Wrinkles are one of the most obvious signs of aging, yet they can be reduced.
Collagen and elastin form the structural support below the surface of skin. When people are young, their collagen and elastin are thick and strong. This cushions skin, making it tight and elastic. Unfortunately, as the years go by, collagen weakens. This causes skin to sag and collapse, forming wrinkles.
Retin-A (tretinoin) is the only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles. It is a prescription cream that reduces both large wrinkles and fine lines, such as the crow’s feet at the corner of eyes. It also repairs photodamage. The ultraviolet in direct sunlight is one of the major stresses that damage collagen.
Other possible treatments include Botox. After an injection, the muscle just underneath a wrinkle relaxes, allowing the skin above to lie smooth. Getting treated by a massage therapy school, Chicago, may help firm up flabby skin.
For eliminating fat, you have three noninvasive medical options: ultrasound, cyrolipolysis and RF energy.
Ultrasound energy is focused on layers of adipose, fatty tissue. The intense concentration of ultrasound damages the fat cells, and the body gradually re-absorbs them. The ultrasound energy is aimed very precisely. The skin above the layer of fat and the tissue below it are not affected.
Cyrolipolysis is a way of using controlled cooling to destroy fat cells without affect skin. Adipose tissue is cooled to 4 degrees Celcius. This triggers a local inflammatory response, that gradually reduces the number of fat cells. It is particularly effect for use in specific locations to contour the patient’s body.
RF energy can also be aimed at fat cells to kill them through concentrated heat without affecting any other part of the body. The equipment does not even touch the skin, and each treatment takes only 30 minutes.
Just as with wrinkles, loose skin is caused by reduced collagen and elastin. Fortunately, there are infrared and laser treatments available to tighten skin by stimulating the production of new collagen.
Another clear sign of aging is skin hyperpigmentation. This is where skin pigment takes on a mottled appearance. Or it includes age spots, also known as liver or brown spots. These conditions can be treated with laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments. These are done in the doctor’s often and can work faster than applying a cream. Again, somebody trained by an esthetics school Chicago can help with this.
As people age, their skin cells lose moisture. Rough, dry, cracked, chapped and flaky skin doesn’t look or feel good, and indicates the skin cells need hydration. Doctors can user lasers such as the Fraxel and Nd:YAG to heat the collagen, stimulating production of new collage and improving skin texture.
Experts from an esthetics school Chicago can also help with a common skin problem, acne. Sometimes hormonal changes cause skin to produce excess oil, clogging pores and increasing inflammation.
Antibiotics can help by killing the excess of skin bacteria present in acne cases. Solodyn contains the antibiotic minocycline, but releases it in continuous low doses. MinocinPac combines minocycline with a product to calm skin.