Aesthetic treatments that nudge cosmetic surgery out of the way

Today’s consumers are not holding back when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. While the demand for cosmetic surgery is trending higher than ever, advancements in aesthetic treatments are also holding their own. We take a look at some non-surgical cosmetic procedures and treatments that boost skin vitality and help hold back time.

ALCHEMIE FOREVER
To combat aging skin and preserve the radiance of young skin, Alchemie Forever products for face and body combine the natural antioxidants — such as flavonoids, vitamins, iron chelators, and inducers of stress proteins — with potent lab-made molecules such as retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help correct and prevent the signs of aging, leaving healthier, younger-looking skin.

ELTRADERM
Made in Canada, Eltraderm Skin Care products are responsibly sourced, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free. The fundamental science behind Eltraderm Skin Care lies in its soluble marine native collagen, micro molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and advanced hydrating factors, which are integrated into its collagen products to encourage sustainable nourishment, support healthy skin recovery, and improve skin’s resilience and appearance.

LASPA
LASPA’s glycolic acid is created using sugar cane, which is fermented and distilled into a pure form. Once the glycolic acid is combined with the other natural ingredients in LASPA’s intensive anti-aging peel formula, the solution’s pH level is balanced to 3.5 before bottling. As a gentle cosmetic exfoliant, the peel stimulates skin renewal, increases collagen production, and improves skin’s appearance.

LIGHT THERAPY
The skin experts at First Ave Medical Spa in Vancouver explain that LED therapy works by emitting light in different wavelengths/spectrums, which have different skincare benefits. Yellow light stimulates collagen and elastin. Red light also stimulates collagen production but also promotes circulation and repairs damage. Green light reduces inflammation and redness. And blue light has antibacterial effects.

CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels use an acid solution to remove dead cells from the outer layers of the skin. The solution often has a mix of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, or trichloroacetic acid. After a few days, the skin’s upper layers peel away to reveal newer, glowing skin. The treatment can reduce age spots, fine lines, acne scars, and some sun damage.

BOTULINUM TOXIN
Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin) or prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs (Jeuveau) offer a temporary solution to aging skin. This purified version of the toxin from botulinum bacteria, in minute doses, relaxes facial muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines. The effect lasts three to six months.

MICRODERMABRASION
Microdermabrasion emits bursts of tiny crystals that exfoliate dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. This can reduce fine lines, brown spots, and mild acne scars, usually with little recovery time but can take several sessions for a visible difference.

THERMAGE
With Thermage devices, radio frequency energy is used to heat skin, activating collagen production, which can result in tighter skin. The treatment aids with saggy, crepey skin and droopy eyelids. Results are visible in about four to six months.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)
Similar to lasers, IPL goes below the surface to the dermis but uses a broader spectrum of light. The beam heats and destroy cells, triggering skin renewal. This photofacial can improve skin colour and texture without surgery, improve some sun damage, reduce the redness of rosacea, and lighten dark circles under the eyes.

LASERS
Performed by a skincare professional, non-ablative laser treatments use light and heat to trigger a controlled wound-healing response in skin. These treatments stimulate cellular renewal and collagen production to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, depressed scars, or skin tone and texture. Ablative lasers, such as CO2 and erbium (Er:YAG), vaporize the skin’s surface to trigger tissue repair and stimulate collagen production. Diode lasers commonly used in hair removal can also help with acne because they reach under the skin to destroy oil glands that feed acne.

COSMETIC FILLERS
With the loss of facial fats as we age, dermal fillers can plump up the lips, add volume to the cheeks and sunken areas of the face, hide bags and hollows under the eyes, and reduce jowls. There are several fillers on the market today, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethyl methacrylate beads, and fat from the client’s own body.

BODY CONTOURING
According to medical experts at Jennica Platt Plastic Surgery in Toronto, cool sculpting is a non-invasive treatment that safely and effectively reduces fat without pain or surgery. It’s a non-surgical, fat-freezing procedure that uses controlled cooling methods to safely target and reduce fat that diet and exercise can’t eliminate. Cold temperature targets fat cells, without damaging the surrounding tissue, and crystallizes the fat cells until they’re frozen and die. Over time, the body naturally processes the dead fat cells and eliminates them, revealing a more sculpted physique.

Available through DermaSpark, the TriLipo technology in Pollogen’s Maximus works on the dermis, hypodermis (fat), and muscle layers all at the same time to deliver triple action fat reduction. By heating both the dermal and fat layers, fat is forced from the cells, accelerating natural fat metabolism while causing the skin’s collagen fibres to contract and regenerate.