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Skin rejuvenation
These five skin rejuvenating procedures from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) can reduce or erase the signs of time.
1. Thermage
Thermage is a unique, non-invasive treatment that has a scarless facelifting effect. It delivers a controlled amount of radio-frequency energy to heat up collagen in the deeper layers of the skin. This produces healthier collagen, which helps to "lift" the skin and renew facial contours.
Treatments
- Results are apparent in about 2-6 months after a single treatment.
Pros and cons
- Thermage is fast, easy and requires no downtime (recovery period).
Side effects
- Swelling, redness, bumps and blisters.
2. Intense pulsed light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a flash lamp light emitted onto the skin. Melanin present in hair and pigmentation absorbs the light and converts it into heat. It is used for hair removal and ageing skin. For hair removal, this heat is transmitted into the hair follicle, which is then destroyed, and new hairs are prevented from growing. For skin rejuvenation, the heat acts on melanin in pigmentation to treat age spots and freckles.
Treatments
- 3-6 sessions for hair removal.
- Up to 3 sessions for skin rejuvenation.
Pros and cons
- It provides a permanent reduction of hair over time.
- The effects are generally better for women with lighter skin tones as the distinction is more obvious.
Side effects
- Small blisters and skin pigmentation changes.
3. Botox
Botox works in two ways. Firstly, it irons out existing lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, nose and forehead. Secondly, it "puts to sleep" the muscles on your face. When injected into the muscles surrounding your frown lines, for example, Botox reduces your ability to frown, or "crease up", when you laugh. This prevents further lines and wrinkles from forming.
Treatments
- Results can be seen in 1-3 days after a session.
Pros and cons
- It is an excellent quick fix – it takes just 10 minutes.
- Overuse of Botox may lead to an unnaturally "fixed" appearance.
Side effects
- If done too close to the eye, Botox can create ptosis or drooping eyelids.
4. Aptos
Aptos is a quasi-facelift done with a specially designed polypropylene surgical thread with cogs or hooks incorporated into its sides, so it looks like the backbone of a fish. The thread is attached to sagging skin to lift it. It is commonly used for the cheeks and forehead. The result is a "lifted" appearance.
Treatments
- Results are apparent about three days after one treatment.
Pros and cons
- Produces some facelift effects at a fraction of the cost of a regular facelift ($2,000 vs $15,000). Although cheaper, its effects are not as good or durable.
- Threads are sometimes visible if the hooks are not properly secured.
Side effects
- Swelling, mild pain and discomfort.
5. Laser
There are three new types of laser rejuvenating procedures:
The first uses a light-emitting diode (LED) device to stimulate collagen, decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and pore size.
The second, microablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing, treats narrow columns of skin, leaving surrounding tissue intact so that the skin heals faster after treatment.
The third is minimally ablative Erbium:YAG Laser. Its high-energy laser pulse is strongly absorbed by the water in the skin tissue. The laser light is converted to heat, which stimulates collagen repair. This procedure improves skin texture, wrinkles, pores and skin discolouration.
Treatments
- 8 sessions are needed for LED.
- 3-5 sessions for Fractional Laser Resurfacing.
- 3-4 sessions for Erbium:YAG Laser.
Pros and cons
- Lasers are effective in ridding skin of imperfections, but are generally more painful than other procedures.
- There may be permanent skin damage if administered improperly.
Side effects
- There is no side effect for the first procedure.
- For the other two lasers, you may experience a mild, sunburn-like sensation, swelling, redness and flaking. Skin might also take on a tanned appearance.
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