Whilst injectables like Botox are considered the gold standard for minimising fine lines and wrinkles, you may be wondering what the options are if you’re seeking a less invasive approach – it’s a very personal decision and one that only you can make. Whatever your inclination, as we get older, collagen depletes and fine lines and wrinkles become more pronounced. Smooth, luminous skin is harder to come by, so finding easy ways to soften and smooth skin can keep you feeling your best.
The good news is that skincare formulations and technologies have come a long way over the last decade and there are plenty of options for those who don’t want to go down the injectable route, but who wish to manage the ageing process proactively and feel happy and confident in their skin whatever their age.
The best treatments will work to improve the skin’s production of collagen (the structural protein that gives our skin firmness and bounce), which can help minimise the appearance of fine lines and support overall skin health. And the right skincare can work wonders, too.
Profound RF
With a clinical device, microneedling is an excellent treatment for creating a smoother, firmer, fresher-looking face as the skin races to repair the thousands of tiny puncture wounds by producing more collagen. Radiofrequency (RF), which heats the collagen layer within the skin enough to damage it (cue more collagen repair), is highly effective. By firing RF energy out of the tips of the needles while they’re deep in the skin, combining the two methods of collagen stimulation makes for a very effective treatment indeed.
Profound RF, a radiofrequency microneedling device that is four times more powerful than its competitors, provides a visible tightening, contouring effect across the lower face and neck, making it a highly effective solution for eliminating fine lines and sagging.
Sofwave
Studies show that the FDA-approved device, Sofwave, lifts the eyelids by up to 5mm; and tightens jowly jawlines, so it’s perfect for menopausal skin that’s starting to drop. Its super-smart delivery system uses patented Ultrasound Parallel Beam SUPERB™ technology. Unlike rival ultrasound devices that hit the muscle, it can target the mid-dermis, which boosts collagen, for that all-important lifting effect.
The new collagen takes three months to kick in post-treatment, and when it does, you can expect tighter skin, brighter, more open eyelids, a sharper jawline, and an elegantly elevated mid-face.
Chemical peels
Targeted chemical peels like the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Peel are particularly clever at targeting issues such as fine lines and wrinkles. The AlphaRet peel is excellent if you’ve had a bit too much sun over the years and need to slough away some of the damage. It’s also a great anti-ageing all-rounder and effectively softens fine lines. The beauty of a chemical peel is that it comes in a variety of strengths so that we can target multiple skin concerns simultaneously. A course of peels will give excellent results improving skin texture whilst at the same time brightening the skin, fading pigmentation, softening fine lines and wrinkles and improving hydration for a beautifully refreshed appearance.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses a motorised needling device – a pen-shaped device with a grid of tiny needles at its tip. These devices move smoothly over the skin’s surface, at speeds of up to 120 times per second, creating tiny puncture wounds that stimulate the wound-healing response producing more collagen and elastin and tightening up the skin. It’s a great treatment on its own, but it can also be combined with active serums to help push them deeper into the skin, optimising the results.
Meder Beauty Myo-Fix Facial
In terms of at-home facials, Meder Beauty is the first I’ve seen that achieves this standard of results. I particularly love the MYO-Fix Treatment which is a concentrate that relaxes your muscles to a slightly lesser degree than Botox but still an impressive amount, and absolutely anyone can use it to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – even those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Not only are their DIY facials easy to understand and follow, but they also provide the perfect amount of product for your facial so that you can’t overuse ingredients.
Retinol
Consistent use of a retinoid product is proven to help reduce fine lines. They work by increasing your skin’s cell turnover to encourage younger, fresher cells to come up to the upper layers of the skin. The key is to persist – retinoids can increase sensitivity and often result in shedding. It can take several weeks to notice any improvement, with results continuing to get better over time. To help the skin acclimatise to retinoids slowly, apply in the evening and follow with a moisturiser.
If you’d like to find out more about the best treatment options for you, click here to book a consultation.