Beyond brown spots and wrinkles, a major aging concern is loss of skin firmness. When the skin becomes loose and starts to sag, it’s a sign that our collagen stores have diminished. Here we explain why skin loses its resilience, how collagen fibres can be rebuilt and methods to correcting lax skin.
Why skin collagen stores diminish with age.
Collagen, which is found in the dermis skin, is what maintains our skin’s shape and volume. In our youth, we reproduce collagen as well as antioxidants to protect our skin cells from free radical and enzymatic damage. As we age, our body’s production of these important materials slows. This slow-down in the skin’s functions, paired with less protection against the degradation of collagen fibres, compromises skin firmness and volume.
The visible effects of skin laxity.
Collagen loss can contribute to the following aging concerns:
- Jowls and ill defined jawline and neck contours
- Hollowness of the cheeks, eyes and temples
- Sagging brows and eyelids
- Cross-hatch static wrinkles
- Crepey skin
How collagen loss can be prevented and corrected.
While aging causes collagen stores in the skin to diminish, there are methods to prevent and correct this process. At Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare, we approach treating skin laxity with both non-invasive treatments and surgical procedures based on our patient’s skin condition and skincare goals. The available options include:
- Medical-grade skincare
- Thermage®
- Dermal fillers
- SELPHYL®
- Facelift surgery
Each of these treatment options offers a unique and viable solution to loss of skin firmness. Here is how they work:
I. How medical-grade skincare prevents and corrects skin laxity.
Pharmaceutical grade at-home skincare plays a very important role in age prevention. Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare works with physician-only brands such as VivierSkin® and ZO® Skin Health to provide high quality at-home treatments for our patients. Using high concentrations of active and stable ingredients in your daily skincare routine, such as vitamin C, helps prevent oxidative stress and support collagen synthesis in the skin. To learn more about tailoring your skincare routine to include antioxidant protection, we invite you to book a complimentary consultation with our medical aesthetician Bethany. Call (905) 901-9545 or email [email protected] to request an appointment.
II. How Thermage® rebuilds collagen.
Thermage® is a non-invasive device that uses radiofrequency energy to penetrate heat into the dermis. This heat energy remodels existing collagen fibres and stimulates collagen synthesis. This creates a rejuvenating response in the skin, which makes skin tighter and smoother and softens fine lines and wrinkles. Noticeable improvements to skin firmness can be realized with one Thermage® treatment. The newly synthesized collagen fibres form in the days, weeks and months following the treatment. Results can be optimized with follow up treatments to maintain results and continue the production of new collagen.
III. How dermal fillers rejuvenate areas of volume loss.
Injectable fillers offer a fast and effective treatment for volume loss, giving you a refreshed and natural-looking appearance. Oakville Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skincare provides filler treatments with JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® facial fillers. These treatments involve the injection of hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance found naturally in the body, into areas of face that require volume. Treatment areas include: nasolabial folds, lines around the mouth, ill-defined lip lines and thinning lips, depressions around the eyes and cheeks as well as eye and forehead wrinkles. Treatments last six to 12 months after which time, the filler is absorbed and metabolized by the body. Follow up treatments are required to maintain results.
IV. How SELPHYL® rebuilds your skin’s structure.
This unique treatment uses your own blood to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost skin appearance. By extracting your very own platelet right plasma (PRP) and converting it into a gel-like platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), SELPHYL® is able to rebuild the natural structures of the skin with unmatched purity and safety. The matrix acts as scaffolding allowing the PRP to remain affixed at the treatment site. PRP then stimulates rejuvenation and firming, giving the skin a natural and more youthful appearance.
V. Facelift procedures to address lax skin.
Looking for something a little more dramatic? Facelift surgery is an excellent option for correcting loose skin on the face and neck. Advancements in surgical techniques allow for more natural and beautiful results than ever before. A facelift procedure can include more than one surgery such as a brow lift and a neck lift in order to achieve desired results. If you’re interested in pursuing your surgical treatment options for lax skin, we invite you to request a professional consultation with Dr. Nancy de Kleer, plastic surgeon. Dr. de Kleer will build a customized treatment plan by thoroughly discussing your facial concerns and desired outcomes. A one-time $100 surgical consultation fee may be applied towards your chosen surgical treatment.
If lax skin is an aging concern for you, we invite you to request a consultation to learn how you can restore skin’s firmness. Non-surgical consultations are complimentary. Call (905) 901-9545 or <a href=”mailto:[email protected]”>email us today.</a>
