Face shape shifters
If you want to look younger, the number of treatments to help you is increasing all the time
The angles of the face change as we get older. Cheekbones and contours that were once well defined lose definition as fat under the skin moves south and collagen decreases and becomes less elastic. There are several non-surgical procedures that can help the skin regain its youthful definition. These can plump up or fill in areas or firm and lift muscle and tissues, rather than stretch, tighten and pull the skin upwards, which is what a traditional surgical face lift achieves.
The following treatments have been sourced from UK specialists or doctors, although most are available here through reputable surgeons, dermatologists or beauty therapists.
THE FILLERS
Teosyal Ultra Deep
A latest generation filler, it uses hyaluronic acid produced in a laboratory. Its purpose is to plump up cheeks and is injected either on the top of the cheekbones to enhance face shape or, more commonly, along the ogee curve, which is the area of the cheekbone that flows into the cheek hollow. The results are added volume and possibly a tightening effect in the area. Two or three sessions are needed to achieve more chiselled cheekbones as the filler needs time to set between layers.
Lasts: usually around 12 months.
Cost: from £320
Where: Collagenics UK Tel: 0044 845 330 3077
Restylane
Not so much a face contour shaper but it deserves a mention as it is a well respected brand. This injected filler also uses hyaluronic acid, replacing the older method of using bovine (animal) collagen, which sometimes caused allergic reaction or rejection. Restylane is used more as a wrinkle filler than a contouring plumper, and is commonly used along nose to mouth and frown lines or crepey chests.
Lasts: around six to 12 months
Cost: from £200
Where: Vital 0044 01737 735503
THE SCULPTOR
Sculptra
This is also a filler and is an injection using poly-l-lactic acid, a non-animal-based sugar. Its purpose is to plump out sunken cheeks and fill nose to mouth lines.
Two sessions are usually needed and there is some swelling that subsides fairly quickly. Improvement can continue for three or four months following the treatment due to an increase in collagen production.
Lasts: up to two years.
Cost: £350
Where: Court House Clinics. Tel: 0044 870 850 3456
THE MINI LIFT
Contour Threads
A non surgical alternative to a face lift, it involves using threads which have tiny barbs or ‘teeth’ attached to them, which are threaded under the skin and cling to sagging tissues to enable a lift to be achieved as the thread is attached and gently pulled up. A mini lift to the cheeks is achieved and is ideal for anyone with early signs of ageing, such as sagging or slackening of cheeks and jawline. Treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and there is usually some discomfort, bruising and swelling afterwards. The procedure leaves no visible scarring and most patients can be back at work after one week.
Lasts: up to four years
Cost: £2,400 per area
Where: Professor Kirwan. Tel: 0044 207 935 8844
MUSCLE TONING – MICROCURRENT
Bio Ultimate Platinum
Microcurrent therapy was originally developed in the eighties as a medical treatment to treat patients who had facial weakness due to stroke or Bell’s Palsy. Since then many companies have developed machines to offer this treatment as an effective beauty facial toning treatment that firms and lifts facial muscles, reduces wrinkles and speeds up lymph drainage which reduces puffiness around eyes. The microcurrent involved is subsensory, meaning you barely detect or feel anything as it ‘re-trains’ your muscles towards a more northerly position! After a few sessions (10 to 15 are recommended) the face looks firmer, more relaxed and skin is smoother, with facial contours more defined.
Lasts: effects after a course last for many months sometimes benefits are retained for over a year. Monthly maintenance sessions retain results even longer.
Cost: In UK, from £45 a session.
Where: Tel: 0044 1788 550440 or in Cyprus 99 548338
RADIO FREQUENCY
Accent or Thermage
This procedure uses radio waves to heat up collagen so the skin under the chin instantly tightens. The radio frequency energy heats up the tissues under the skin, so there is little effect on wrinkles, but a tightening effect is achieved on cheeks or jawline. Side effects include swelling and blisters, which usually disappear in a few days. A cooling lotion may be needed immediately after treatment to alleviate the mild sunburn effect from treatment.
Lasts: Two years
Cost: Thermage from £1,500 to £4,000
Where: Tel: 0044 870 243 2230. Accent: from £350. Tel: 0044 845 170 7788
