The longer you study the signs of aging that have crept onto your skin, the more you probably consider seeking treatment for addressing your concerns. If you’ve done some research, you might be reluctant because of the harsh chemicals...
The longer you study the signs of aging that have crept onto your skin, the more you probably consider seeking treatment for addressing your concerns. If you’ve done some research, you might be reluctant because of the harsh chemicals in chemical peels or the risk, expense and downtime of invasive procedures. Rest assured there is a great option for addressing most signs of aging without these issues. Call Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO to discuss how facial rejuvenation can restore your radiant complexion.
Signs of Aging
Unfortunately, there are multiple signs of aging that can plague our faces and bodies. Changes in the structure of our skin and the way our cells regenerate can lead to many unwelcome aging concerns like:
- Lines, wrinkles and folds
- Dark spots
- Acne scarring
- Large pores
- Sagging skin
- Stretch marks
- Sun Damage
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
Young Skin
When we’re young, our skin seems as if it will be smooth, soft and even forever. Nothing seems to phase it, including a little time in the sun, not sleeping enough, or Friday night martinis: but that’s all doing damage under the surface of our skin. Combine certain choices we make with the natural structural changes of our skin and gradually all these signs of aging appear.
Collagen
The biggest reason our skin looks so great when we’re young is that we have a large amount of the protein collagen in our bodies. Collagen is a fibrous protein that promotes healthy cell regeneration and creates a strong foundation for the surface of our skin. Collagen packs tightly together in the middle layer of the skin, or dermis. Since these fibroblasts are so close together, there are no areas of weakness, so our complexion stays smooth and wrinkle-free.
Collagen also acts as an anchor for our layers of skin to stay tightly adhered to each other and our bone structure and underlying tissue. This keeps our profile strong and our skin tight and taut. This is also because collagen works closely with another protein called elastin.
Elastin
This protein keeps our skin and other organs flexible. Throughout our lives we’re constantly moving, making expressions, and inadvertently tugging at our skin. It keeps bouncing back to its original position. Because collagen keeps our middle layer of skin smooth, there’s not a lot for elastin to fight against because there are no weaknesses for our skin to fall into.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is a powerhouse sugar our bodies produce to keep our skin and connective tissues lubricated and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid’s molecules hold 1000 times their weight in water, so they’re constantly attracting and holding on to moisture. This gives skin a dewy and supple look. Young skin never appears crepey or dry because it’s got high levels of moisture naturally held in these sugar molecules.
Aging
Around the time we turn 20, our production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decline. This is when changes slowly appear and cause a dramatic change in our appearance.
Wrinkles, Lines and Folds
As we lose collagen, that strong middle layer of our skin weakens. The once tightly packed fibrous protein strands spread out because there aren’t as many of them. As our muscles move, those fibers also move and form little crevices. Our skin, lacking elastin, falls into those crevices, forming lines, wrinkles and folds. These wrinkles can appear anywhere on our faces, but the most troublesome typically are:
- Nasolabial folds from the nose to the mouth
- Marionette lines from the mouth down the chin
- Vertical lines around the mouth
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
Sagging Skin
This could be the most dreaded sign of aging there is. As we lose collagen, that strong anchor we used to have keeping every part tightly adhered to the rest is weakened. Collagen used to be a strong anchor that the deepest level of our skin, the hypodermis, clung to from below. When this layer loses its grip, our skin pulls away from the structure of our face and sags.
The most troublesome areas of sagging skin are:
- Neck
- Jowls
- Eyebrows
- Under the eyes
- Upper arms
- Above the knees
- Abdomen
Sun Damage
All those hours in the sun when we’re young and just getting a nice tan do more damage than almost anything else we do. Not only do the UV rays of the sun break down collagen faster than it normally would, but they even cause changes in our cells that will lead to sun or age spots down the road. Each time we expose our skin to the sun without protection, we cause damage.
We have skin cells that produce melanin. Melanin gives our skin, hair and eyes their color or pigment. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. As we age, melanin can clump together, forming dark spots. These can appear as just one spot or they can group together forming larger areas of discolored skin. Our skin cells don’t regenerate the way they used to, so these damaged cells become prominent and our skin doesn’t have healthy ones with which to replace them.
