As a person ages he or she may turn to anti-aging procedures to reduce the signs of aging and enhance appearance. Procedures such as laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels often are used to help smooth fine lines and reduce dark spots. To combat deeper wrinkles, procedures involving dermal filling injections may be used; these are especially popular for use around the eyes, mouth and forehead. Some injections also use chemicals to block muscle contraction signals to the brain, giving a smoother appearance to skin around the eyes and eyebrows.
Laser skin resurfacing is among the most popular of the anti-aging procedures. Lasers are used to remove the surface skin that shows signs of aging. As newer skin emerges, the patient gets younger looking skin that is firmer and tighter. An additional benefit of laser skin resurfacing is that it stimulates collagen growth in the skin, which helps make the skin firmer as well.
Though it is effective for fighting some signs of aging, such as fine lines and dark spots, laser skin resurfacing does have its limitations. Other anti-aging procedures should be considered for more significant issues, such as deep lines or badly sagging skin. Additionally, the procedure might require several weeks of recovery time and could result in infections.
A chemical peel entails a doctor applying an acidic substance to the skin, burning off the outer layers of the affected area. New skin develops, which is smoother and has fewer lines and dark spots. As with many other anti-aging procedures, skin irritation and redness typically occurs and may last up to several weeks. In cases where signs of aging are more developed, several chemical peel treatments may be required to gain the desired effect.
Rather than resort to surgical options for anti-aging procedures, many people opt for injectable options. For example, certain drugs block chemical signals between the muscles and the brain, preventing the muscle from tightening. This results in a smoother appearance to the skin and is commonly used between the eyebrows and around the forehead. To maintain the effects, the drug treatments must be repeated every three to four months.
Products that fill deep lines and wrinkles often can be treated through an injectable procedure as well. Doctors commonly use dermal filling products to fill lines around the mouth, forehead and eyes. They also fill areas of the face that begin to appear sunken with age. These treatments also need replenishing with touch-up treatments over time as the filler diminishes.
Individuals considering any anti-aging procedure should discuss his or her goals with a dermatologist. A doctor can best describe the pros and cons of the various options and which is best suited to each individual situation. It also should be noted that most health insurances will not cover these procedures.
