Try: Fillers and Botox
As we grow older, our skin loses collagen and fat, making it thinner, wrinkled and saggy. What can help to fill in deep-set wrinkles and lines, and replace lost volume, especially under the eyes? Dermal fillers, which are injected into your skin.
Also known as “liquid facelifts”, fillers can add definition to a flat facial profile, giving areas such as the nose, chin or cheeks more prominence.
But that’s not all. Fillers are a versatile treatment and can even be used to encourage collagen production in skin, so your face looks tighter and firmer.
Even better, the results are instantaneous, although Dr Karen Soh, medical director of Privé Clinic, recommends doing them at least one week before an important occasion as “there may be bruising at the injection site”.
However, if pronounced expression lines bother you more, and make you look older than you are, consider botulinum toxin injections instead, which works by freezing the muscles to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Dr Soh says it would take approximately one week to see the full effects of your Botox injections, so schedule your treatment at least one week before your event. “It takes some time for your body to ‘use up’ the acetylcholine (what your muscles release when in movement) that’s already circulating,” she says.
If you’re afraid that these injectable treatments might end up making you look unnatural, Dr Soh has this advice:
• Ask your friends for recommendations. “Word of mouth is one of the most reliable and credible sources as the referrer would have spent time interacting with the doctor.”
• Find a clinic with a wide range of different types and brands of injectables, and a variety of alternative treatments. “This helps prevent any bias when discussing treatment options with the doctor.”
• Go to a well-established clinic with a good track record. “It is always good to check how experienced the doctor is with the treatment before proceeding.”
