Which anti-wrinkle treatment is right for me?
It can be difficult to know which anti-wrinkle treatment is right for you with so many options on the table, all promising fresher, plumper and younger-looking skin. You’ve probably heard about chemical peels and anti-wrinkle injections, but without understanding the benefits, some of these treatments can sound, let’s face it, a little intimidating.
That’s why this week we thought we’d break it down for you and hopefully reassure you that there is an anti-wrinkle treatment for you.
Now, let’s dive into the treatment options.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to treat fine lines and wrinkles
Botox is the gold standard when it comes to the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s certainly one of the most talked about treatments but Botox is a prescription-only medicine, meaning it must be prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner.
How do Botox injections work? Anti-wrinkle injections such as Botox temporarily block nerve signals to the muscles responsible for forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. These wrinkles form due to repeated facial movements over time. By relaxing these muscles, the treatment smooths out the skin, giving it a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
What are the benefits? This treatment works quickly, offering results in as little as 3-5 days, although it may take a couple of weeks to reach its maximum potential. This is a simple, non-invasive treatment with no downtime required afterwards.
Soft Tissue Fillers
Soft tissue or dermal fillers, made from Hyaluronic Acid, are an alternative to Botox injections. Instead of targeting the muscles, fillers add volume to the injected area and therefore can give the appearance of reduced fine lines and wrinkles by plumping the skin. However, fillers are injected deeper into the skin, sometimes even on to bone, and may not be suitable for everyone. This treatment requires that you book a consultation to make sure it is the right choice for you.
Skin Peels
Chemical skin peels are an effective way to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. Despite having a somewhat terrifying name, chemical skin peels are a great anti-wrinkle treatment option, having minimal downtime – for some of the more surface level treatments you could even pop in for one on your lunch break and head back to the office with no one any the wiser!
How do they work? This treatment involves applying a carefully formulated solution to the skin (the exact solution will depend on which peel you choose) which works by exfoliating and removing the outermost layers to encourage cell renewal. By removing dead skin cells your skin will be left with a fresher, more youthful complexion, particularly if your signs of ageing have been caused by sun damage.
What are the benefits? Chemical peels as a treatment come in a variety of different ‘depths’ depending on your skin type and the results required. They can also help to improve skin texture and even out pigmentation.
Microneedling
This is a treatment we can get very excited about. And we now use the DermaPen4, the most technologically-advanced skin-remodelling device, for exceptional results. This is so much more than an anti-wrinkle treatment.
How does it work? This all-natural treatment doesn’t involve any invasive injections or heat. The DermaPen4 is used to make tiny micropunctures in the skin which stimulates the body’s own repair and renewal process to increase collagen and elastin production. This improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as improving the skin’s firmness, elasticity and overall health.
What are the benefits? The DermaPen4 has an array of different settings, allowing the practitioner to choose different speeds and different depths to suit each skin type. All skin tones can be treated and Microneedling does not sensitise your skin to the sun, unlike some other treatments, so you can enjoy the benefits all year round. This may also be a good option for those who feel a little uneasy (or queasy) with a traditional needle used for an injection.
Skin Booster Injections
Skin boosters are a great anti-wrinkle treatment for those who really want to improve their skin health as well as the appearance of fine lines.
How does it work? This treatment involves an injection of hyaluronic acid into the skin. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, skin boosters do not add volume but instead work by deeply hydrating the skin from within, enhancing elasticity and promoting a natural glow. By attracting and retaining moisture, skin booster injections help plump the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and restore a youthful radiance.
What are the benefits? This treatment is ideal for those looking to improve skin texture, firmness, and overall hydration, particularly in areas prone to dryness and fine lines.
Polynucleotide Injections
For this anti-wrinkle treatment the stats speak for themselves! These regenerative injections can increase collagen production by up to 47% and can increase epidermal thickness by up to 52% in as little as three weeks! As an anti-wrinkle treatment, polynucleotide injections are something we’re really passionate about. And they’re getting quite a lot of media attention at the moment as well.
How do they work? This treatment contains DNA fragments from trout, which help to rejuvenate and restructure the skin at a deeper level. If you’ve just read that twice thinking ‘did I just say trout?’ then you’d be right. If I’ve piqued your interest, have a read of our blog ‘What is the unfortunately named Salmon Sperm Facial?’ By improving hydration, elasticity, and tissue regeneration, polynucleotide injections reduce fine lines and wrinkles while promoting a firmer, more youthful complexion.
What are the benefits? This treatment is particularly beneficial for delicate areas such as the under-eyes and neck, where other injectables may not be suitable.
Prescribed Retinoids
We offer prescription strength retinoids to target areas where over-the-counter treatments just aren’t scratching the surface – pun intended!
If you’ve been interested in skincare for a little while now, you’ll likely know that retinols are a type of retinoid and retinoid is simply the term used for all Vitamin A based compounds. Vitamin A helps improve overall skin quality, including skin texture, the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. Over the counter retinols are much milder than the prescription strength retinoids we can offer. They typically have a lower concentration of Vitamin A and are often mixed with other ingredients. So if you think your skin requires something a little stronger don’t be afraid to ask.
At Home Skincare Products
Having a good home skincare routine is absolutely essential. More importantly, the products should be evidence-based. It is not until you try skincare products of this potency and efficacy that you really understand the impact your routine alone can have on your overall skin quality and appearance, including your fine lines and wrinkles. Make sure to develop a routine you can stick to as consistency is key. Choose a retinol that suits your skin’s tolerance and your skin goals and look for products which contain peptides and growth factors to aid your skin’s natural collagen production.
Feel free to ask us in the clinic and I can always refer you to specific products to suit your skin goals.
So, Which is the Best Anti-Wrinkle Treatment For Me?
Hopefully that clears things up a bit. Or maybe you’re now thinking ‘but wait, they all sound great!’
The best anti-wrinkle treatment for you will depend on your skin condition and ultimately your goals and commitment to better skin. At Noaem Skin we offer a consultation service to establish which is the best treatment for you, as no two faces are the same. If you’d like to talk through these options then please book a consultation with us (and don’t forget the cost is redeemable against any treatment booked!)
Iki and Dr Chris xx