Top 10 Techniques of Aesthetic Medicine: Heroes of Our Time

Aesthetic rejuvenation of facial skin

Every year, the American Society of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), one of the most respected professional associations, publishes statistics on the demand for services. In 2016, the most popular areas in non-surgical cosmetology included injectable and laser techniques: botulinum therapy, hyaluronic acid injections, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, as well as photorejuvenation, microdermabrasion, and others.

In our article we will talk about the most popular methods of "beauty medicine".

Injection technique in cosmetology

Injections are popular, first of all, because they allow you to get the desired result without surgical intervention. The types of injections differ depending on the depth where they are made: from the superficial layers of the skin to the deep muscle layers. The duration of the effect also varies: from a few weeks to several years.

Let's describe the main injection techniques used in cosmetology today.

Botulinum therapy

This is the administration of medication made from botulinum toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Its action blocks the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles, so they relax. Botulinum toxin therapy was originally used to treat spasm-related disorders such as tics, and later began to treat wrinkles.

Indications for the use of botulinum toxin in cosmetology are facial wrinkles - in the corners and around the eyes, on the forehead, in the corners of the mouth, nasolabial folds, as well as changes in the oval of the face. Wrinkles of medium depth are removed with the help of botulinum toxin, which reverses a number of age-related changes.

The procedure is not performed if the patient has inflammatory skin diseases, bleeding disorders, or was treated with antibiotics and anticoagulants. Contraindications also include kidney or liver failure, individual intolerance to botulinum toxin preparations, and facial muscle paresis. No injections are given to women during pregnancy and lactation. Doctors treat with caution patients who have a tendency to edema, eyelid hernia and cerebrovascular accidents.

Preparation for the procedure does not require serious restrictions: it is recommended to avoid physical activity and do not drink alcohol. Injection using fine needles usually does not cause discomfort. During the procedure, the doctor can perform up to 25 injections in one area of the face. It takes 10-15 minutes. The effect can be evaluated after 2 weeks. Wrinkles are smoothed out due to muscle relaxation, but facial expressions and facial expressions are preserved with professionally performed injections.

The result of botulinum therapy is reversible, the effect lasts from 3 to 6 months. After that, the mobility of the facial muscles is completely restored.

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One unit of activity is equal to 3 × 107 molecules of botulinum toxin. The dose (the number of action units) is determined by the cosmetologist. On average, we are talking about the following indicators:

  • forehead area - 20-30 units;
  • chin - up to 10 units;
  • Area around the eyes - 24 units;
  • Nose and nose bridge - 10 units.

Contour plastic

During the procedure, the doctor uses special fillers (fillers) to correct wrinkles, face contour and its individual areas. Modern injections in cosmetology are performed using fillers, which makes it possible. Achieving the effect of 3D modeling while preserving all facial features.

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Most modern fillers are made based on hyaluronic acid. It is part of the intercellular substance and plays an important role in maintaining the water balance of tissues and in case of damage, they are restored. Hyaluronic acid injections not only help to moisturize tissues, but also stimulate the production of framework proteins - collagen and elastin in the body.

Indications for contour plastic surgery are wrinkles, folds and an unclear oval face. Contraindications: cancer, diabetes, connective tissue diseases, skin diseases, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy and lactation, individual intolerance.

Contour plastic surgery does not require special training. Some medicines contain an anesthetic agent, otherwise the doctor can administer local anesthesia. After contouring, there may be swelling, bruising, and induration in the injection area, which will disappear on their own within a few days.

The contour effect can last up to two years.

Bioreinforcement

Hyaluronic acid has found use in bioreinforcement, a special procedure that leads to the formation of the "inner frame" of the face. If the patient's skin has lost its tone, looks flexible, dull, if there are fine wrinkles and signs of ptosis, then the doctor administers drugs along the "fall lines" that keep the skintones from the inside. In this case, the doctor can predict exactly how wrinkles will form and, by introducing hyaluronic acid preparations, prevent their appearance.

Biorevitalization

Injections are also indicated to moisturize and saturate the skin with nutrients in a certain area. In this case, we are talking about the biorevitalization procedure. With its help, you can improve the condition of the skin of the hands, neckline, neck and face.