Uneven Texture and Tone
Those skin cells not being able to regenerate with healthy ones can leave the surface of your skin with rough patches, red zones and all kinds of discoloration and changes in texture. There are topical treatments we all try to even out discoloration and “fix” rough patches, but unless we’re helping our cells regenerate, the results will be temporary.
Acne Scarring
One of the most frustrating skin conditions has got to be acne scars. This can affect people at much younger ages than the other skin issues we’ve discussed. Acne scars form because cystic acne forms deep in the follicle of the sebaceous gland. When the infection swells enough, the cell walls burst deep within the dermis and the infection will spill into the surrounding tissue. As the cysts resolve, there is a void left between the surface skin and the dermis, creating the crater-like scars we’re used to seeing.
In those hollow areas, collagen has tried to heal the area but couldn’t repair it to its original quality. This kind of scarring can get worse with age as our skin loses elasticity and those scars droop, making them look bigger and longer than they originally did.
The Solution
Now we know the issues we’d like to solve, we have great news. There’s a non-invasive, easy and comfortable facial rejuvenation treatment that can restore your complexion and tackle these aging and skin concerns.
Sublative Facial Rejuvenation
Sublative rejuvenation uses bi-polar radiofrequency energy to deeply penetrate the skin while leaving the surface intact. This facial rejuvenation uses radiofrequency energy to heat deeper layers of the skin. It delivers this energy via a grid of 64 electrodes in a disposable applicator tip. Because energy is delivered in a grid format, it injures targeted tissue while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed.
The collagen fibroblasts that are injured under the surface of the skin are triggered and more collagen is produced to heal the perceived injury. As collagen is produced, so is elastin and hyaluronic acid. This new production allows the skin to function more as it did when we were younger.
Wrinkles and Scars
As collagen rebuilds, that middle layer of skin that was compromised by a lack of collagen gains strength again. The areas where crevices formed that resulted in wrinkles fill in. Wrinkles, lines and folds become shallower and eventually drastically improve in appearance.
Acne scarring is dramatically improved as collagen smooths the layer of skin left riddled with concave scars. Over time, the collagen fibroblasts become tightly packed again, pushing up dimpled skin and making your complexion smoother than before.
Discoloration
Age spots, uneven tone and sun damage are all a result of skin cells not being able to regenerate new and healthy cells. The heating of underlying tissue works to injure and destroy damaged skin cells, replacing them with brighter and evenly toned cells. When the results of this facial rejuvenation treatment are fully realized, our clients see a brighter, more vibrant and younger-looking complexion.
Sagging Skin
As the matrix of radiofrequency is passed over the skin, it penetrates deeply so the areas where collagen has weakened and allowed the skin to pull away from underlying tissue or bone structure can be strengthened and skin pulled back closer to its youthful position. Many clients enjoy a stronger profile, reduced jowls and tighter features.
What to Expect
We’ll have a thorough consultation with you to examine your skin and your areas of concern. If we decide this is the right treatment for you, we’ll make an appointment, Because this is non-invasive, you don’t have cumbersome pre-treatment instructions to follow.
On the day of your appointment, we’ll apply a numbing cream to the area of treatment to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the entire facial rejuvenation process. Our clients describe the treatment as a warm sensation, but not hot or painful in any way. We’ll place a grounding pad beneath your back to make sure the radio frequency can reach the targeted area. When treatment is done, you’re free to go.
Post-Treatment
There’s no prescribed downtime with this treatment. We send each client home with individual post-treatment instructions. The main thing to remember post-treatment is to stay out of the sun. Not only will this speed healing, but it will help you extend your results.
Results
This is a total facial rejuvenation treatment, so you’ll see results in all areas of concern we’ve targeted: but they’re not immediate. Remember, the primary function of this treatment is to stimulate collagen production, and that can take time. Clients see results appear after a few weeks. The recommended course of treatment is four to five treatments spaced one month apart. The best results are seen six months after the final treatment.
Results can last up to a year, and we recommend touch-up treatments once or twice a year if you’d like to enjoy seamless results. How many treatments are needed and how long results last vary between clients.
Don’t Wait to Have the Complexion You Want
If you’re tired of being frustrated with the signs of aging or other skin imperfections you see in the mirror and in pictures, now is your time to do something about it. Call Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO to schedule your consultation today. Our mission is to provide exceptional care and service to each of our clients while helping them achieve all of their aesthetic goals.