During a beauty contest held in a historic hotel in Manila, the host asked one of the contenders: “How do you see yourself 10 years from now?” With confidence, she replied, “I am now 18, plus 10. I will be 28!”
Her answer may be funny but there’s more truth to it. Every day, we grow older. We cannot defy age. There are those who die younger like James Dean as a result of an accident. Some who were lucky died of old age like the Oscar-wining Paul Newman.
Each day should be counted as a blessing because we don’t know if we will still be alive the following day. Pop superstar Michael Jackson was busy preparing for his comeback concert when the Grim Reaper took his life; he was 50.
While some people welcome birthdays, there are those who dread them. The reason: another year is again added to their age. This is especially true among women. As Kathy Lette pointed out, “Age to women is like Kryptonite to Superman.”
At one time, a thirty-something woman applied for a job. The receptionist gave her an application form and one of the queries was about age. The woman wrote: “Nuclear.”
Individuals deal with aging in different ways. Some adjust to it; they plan for the “golden years,” and accept their decreasing vitality as inevitable. Others deny; they are always looking for “the fountain of youth.” They try to alter their appearance with make-up, hair coloring or plastic surgery. This must be the reason why beauty salons and clinics are sprouting all over the country.
Unknowingly, there are now ways to make younger without resorting to surgery. Thank to surgery-free techniques, you can now look ten years younger than your real age. But of course there is always a price to pay.
Heading the list is botox, the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Small, diluted amounts when directly injected interrupt the connection between nerve and muscle, causing the surface area – frown and forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye) and neck creases – to relax.
“The results are dramatic – with frown lines disappearing, forehead wrinkles smoothed out, younger brow positions, bigger double eyelids and eyes, and a lot more,” says Dr. Chua Jun Jin, a rejuvenative cosmetic and laser surgeon at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Center in Singapore.
Before you begin, be sure to choose only an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Never settle for anything less. The first treatment lasts three to four months. The effects from botox may last up to six months. As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear and wrinkles need to be re-treated. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are being trained to relax.
Among the reported adverse events of botox from cosmetic use includes headaches, focal facial paralysis, muscle weakness, flu-like syndromes, and allergic reactions. But the most common side effect is bruising at the point of injection.
Botox is not recommended for all. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a neurological disease should not use botox. Since botox doesn’t work for all wrinkles, especially those caused by sun damage and gravity, a consultation with a doctor is recommended.
Another age-defying technique is retinoids. These are used in the treatment of many diverse diseases and are effective in the treatment of a number of dermatological conditions such as inflammatory skin disorders, skin cancers, and disorders of increased cell turnover (example psoriasis).
Natural compounds derived from vitamin A, retinoids treat brown spots and superficial wrinkles. Studies have shown that topical creams containing retinoids tretinoin and tazarotene are highly effective.
When used regularly, retinoids can reduce fine wrinkles, rough skin and other signs of ageing. “It may take one month or so before seen,” says Dr. Ivor Lim, a plastic surgeon at the Camdem Medical Center in Singapore.
According to Dr. Andrew Khoo, a plastic surgeon at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Center, prescription-strength retinoids are stronger, more effective and produce results faster than over-the-counter products. Common side effects include irritation, such as redness, flaking and skin sensitivity.
For those with sagging skin, the thermage procedure is the answer as it tightens the skins without incisions. “It’s especially great in men who don’t like the idea of cosmetic surgery and don’t like people to even suspect they’ve had it,” says Dr. Lim. Some patients notice the results soon after the treatment, although in most patients they will appear gradually over 2 to 6 months.
Here’s how it works: Radio frequencies heat and damage collagen. In turn, the collagen contracts, then rebuilds and strengthens, tightening and lifting skin.
Thermage is new, so long-term results are unknown. Each time treatment is delivered there is an immediate cool sensation, followed by a brief hot sensation, followed by a cool sensation. The attending physician may offer anesthetic enhancement to increase the comfort.
Injectable skin fillers have added new dimensions to the field of cosmetic dermatology, allowing new forms of facial rejuvenation and wrinkle treatment without surgery. Injectable skin and wrinkle fillers are used to increase tissue volume (as with lip augmentation), reduce wrinkles, and improve skin’s overall contour.
There are over 40 different varieties of skin fillers available in the market, made from substances such as bovine and human collagen and cadaver tissue to body fat and calcium. Collagen, a natural protein in the human body that supports the joints, bones, ligaments, and skin has been used since 1976.
Fascian is a long-lasting wrinkle filler that some studies indicate may actually stimulate the production of natural collagen in the body. After Radiesse is injected, thin tissue forms around the microspheres, filling wrinkles and creating a semi-permanent support structure for the skin. Results may last up to two years or more, though touchup procedures may be needed.
For people having problems with dull, yellow teeth, solution comes in the form of teeth whitening. Many teeth whitening systems are available, including whitening toothpastes, over-the counter gels, rinses, strips, and trays, and whitening agents obtained from a dentist.
“For those who want immediate results, like someone getting married in a few weeks, I usually recommend ‘power bleaching,’ which uses a light-emitting diode lamp to hasten the bleaching process,” says Dr. Zosima Reyes, chairperson for the Department of Dentistry and Oral Medicine at St. Luke’s Medical Center. “Dramatic results are obtained in an hour.”
Store-bought strips, which whiten teeth in one to two weeks, may be all that’s needed for some people.
How long any treatment lasts varies, depending on the daily oral habits. Over the counter-products can be effective for up to a year, while laser treatments can last from six months to two years.
Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best. By the way, bleaching may cause temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irrigation.