Injections are contraindicated if the patient has inflammatory skin diseases or allergies to the components of the drug. Pregnancy, lactation, as well as exacerbation of somatic diseases are also obstacles for both biorevitalization and bioreing.

No special preparation is required before using hyaluronic acid. After biorevitalization, slight redness of the skin disappears in a few hours. The effect lasts up to 12 months. Biorevitalization is usually carried out once every 1-2 months.

vector lift

To tighten the skin of certain areas (for example, cheeks, chin), doctors use vector lifting. Similar to bioreinforcement, only the drug is injected in several parallel lines in the direction of the desired lift.

Hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite preparations are used for vector lifting. In favor of the latter, a choice is made if it is necessary to lift an area prone to swelling. The resorption time of this drug is longer than that of hyaluronic acid - up to 3 years.

Plasmolifting

The essence of this technique is to give the patient his own blood plasma, which contains platelets. Plasma contains many biologically active components that stimulate cell growth, participate in metabolism, and most importantly, own blood plasma is not a foreign substance for the body. This means that it is not rejected and does not cause allergic reactions.

Plasmolifting improves microcirculation in the skin, normalizes water balance and strengthens local immunity. The procedure is performed if the patient begins to develop fine wrinkles, the first signs of aging, to restore the health of the skin (for example, after a sunburn). Plasmolifting can also enhance the effect of other cosmetic procedures.

Plasmolifting also has a number of contraindications, although they are few:

  • oncological diseases, hepatitis, blood diseases;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • infectious and inflammatory skin diseases;
  • Exacerbation of chronic diseases, acute infections.

For plasma lifting, 20-40 ml of blood is taken from the patient's vein. Next, it is centrifuged in a special mode to obtain a plasma fraction with a high platelet content. Then the doctor injects the resulting fraction intradermally into the micropapules in the treatment area. A standard course includes 4 sessions with an interval of 7-14 days and the effect can last up to two years. However, it is recommended to repeat the course once a year.

Mesotherapy

Microinjection of drugs directly into the skin to improve its properties. Mesotherapy is used for additional nutrition and hydration of the skin and to prevent aging. It is also used to fight stretch marks and stimulate hair growth and vitality. For injections, you can use not only individual drugs, but also mesotherapy cocktails that have a complex effect. Biorevitalization and plasma lifting are also considered options for mesotherapy when applied superficially.

To treat large areas, doctors use special devices - injectors. The need for anesthesia is determined by the individual sensitivity of the patient.

The injection technique is attractive mainly to patients who are afraid of surgery. But it should be taken into account that it is always possible that an individual reaction to the drug will occur, which is difficult to predict in advance. In addition, injections contain the risk of hematoma formation, skin color change, fibrosis - the formation of a seal at the injection site. All these risks should be discussed in advance with a doctor.

As statistics show. . .
. . . Women between the ages of 35 and 64 make up about 60% of cosmetologists seeking help.

Laser technologies in aesthetic medicine

The essence of laser exposure can be understood by deciphering the abbreviation LASER - light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation - "light amplification using stimulated radiation". That is, a laser is a device that "concentrates" electromagnetic radiation into a very powerful directed beam. Because of this, the laser beam can be targeted, precisely and pulsed.

Laser can be used in cosmetology in several directions.

Laser rejuvenation

The technique is based on heating the skin with a beam. This effect is short-lived, meaning it does not cause serious damage. However, it is enough to cause inflammation in response. As a result, the production of collagen is stimulated in the skin, and it is a structural protein that gives elasticity and tone. With this effect, wrinkles are "moved" outward.

Indications for laser rejuvenation are fine wrinkles, visible vascular network, enlarged pores, ptosis of soft tissues, facial contour disorders, presence of scars on the skin, post-acne, double chin, excess pigmentation. The procedure is contraindicated if the patient has inflammation and tumor in the treatment area, psoriasis or skin diseases. Laser rejuvenation is not performed during pregnancy or if the patient has a strong tan. The procedure requires special attention in patients with diabetes, hypertension, angina pectoris, blood diseases, etc. Sh.

