4 professional ways to treat the major signs of ageing

There may come a time in your life when over-the-counter skin care products just don't cut it anymore. If your skin is starting to show the major signs of ageing, such as deep frown lines and pigmentation, you might need to seek more intense and effective clinical treatments to get the results you're after. For those who want to dramatically turn back time, these are the best professional treatments to try. 

Frown lines

The fix: Botox
When injected into a muscle, Botox prevents muscle contraction and as a result, skin wrinkling. “The trick is to keep it natural and these days, it’s more about getting the placement perfect as opposed to the amount used,” explains Kaye Scott, founder and co-director of The Clinic in Sydney’s Bondi Junction. The pain factor is minimal and results last for up to four months.

The risks: These vary from bruising to eyelid droop or eye twitching. The symptoms are temporary however, with no known long-term risks.

Cost: From $400 depending on the amount of units injected.

Wrinkles

The fix: Fraxel
This is considered the gold standard of anti-ageing treatments. A fractional laser deposits energy into sections of the skin, causing collagen fibres to contract and stimulate new growth. A topical anaesthetic is applied and you’ll feel a hot sensation throughout the 90-minute treatment. Three to five sessions are advised and expect five days’ downtime.

The risks: There is redness and swelling afterwards; skin will also flake and peel for up to a week. Avoid sun exposure and use a fragrance-free moisturiser to calm inflammation. 

Cost: Approximately $1500 per treatment.

Pigmentation

The fix: IPL
Intense Pulsed Light or IPL utilises light wavelengths to break down dark spots, redness and broken capillaries over a series of sessions. "If the skin has any brown or red discolourations on it, then IPL will deliver excellent results," says Dr. Naomi McCullum from The Manse Clinic. You’ll feel a hot stinging sensation with each “zap”, but the process is tolerable and can be done in your lunch break with no downtime. Between one and five sessions are recommended for best results.

The risks: There may be redness, slight swelling and darkening of pigment immediately afterwards.

Cost: Approximately $350 for a spot treatment and $680 for the full face.

Sagging skin

The fix: Thermage
Clinically proven to tighten and contour skin using radio-frequency technology, a cool metal tip attached to a handheld device delivers non-invasive energy to skin tissue – stimulating collagen and sculpting face contours. It takes between 20 minutes and two hours depending on the area, and there’s no downtime. The best bit? You only need to have one treatment.

The risks: There may be temporary redness or minor swelling, but this usually subsides within 24 hours.

Cost: Approximately $3000 for one treatment.

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Inset images: Supplied