As we age, our skin undergoes various changes that lead to common concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and sagging. While these changes are a natural part of the ageing process, understanding the causes and available treatments can help you maintain healthier, youthful looking skin.
With over 15 years experience in non-surgical aesthetics, Dr. Robby Bajaj of London City Skin Clinic is an expert in ageing skin, and has an understanding of the common issues and best treatments available so you can weigh up your options.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles develop as a result of a gradual loss of collagen and elastin, two proteins that give our skin its structure and flexibility. Over time, repetitive facial movements (such as squinting or frowning) can contribute to these noticeable changes, or facial volume changes due to laxity and movement of facial fat pads.
Environmental factors, like sun exposure and pollution, further accelerate their formation by causing oxidative stress to the skin.
Treatment
The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be minimised and prevented through a number of treatments, both topical and non-surgical.
- Vitamin C serums: Vitamin C serum acts as a preventative measure for fine lines and wrinkles when applied daily alongside a strong SPF. L-ascorbic acid is the active form of Vitamin C, and is a potent anti-oxidant, that also helps minimise skin DNA damage and brighten the skin.
- Vitamin A (retinol) creams: Vitamin A promotes active cell turnover to keep skin texture smooth and youthful. The one and truly anti ageing skin product.
- SPF: Don’t forget daily application of a quality high factor SPF to prevent UV and radiation damage.
- Botox: One of the most effective treatments for fine lines and wrinkles is anti wrinkle (Botox) injections, which work by relaxing the muscles that are responsible for the development of expression lines.
- Dermal fillers: These can restore lost volume in areas affected by deep wrinkles, improving the appearance of lines and enhancing facial contours.
Crepey & Sagging Skin
Like fine lines and wrinkles, crepey and sagging skin is caused by a natural reduction in collagen and elastin production. This results in thinner skin that loses significant structure and creates sagging skin due to the laxity changes of ligaments.
It is particularly prominent around the:
- Eyes
- Jawline
- Cheeks
- Neck
Although this is a consequence of ageing, it can become more noticeable and appear prematurely due to factors such as excessive UV exposure, smoking, drinking and sudden weight changes.
Treatment
Crepey skin is not beyond repair. With the right treatment, the signs of ageing can be minimised but it is important to visit a medical professional for a consultation to discuss your options.
At London City Skin Clinic, we will explore the following treatments and discuss which is best for your skin, symptoms and intended result:
- Medical grade skincare: This involves using active ingredients to protect your skin and help prevent further damage, as well as starting the process of cell repair to ensure effective and long-term results.
- Skin boosters: Skin boosters are injected into your skin to hydrate the skin. They contain stabilised hyaluronic acid (HA).
- Profhilo: Profhilo is a form of injectable Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that actively remodels sagging skin by stimulating 4 types of collagen with a tightening and lifting effect.
- Polynucleotides: These injectables have bio-stimulating properties that are scientifically proven to regenerate skin at a cellular level, creating a natural appearance without the voluminous effects of other non-surgical injectables such as fillers.
Dull skin
Dull skin is caused by a variety of factors including genetic factors, lifestyle choices, dehydration and UV radiation. It is common for skin to appear dull when the cells within your skin are not healthy or optimised to regulate its own hydration and cell turnover.
Other causes of dull skin include:
- Build up of dead skin cells
- Ageing
- Sun damage
Dry and dull skin is vulnerable to environmental and bacterial damage as it cannot effectively protect itself.
Treatment
Treatment for dull skin focuses on providing your body with the tools to continue to hydrate itself, as well as encouraging healthy cell turnover.
- Topical skincare products: Topical skincare products like retinol creams and vitamin C serums treat the surface layers of skin when used daily and are customised to your skin care programme. Exfoliation is also a key part of cell renewal, to remove dead skin cells at the surface.
- Skin boosters: Skin boosters restore lost hydration to your skin through more advanced and lasting methods than topical moisturisers.
- Dermal fillers: Dermal Fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) that builds up your body’s natural store of collagen, acting as a defence against dehydration and dull skin.
- Profhilo: As an injectable non-surgical aesthetic treatment, Profhilo has one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market. It intensely hydrates skin by stimulating 4 different types of collagen and is the most effective treatment for reversing the signs of ageing and aiding healthy skin quality.
Dr. Robby Bajaj has extensive experience in creating personalised skincare plans to restore the appearance of youthful skin.
For a more extensive review into the prevention of dull skin, take a look at our blog: How to Rejuvenate Dull Skin, or contact London City Skin Clinic for a consultation appointment to discuss your options.
Expression Lines
Expression lines form due to repetitive facial movements like smiling, squinting, and frowning. Over time, the skin loses its ability to bounce back, and these lines become permanent. Reduced collagen and elastin, combined with external factors like sun damage, make these lines more pronounced with age.
These lines can also be exacerbated by lifestyle choices including smoking, alcohol consumption and dehydration.
The most common expression lines are:
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines
- Smile lines
- Forehead lines
Treatment
- Vitamin C serums: Vitamin C serum can help prevent expression lines from forming prematurely when applied daily alongside a strong SPF.
- Botox: Botox injections relax the facial muscles that cause expression lines, preventing them from forming or deepening over time. This can be used as both a preventative measure and a treatment.
- Dermal fillers: These can restore lost volume in areas affected by deep wrinkles, improving the appearance of lines and enhancing facial contours. The hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers can likewise boost hydration in your skin which can minimise the formation of expression lines. There are different grades of hyaluronic acid with different properties, so make sure you speak to a knowledgeable professional.
Jowls
Jowls form when the skin around the lower face begins to sag due to ageing, gravity, and the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This loss of skin firmness can lead to drooping around the chin and jawline, which can be exacerbated by weight fluctuations or genetics.
Treatment
Jowls are more pronounced and advanced than wrinkles, and if approached early, they can be successfully treated and prevented.
- Dermal Fillers: Dermal Fillers bind water to the skin, providing hydration and cushioning support that can be vital in preventing the formation of jowls. They can also reposition soft tissue, and provide support and lift the cheeks, and also through a process of muscle modulation (Myo Modulation), cause a lifting effect.
- Botox: Botox helps to relax the muscles in the neck which pull down along the jawline and cause jowls to become more pronounced.
- MD Codes: The MD Codes™are strategic placement of HA fillers addressing skin laxity, volume and structural loss.
- Profhilo: Profhilo is a form of injectable Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that actively remodels sagging skin by stimulating 4 types of collagen with a tightening and lifting effect.
- Non-Surgical Facelift: Non-surgical facelifts can lift and sculpt the skin without the need for surgery. It involves targeted application of dermal filler injections that provide structural support in the lower portion of the face.
If you’re seeking the revolutionary effects of non-surgical aesthetics to manage your skin as you age, and you want to remain a natural look, then you will be in safe hands at London City Skin Clinic. For more information on what is included in your treatment, take a look at our Skin Treatment Price List or Contact our Skin Clinic today for a truly bespoke look at your treatment options.
020 3488 8469 | info@londoncityskinclinic.com