Deep laser rejuvenation does not require special preparation and is performed without anesthesia. To get a sustainable effect, you need to do 3-4 procedures with an interval of a month.

Fractional photothermolysis

Wrinkles, age spots, enlarged pores, scars on the skin, crow's feet, stretch marks, small vascular defects - all these problems can be solved if you undergo the fractional photothermolysis procedure.

This is also a laser technology for aesthetic medicine, but here the beam has its own characteristics. It is divided into several microrays (fractions), each of which is not thicker than a human hair. All of them affect the microscopic areas of the skin, and thus a kind of "mesh" treatment is obtained - the areas under the influence of the laser beam are alternated with the areas that were not affected. Collagen and elastin are destroyed in the treated areas, and the processes of restoring the "damage" begin in the remaining intact cells. It renews the skin, increases its elasticity, tone and improves appearance.

Fractional photothermolysis is a procedure that can be performed even on sensitive areas of the face, such as the eyelids. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases or skin diseases in the acute stage.

After fractional photothermolysis, recovery occurs quickly, literally within a week, and the basal layer of the epidermis returns to normal on the first day. For the effect to be more pronounced, doctors recommend attending 3-4 sessions with an interval of one month.

In case of increased sensitivity, the patient is subjected to the procedure using an anesthetic gel, but in most cases this can be avoided.

SMAS lifter

The English abbreviation SMAS - superficial musculo-aponeurotic system - means "subcutaneous musculo-aponeurotic layer". It is formed by muscles and ligaments. Lifting this layer allows you to achieve good results. That is, by tightening the skin, we fight surface wrinkles, and by acting on the SMAS, we correct deep wrinkles.

SMAS lifting is performed using an ultrasound machine. By heating the deep layers of the skin and muscles, the ultrasound wave causes them to contract and activate the production of structural proteins. Acceleration of metabolic processes leads to improvement of appearance.

Quite often, SMAS lifting is recommended for patients who do not want to undergo surgical lifting for one reason or another. The second category of patients who are suitable for a SMAS lift are those who have undergone a surgical lift and are looking to prolong the results.

During the procedure, using ultrasound, the cosmetologist "sees" the deep layers and evaluates the condition of the muscles and fascia. Accordingly, the doctor directs the therapeutic effect of energy ultrasound to the desired muscles, fascia and ligaments at the required depth.

SMAS lifting does not require special training. The procedure is moderately painful, taking analgesics allows you to comfortably endure it. The effect is partially noticeable after the procedure, and the lifting results can be fully evaluated after three months.

Injection techniques in cosmetology and laser aesthetic cosmetology make it possible to solve many problems that only a few years ago required surgical intervention. Prolonging youth is not only a dream for women, today the services of cosmetologists are used by both young people and men who previously rarely visited cosmetology clinics. And the ability to solve many problems without surgical intervention, of course, makes aesthetic medicine more and more attractive and in demand.

How to choose a cosmetology clinic

Every visitor to the beauty center will probably say that one of the main points of choosing "your" clinic and "your" doctor is the individual approach implemented (or not implemented) by the specialist. A cosmetologist will tell you about the nuances of combining personal and objective approaches:

"Working in cosmetology, we cannot act only based on our preferences and opinions. We must take into account the patient's expectations, his mood, including his doubts and fears. The experience of specialists plays a decisive role here. For example, "Gradient" clinic employs cosmetologists with higher medical education, specializing in the field of aesthetic medicine, and also trained with modern equipment. This makes it possible to look at the problem more broadly.

And we cannot fail to mention the importance of modern equipment. Manufacturers are moving toward improving devices, and clinicians, as well as patients themselves, are certainly paying attention. "

Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology make it possible to correct many defects of appearance, such as wrinkles, scars, acne, which improves appearance and prolongs youth.

Pronounced wrinkles that show age can be eliminated using cosmetic procedures such as intradermal facial contouring.

Modern technologies in medicine help to solve many cosmetic problems without the use of radical measures.

The cost of cosmetic procedures depends on the complexity of the task, the area of correction and the amount of work.

You can ask any questions during the initial consultation with the beautician.