Decades of Difference

When we say skin rejuvenation, we automatically think of our face. We believe others only look at our face, but this could not be further from the truth. If we do not treat the body skin, its circulation and contouring there is a distinct possibility of decade disconnect. In short, the face will look one age while the rest of our body looks as if it comes from a totally different decade. We are an overall package and winter is the perfect time to rejuvenate the skin on both our face and body.

A young male client said to me the other day, he knows a “cougar” when he looks at her face and then her hands and arms. How perceptive of him, who would have thought. This is what I discuss with clients when we are looking at skin rejuvenation, the overall package and how important it is to invest in treating both the face and body.

There are so many treatments that can be used in both areas such as IPL (intense Pulsed Light), Tribella (a combination of Radio Frequency, Nano Fractional Laser and IPL) and Fat Freezing to name a few. As discussed in last months issue, the Tribella treatment uses 3 distinct modes of action and may assist in treating laxity, (a course is perfect to assist with tightening of the skin on the arms), fine lines and hyperpigmentation all on the same day. The treatment starts with using the relaxing DiamondPolar RadioFrequency (RF) and pulsed electromagnetic (PEMF) applicator and heats multiple tissue depths to start the collagen stimulation. This is then followed by the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) which targets brown spots (an absolute must for the beach, golf and tennis lovers on the Northern Beaches). The final step in this combination therapy is skin resurfacing with the Versa hand-piece. This final step works using nano fractional technology working on uneven, crepey skin texture and fine lines. Normally 3 treatments are recommended, 4-6 weeks apart and can be used again after 3 months to continually boost the skin and maintain the results.

To assist with contouring the body fat freezing may be the answer. Fat freezing works like frostbite, it will freeze the fat but leaves the overlying skin intact and reduces the underlying fat. Fat cells can be compared to a balloon that expands and contracts. When you lose weight through diet and exercise, you do not lose fat cells but instead, the fat cells shrink. With fat freezing, on the other hand, the fat cells are removed permanently, the bulges are reduced and a smoother silhouette is the result.

When you think of filler being injected, it is normally into the face. The hands also show the signs of age by losing volume and this can be counteracted with the use of hyaluronic acid being injected. This can be boosted further with a combination of Tixel treatments and injectables to give greater longevity to the results.

Skin Care for the face and neck receives the greatest amount of press, but when decreasing the decades of difference between the face and the rest of the body, don’t forget to exfoliate, nourish, brighten, hydrate and protect the skin on the body. Dry body brushing is the first place to start as it will stimulate the lymphatic system and the natural oil supply of the body. This needs to be performed daily before showering. This is then followed with a brightening serum to assist with the reduction of brown marks from years of sun damage. An absolute must is body cream that will both hydrate and regenerate with either/or glycolic acid or Vitamin A and thereby improving the texture of the skin. During the day always protect the skin with at least a 30+ sunscreen.

To ensure there is no apparent difference of decades between the face and the rest of the body, it is far easier and less expensive to maintain the body appearance once and you have it in check. If you are interested in rejuvenating your face you should consider the rejuvenation of every part of the body that is exposed.