To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still
– William Shakespeare

Even if we prefer to be young always, we all know that growing old is part of life. It’s one of those inevitable things that you just have to deal with. Graying and thinning of hair, wrinkles, aching limbs, children moving out of the house, retirement… There’s a lot of things that go along with getting old. But you don’t have to face it like doomsday. Just like anything, you can face it with grace.

The science of anti aging has progressed immensely in the recent years.

One of the features of the ageing face is the loss and redistribution of facial fat and collagen. These changes, in combination with static and dynamic facial rhytids (wrinkles), are largely responsible for the emergence and expansion of corrective surgery. There is a trend toward less invasive approaches. Different modalities are used to address each aspect of facial ageing. In most cases, these techniques work synergistically to deliver the desired results, and in that regard, facial volume augmentation can be considered as one of the most important components of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation program.

Here are some time tested aesthetic procedures for a graceful ageing.

FILLERS
Aesthetic volume rejuvenation with dermal fillers continues to be a very popular procedure that is sought by a growing number of patients who seek the rounder softer contours attributable to a more youthful appearance, including fuller curves of the cheeks, lips, and temples. Continued patient demand has fueled the introduction of a wider variety of injectable fillers, which include dermal and subdermal fillers and several dermal implants that have stood the test of time.

With proper techniques and skills, these products can restore the facial youthfulness with relative ease and little or no downtime for patient recovery.

The commonly used filler substance is hyaluroinic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the body. It is injected into the skin with an ultra fine needle. It plumps the skin to smooth away the unsightly wrinkles and folds. The effect usually last up to one year depending upon the substance use.

Physicians can combine their knowledge of the anatomy and the ageing process to assess patient suitability, and determine the choice of product that will ultimately provide the results that each individual patient expects and deserves. As always, safety is of paramount importance, especially when physicians are dealing with the vulnerabilities of their patients.

BOTOX
Facial expression is influenced by muscular actions of the face. Both voluntary and involuntary contractions of the muscles play a significant role in expressing various emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and anger. However, the exaggeration of the facial lines can be cosmetically unacceptable or socially undesirable. 

Botulinum toxin is used in dermatology for the treatment of facial wrinkles caused by muscular contractions, These wrinkles are commonly referred to as crow’s feet, frown lines, and bunny lines. From the cosmetic point of view, an understanding of the complex anatomy and functions of the muscles to be injected is especially important.

The selected areas are treated by injecting small units of BOTOX into the thickest part of the muscle. The effect usually lasts upto 9 months. Re-treat the patient as needed after the effects diminish. All unwanted local effects of botulinum toxin are generally transient and gradually wear off.

A further indication is the management of localized axillary or palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) that is nonresponsive to topical treatment

CHEMICAL PEEL
Chemical peeling has become a very popular safe and inexpensive cosmetic procedure for resurfacing the skin. This procedure improves sun damaged skin, wrinkles, pigmentation abnormalities (eg. Melasma or chloasma, freckles etc) and pimples. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), salicylic acid, mandelic acid and trichloroacetic acid are the common peeling agents used. Depending upon the depth of the peel it is divided into three categories – superficial, medium depth and deep. Chemical peeling induces controlled wounding of the skin there by replacing part or all of the superficial layers of skin followed by remodeling. The procedure is repeated at intervals for maximum benefit.

In order to maximize the benefits of a peel for a patient, and to minimize side effects, it is important to choose the appropriate peel for each patient. In order to minimize post procedure darkening of the skin patient may be advised to undergo a skin conditioning program (priming) before the peel.
The patient should be sent home with proper instructions. Sun protection measures should be strictly adhered to.

MESOTHERAPY
About 40% of women around the world will suffer from thinning hair or hair loss, while 50% of men will experience some type of hair loss by age 50. Losing hair for women is like losing their “crowning glory” while men associate hair loss with loss of youth and sex appeal. Now there is Mesotherapy, a series of virtually painless injections of vitamins, minerals, and other hair growth stimulants directed into the scalp to effectively aid in hair re-growth. Mesotherapy can be used in women experiencing postpartum hair loss and peri-menopausal or menopausal hair loss. In addition, Mesotherapy has elicited a good response in younger men experiencing early stages of male pattern baldness.
This is not a cure for hair loss, but certainly a safe, simple, and cost-effective option to treat certain conditions. Meso therapy can in some cases eliminate the need for hair transplant.

How can mesotherapy treat hair loss? Mesotherapy replaces the vitamins and minerals, which the body loses with aging and stress. The hair loss medications in mesotherapy for hair can stir up blood flow to the scalp and revive hair follicles. Through microinjections, the hair loss treatment delivers nutrients to improve the tissue environment, and stimulate hair growth, straight to the hair follicles.

Although mesotherapy is a prolonged treatment, this cosmetic procedure can stop hair loss and promote hair growth. In other words, keep the treatment for as long as one wants to retain the new hair.

During a mesotherapy treatment, one feels a slight pinching or burning sensation. Patients describe the sensation as a lesser pain than a light pinch. After the procedure, a slight bruising may be experienced for a week.

Mesotherapy is also used for cellulite reduction, wrinkle treatment, localized fat removal and skin rejuvenation.

Prior to initiation of these cosmetic treatments, patient is educated concerning the procedure and outcome and a signed consent is obtained. It is also advisable to take ‘before and after’ photographs for comparison.

Essentially, you can be ‘forty-years-young’ or ”forty-years-old’. The choice is yours!

Dr. Mathew Thomas M. M.D.
Board Certified in Aesthetic Medicine,
Specialist Dermatologist
GMC hospital,Fujairah, UAE.