Fine Lines
There are a number of different treatments that can be used individually, or in combination, to combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Botulinum Toxin
Hyperactivity of the facial expression muscles often results in the development of deep frown lines, forehead lines, or 'crow's-feet' around the eyes. Injection treatment with diluted botulinum toxin temporarily paralyses underlying muscles and, as a result, lines appear less noticeable or disappear altogether. It is a particularly effective treatment for reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the upper face - on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes.
Procedure
The procedure is performed whilst you are sitting upright. This helps the doctor achieve the best possible result as some of the facial creases and contours are altered if you are lying down. The skin is lightly cleaned, and small amounts of diluted botulinum toxin is injected into the areas likely to give best results.
Advantages
The treatment is quick and causes minimal discomfort. It is safe and effective and has been used in the USA since 1990. Lines are less noticeable or disappear altogether giving a more relaxed appearance to the face.
Side Effects
No severe reactions have been observed following treatment but some minor allergic reactions have been reported. Local symptoms such as pain at the injection sites and some redness and bruising may occur. There may be a temporary loss of sensation but this and other effects tend to be localised and short lived. Very rarely there may be slight drooping of the eyelid following treatment of the forehead. This is easily treatable with eye drops.
Treatment Programme
It will take 4-5 days on average (and sometimes a little longer) for the muscle weakening to begin after treatment. Once established, the effects usually last for 3 months - occasionally longer. If it is your first treatment, you will be seen 2 weeks later to assess the cosmetic effect. Every face is different and, very occasionally, some refinement to the dose used or additional treatment may be necessary to achieve the desired effect. Thereafter, many patients prefer to return for re-treatment at the first sign of return of muscle activity; others prefer to leave it until the muscles are fully active again.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are products that can be injected to help smooth lines, enhance the outline of the lips or create non-permanent fullness in certain facial areas. However, their main use is on the lips. Ageing causes the lips to lose their definition and they become feathered; their structure gradually shrinks. Dermal fillers create a fuller look. At The Burghley Park Clinic, we use Restylane™, Perlane™ and NewFill™ dermal fillers.
Procedure
A session takes, on average, 30-45 minutes. For wrinkle treatment, no pain relief is necessary. However, when enhancing lips, pain relief in the form of a local anaesthetic is often used. During treatment, tiny amounts of crystal clear gel are injected into the skin with a very thin needle. The gel then gives natural volume and smoothes wrinkles. This natural product integrates with the adjacent tissues allowing the free passage of vital nutritive elements, and the result looks healthy and natural.
Advantages
No pre-testing is required. Restylane™ and Perlane™ bind with water to give a very smooth and natural result. The effects of these dermal fillers are seen almost straight away. NewFill™ differs in that, after treatment, the dermal filling effect gradually develops over a few months. These treatments are long-lasting but not permanent, and they offer a safe alternative to surgical correction.
Side effects
There may be some swelling, redness, pain, itching, discolouration and tenderness at the implant site. These symptoms typically resolve spontaneously within 1-2 days after injection into the skin, and within a week after injection into the lips. A very small number of patients have experienced localised reactions, thought to be of a hypersensitive nature. These reactions have either started after injection or after a delay of 2-4 weeks, but, in general, are moderate and self-limiting with an average duration of 2 weeks.
Treatment programme
Follow-up is at the discretion of the client. How long the treatment holds its effect is very individual, depending on many factors such as age, skin type, lifestyle and muscle activity, as well as the injection technique. The effect lasts, on average, between 6 and 12 months.
Skin Revitalisation
Skin Revitalisation uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) to treat fine lines, as well as brown spots and thread veins. It produces smoother, even-toned, more youthful skin. It can be used in conjunction with the other treatments for fine lines and wrinkles. Treatment with diluted botulinum toxin can be administered immediately afterwards, for convenience and enhanced effect.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a form of mechanical exfoliation. It is also known as particle skin resurfacing. It is a non invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses a highly controlled spray of fine crystals to remove the outer layer of the skin, revealing firmer, more radiant skin underneath.
Microdermabrasion was developed in Italy in 1987. It has become very popular as a safer, easier alternative to chemical peels or laser resurfacing. Called 'The Lunch Time Peel' because of its lack of recovery time, it can be used in conjunction with botulinum toxin injections and dermal fillers for maximum aesthetic results. It can also complement skin revitalisation for an excellent result.
The treatment is helpful for improving skin texture, unblocking pores, removing excess oil and possibly reducing fine lines. It also helps treat sun-damaged skin, superficial age spots and acne-prone skin.
Procedure
A microdermabrasion machine bombards the skin with thousands of sterilised crystals and a vacuum suction
removes these particles and the dislodged skin. The force with which the particles are propelled, and the
speed at which the device is passed over the skin, determines the depth of treatment.
The process rejuvenates the skin in a number of ways. The combination of skin exfoliation and the slight vacuum stimulates the underlying structures to produce new, healthy cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. This leads to increased cell turnover and improved blood flow. The average time for complete cell regeneration to the surface of the skin is about 4-5 weeks at which time patients should start to see significant results.
Advantages
This procedure is virtually painless. There is no recuperative period. It treats all skin types and there is no "down time".
Side effects
Generally the skin is a little pink after treatment but this quickly settles. There is a small risk of bleeding, infection and increased pigmentation of the skin following treatment.
Treatment programme
Optimum results are obtained through a number of treatments, typically four to eight, spaced 7-14 days apart. Initial treatments are performed more conservatively, allowing assessment of any skin reaction. More aggressive treatments can then be performed, depending on the skin's response and progress, and your needs. There is virtually no healing time required after microdermabrasion, as rebuilding of the outer layer of the skin is rapid.