, lips and cheekbones.An alternative to filler injections is the lipofilling procedure, where your own fat cells are used to fill the volume.They are taken by syringe from certain areas of the body (abdomen, inner thighs, knees) and injected in small amounts in the desired area.This must be done very carefully, because the main task is to ensure that the fat cells fit in the right place and take root.The advantage of lipofilling over filler injections is obvious: fillers must be renewed every year, while fat cells remain in the injected area for years.Also, in the case of lipofilling, a possible allergic reaction that may occur to injected fillers is excluded.
Blepharoplasty + laser procedure
To a greater extent, this combination will be suitable for plastic surgery of the lower eyelid, where the muscles are "glued" to the skin and it is impossible to remove all its excess.This is why laser treatment of this area is indicated 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 can be enough for a pronounced effect.
Often this technique is used in cases where it is necessary to get rid of hernial sacs (this problem, by the way, can bother quite a few young people).The operation to remove such hernias is performed transconjunctivally (through a small incision on the side of the lower eyelid mucosa), and after the removal of the fat bags, the excess skin remains that needs to be tightened - for these purposes, a laser is needed.
What is lifting and which procedure is better to choose?
Perhaps almost every woman sooner or later begins to think about getting pregnant.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 begins to decrease gradually, and without this framework, the skin becomes weak and inelastic.
All procedures are divided into surgical and non-surgical.Operating rooms require the intervention of a surgeon.Non-surgical methods include various types of lifting devices, as well as injections of cosmetic preparations that improve skin tone and saturate it with moisture.
Circular elevator
A circular facelift usually refers to an operation that corrects the front and sides of the neck, the medial and frontotemporal areas, the outer eyebrows, the cheeks 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 a few days in the hospital, after a week the stitches are removed and the swelling disappears completely in about 2 months.You can speed up rehabilitation with the help of massage and physiotherapy.You can fully appreciate the result after a facelift after 6-8 months.Circular lifting is the most serious and traumatic lifting operation.However, the effect is very long-lasting - surgeons recommend resorting to such operations no more often than once every 7-10 years.The circular lift should not be performed before the age of 40-50 years.Based on the depth of impact, there are two types of circular lifting: SMAS lifting, which affects not only the skin, but fat and muscle tissue, and a more superficial subcutaneous lifting.The first can withstand even the most significant age-related changes, while the second is suitable for less obvious problems.
This is important
The procedure has a number of contraindications, which include blood diseases, oncology, serious disorders of internal organs, heart disease, hypertension, diseases of the nervous system, epilepsy, pregnancy, lactation and a number of others.Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor before surgery.
Endoscopic lifting
This procedure is sometimes called a sutureless lift.All manipulations are carried out through small incisions, after which practically no scars remain.Endoscopic lifting is indicated for minor age-related changes - the appearance of facial wrinkles on the forehead and in the area of nasolabial folds, and drooping eyebrows.But if there is significant deterioration of the skin, it is better to choose a traditional circular lift.In terms of effectiveness and recovery time, the endoscopic lift is very similar to a conventional circular lift.Contraindications are similar: diseases of the heart and blood vessels, oncology, diabetes, hypertension, blood coagulation disorders, diseases of internal organs, thyroid gland, wounds and burns on the surface of the face, pregnancy, lactation, etc.In addition, after the operation, pulling sensations in the suture area are possible.
By the way
Facelift surgery reduces the blood supply to the skin, which affects its elasticity.Therefore, after surgery, additional procedures are always required for rapid rehabilitation.
Raising the thread
This is a relatively simple, minimally invasive and highly effective procedure.That is why it gained such popularity.The essence of the method is the implantation of thin threads under the skin that strengthen the skin.These threads are made of gold, caprolactone, polypropylene, polylactic acid, are biologically compatible with the human body and do not cause allergies or other unwanted effects.Thread is inserted using an elastic needle.Over time, connective tissue forms around the thread, which supports the skin and prevents it from sagging.
