 |
|
|
|
Face odyssey
Cosmetic dermatology is advancing at lightening speed. ELLE reports on the latest developments.
By Christy Wright
|
|
|
|
Cosmetic travel? Check out these jet-set surgery options!
1. Portrait
Who it's for: Anyone with deep wrinkles, saggy skin, sun damage and scars (such as acne scars).
What's involved: A topical anaesthetic is applied to the face and a non-invasive probe that emits nitrogen gas is passed over the skin without touching it; this stimulates the natural growth factors for generating new skin in both upper and lower dermal layers.
Duration: Two hours.
Recovery time: Five to seven days.
Pros: Only one treatment is needed; skin continues to improve over time, looking plumper, tighter and more toned; results can last anywhere from three to five years.
Cons: Patients walk out with redness, which turns into a sunburn or tan within one or two days; it may cause skin to itch, so patients should see their doctor every day for five days following treatment for an application of a special anti-itch cream and SPF moisturizer.
Expense: From $1,500 to $3,000 per session, depending on the grade of treatment and degree of wrinkling.
Website: www.rhytec.com.
2. Sculptra
Who it's for: Anyone with loose skin, deep wrinkles and hollow under-eye circles.
What's involved: This new injectable polymer filler replaces lost volume by stimulating collagen production. A numbing cream is applied and left on for 10 minutes. Areas to be injected are mapped out with an eyebrow pencil.
Duration: 45 minutes.
Recovery time: No downtime, but injections may cause swelling that subsides within one to 15 days.
Pros: Little or no pain; no downtime; once injected, Sculptra is absorbed by the body in approximately three months, but the natural-looking results can last for up to two years.
Cons: Possible swelling and bruising.
Expense: Three or four treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart, may be required, depending on the patient's age and skin condition. Sessions start at $3,500 for a 35-year-old, $4,500 for a 45-year-old and so on.
Website: www.sanofi-aventis.com.
3. Wire line eraser
Who it's for: Anyone with deep smile lines (especially around the nose and mouth), forehead lines and vertical lip lines.
What's involved: Performed under local anaesthetic, a wire, similar h to a cheese wire, is placed under the skin with needles. (Incisions are not necessary.) Lines or wrinkles are released from underlying muscle, and fat from the patient's thighs or stomach -- or a filler like Restylane -- is inserted into the space.
Duration: 10 to 30 minutes.
Recovery time: 10 days for bruising to heal and swelling to subside.
Pros: Results can last up to four years, depending on how the patient heals and ages.
Cons: Swelling and bruising.
Expense: Starts at $750.
Website: www.drborn.ca.
4. Accent
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to have tighter facial skin or less cellulite.
What's involved: This radio-frequency device penetrates deeper than Thermage using two types of radio-frequency technology: bipolar and unipolar. Bipolar penetrates between two and six millimetres to promote tighter skin through collagen shrinkage and remodelling; unipolar penetrates two centimetres or more for cellulite and fat reduction. The treatment area is cleansed and lubricated with baby oil, then the Accent hand piece is passed over the skin
in a light rubbing motion to allow radio-frequency energy to penetrate the skin.
Duration: Facial treatments take 30 to 40 minutes. Two treatments, spaced one or two months apart, are required to boost collagen production. Cellulite treatment times vary, depending on the size of the surface area.
Recovery time: No downtime.
Pros: Non-invasive; painless (no numbing required); suitable for all skin types.
Cons: Patients may feel their skin tightening after treatment. (This subsides within one or two days.)
Expense: Treatments for the face range from $500 to $2,000; treatments for the body range from $200 to $250 per area.
Website: www.almalasers.com.
Page 1 of 2
|
|
|
|
Next page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
OR |
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
