1. Botulinum Toxin-Botox
Botox is a trade name of botulinum toxin and the way the toxin is works, its by blocking the nerve supply to the muscle, so it stops the muscle from contracting. We are using it to relax muscle of the upper third of the face, to the lower third of the face, platysma and thus prevent wrinkiling. With Botox, you can smooth away fine lines and wrinkles to achieve a younger-looking appearance. Botox offers a quick minimally invasive way of turning back the hands of time for those who are not yet ready for a surgical treatment. Botox injections are usually fairly painless and the injection takes affect over the first week, with the result at its maximum at about 10-12 days.
The results may last longer in some people, and shorter in others. Factors that can affect the duration of results include the strength of the muscles being treated, the amount of product used, and the individual’s metabolism. Usually, the effects of the anti-wrinkle injection will last between 4-6 months on the forehead and the area between the eyebrows; the effect on the crow’s feet is not as long, but this will still last for about 3 months. The results are natural, however as with all procedures, it is operator dependent and can be made to look very natural only with skilful application. Anti-wrinkle injections can be combined with dermal fillers to give maximum results.
Botox injections can be used for other treatments such as hyperhidrosis, muscle spasms and other health problems.
2. Dermal Fillers
Static wrinkles result from a loss of the skin’s elasticity caused by gravity, the loss of fat and collagen. These types of lines are visible regardless of muscle action and tend to develop over time. Dermal fillers can be temporary or permanent. Temporary fillers from hyaluronic acid can be injected into specific areas of the face to help enhance facial volume and youthful glow.
If permanence is what is desired, then the person’s own fat or dermis fat is ideal, and is the safest way to achieve the desired results. Dr. Nena Deskoulidi doesn’t like over injecting faces and performs it in certain type of patients. The complications of dermal fillers are very rare, the main one being an embolic phenomenon when injecting into an artery. This problem however, is greatly reduced with the application of dermal fillers by an experienced surgical specialist.
There are many products available, but Dr Deskoulidi collects the best and most effective of these products. Dermal fillers may last somewhere between 6 to 18 months depending on the area(s) injected.
3. Skin boosters
Skin Boosters are injectable moisturisers to revitalise the skin for a more youthful appearance. Skin booster treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid which is a soft, gel-like substance under the skin, which improves the skin’s elasticity, firmness and radiance giving an overall GLOW. Skin boosters increase the levels of hydration in the skin and stimulate the production of collagen, improving fine lines and wrinkles, producing firmer and younger looking skin.
In contrast to fillers, Skin Boosters help improve collagen and elastin. Skin boosters typically can last anywhere fromsix to twelve months as a minimum.
4. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to remove layers of skin, revealing the more youthful skin underneath. Chemical peels can reduce or improve fine lines and wrinkles, acne, scars, uneven skin coloring and other skin imperfections. Different chemicals determine the depth of your peel and type of skin condition treated. Dr Nena Deskoulidi uses light (superficial) chemical peels which remove the outer layer of the skin (epidermis).
A chemical called Trichloroacetic acid (in strengths varying from 20-35%, according to your particular needs) is painted onto the face and absorbed into the superficial to mid-dermis. By the fourth to seventh days the skin begins to shed, starting around the mouth and working its way outwards the hairline and jawline. Throughout the week you will use a prescribed ointment, Hydrocortisone 1%, to “dress” the face, keeping the skin soft and supple and reducing the itch factor while you are healing and creating new skin under the old skin. You will shed the old skin only when the skin underneath has healed, much like a snake shedding its skin.
The purpose of this peel is to freshen the skin, enhance circulation, soften fine lines but primarily to even out your pigmentation.
5. Threads
Thread procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that repositions sagging tissues and reshaping the facial contour. Thread procedures are a minimally invasive procedure with very little down time and are suitable for people experiencing early signs of aging, such as minor facial sagging. Dr. Nena Deskoulidi is experienced in using Poly-L-lactic acid and caprolactone, p(LA-CL) threads. These treatments are recommended to those patients who do not wish to undergo more invasive surgeries such as facelifting.
The disadvantages are that the results lasts around 10 months and they might create a scar tissue that could make a following facelift surgery more complicated.