Non-absorbable and absorbable sutures are used today.The latter disintegrate after 8-9 months and are eliminated from the body naturally.Threads are used not only for face lifting, but also for body contouring.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about an hour.After 2-4 days, the swelling goes 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 lactation, acute infections, skin diseases, allergies, oncology and autoimmune diseases.
Hardware upgrade
Hardware tightening is performed using devices that use different types of energy (laser, radio waves, ultrasound) to affect the skin.Lifting equipment is available not only in plastic surgery clinics, but also in medical cosmetic 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 a number of other serious diseases.
Laser lift
When the laser is applied to the skin, thermal energy is generated, which promotes the natural process of rejuvenation.After laser lifting, the skin becomes denser and more elastic, the production of collagen and other elements that contribute to the natural rejuvenation process increases.Wrinkles are softened, blood circulation is accelerated and the face acquires not only softness, but also a healthy color.
Laser lifting is performed quickly and without anesthesia, although very sensitive people may experience minor discomfort during the procedure.Significant and long rehabilitation is not required - the slight redness goes away very quickly on its own and the effect of laser lifting is visible immediately.
Ultrasonic lifting
Ultrasound lifting is the only hardware technology that allows you to act at the deep levels of the skin.This type of lift is often called a non-surgical SMAS lift.The procedure is moderately painful and takes 30-60 minutes.After the procedure, redness or slight swelling may continue for another 2-3 hours.
When performing this type of lifting, an ultrasonic wave acts specifically on the deep layers of the skin and the muscular aponeurotic layer, activating the process of forming new elastin and collagen fibers.The synthesis of new collagen fibers continues for 3-4 months, so the skin will become 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;in real time, the doctor sees the tissue changes produced by the ultrasound wave.
Radio wave propagation (RF propagation)
RF Lifting affects the surface layers of the skin and subcutaneous fat using high frequency electrical current.Some devices combine RF with exposure to a magnetic field.The pulses heat the skin cells, activating them and stimulating collagenogenesis.As in the case of ultrasound lifting, RF lifting has a prolonged effect, which increases over several months and lasts up to 1.5-2 years.The session only takes about 20-30 minutes and does not require pain relief.The procedure is performed without age restrictions.
The method is contraindicated for people with a cardiac sensor and metal structures in the body (pins, plates, etc.).
Photolifting
The procedure promotes skin rejuvenation through the use of light thermal pulses that affect its deep layers.It is performed using IPL therapy equipment.The light energy is absorbed by the different chromophores of the skin (hemoglobin, melanin pigment), turns into heat, due to which the skin cell renewal process is stimulated, the pigment spots lighten and the vascular network disappears.This type of lifting is often used not only to soften wrinkles, but also to eliminate spider veins and flatten the skin.The duration of a session is about 30 minutes.The course consists of 1 to 3 procedures.
Plasmolifting
Our blood contains platelets - cells that are responsible for its coagulation.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, blood is taken from patients in a volume of 8 to 40 ml.Using a special centrifugation method, the platelet-rich plasma is isolated from the blood.The concentration of platelets in plasma for cosmetic injections is 4-5 times higher than in human blood.Thanks to such a high content, a visible and very fast effect is achieved.The course consists of 3-5 weekly procedures.The first results can be seen already on the day of the procedure.
Like other types of lifting, plasmolifting has a number of contraindications: pregnancy and lactation, skin diseases, tumors, infectious and autoimmune diseases, etc.
Lifting using hyaluronic acid injections (fillers)
Contour plastic surgery can also achieve a significant lifting effect.For example, with volume correction, creating volume, for example, in the cheekbones, a general lifting of the lower half of the face occurs.Bioreinforcement of the cheek and neck areas, when the filler is injected intradermally and subcutaneously in the form of a network, the skin becomes more elastic and toned.Vector lifting - the filler is injected subcutaneously towards the sagging skin, strengthening and tightening it.
Contraindications for the procedure are blood diseases, infectious diseases, pregnancy and lactation, damage or inflammation in the treatment area, drug intolerance.