At About Face Aesthetics, we believe aging is a gift. Every day we’re alive is something to celebrate. If you’ve gotten the chance to form cherished memories and relationships, how can you feel anything other than positivity about whatever your age may be?
However, you’ve probably been told (subliminally or otherwise) for your entire life that aging is a bad thing, that “youth” is the end-all-be-all, that if you’re not “young” you aren’t attractive or desirable. (I know I’ve been using under eye creams marketed for fine lines and wrinkles since I was in high-school. Why?!)
Our experts want to remove the stigma associated with getting older and help you create your most confident self. Continue reading to learn about the ways people’s appearances change with age and how our top treatments for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia can help. If you’re ready to speak with one of our skin specialists, give us a call, or schedule your consultation to get started.
How does our skin change with age?
Though our appearance may change as we get older, our experts want to assure you that the aging process is nothing to be ashamed or scared of! In fact, educating yourself about these changes helps you identify solutions so you can feel more confident in your reflection all along.
Here’s a brief overview of how our skin evolves with time.
Thinning
Are you feeling as though your skin has become fragile (or translucent)? As time goes by, the body produces less collagen (the protein that provides the skin with structure and support). Collagen is vital for giving skin a taut, healthy appearance.
Collagen production begins to slow down in our 20’s and early 30’s, and during this process, the skin can start to appear crepey and thin as it loses the structure and firmness underneath.
It’s natural to create less collagen with time, but the following lifestyle factors can also impact its production:
- Smoking – Cigarettes, pipes, vaping, etc. all damage existing collagen and constrict blood vessels near the skin’s surface to slow wound healing.
- Excessive alcohol consumption – Damages the skin’s repair mechanisms and reduces collagen production.
- Vitamin deficiencies – Not getting enough vitamin C in your regular diet can contribute to low collagen levels.
- Poor eating habits – Consuming high amounts of sugar and refined carbs can weaken collagen proteins.
- Unprotected sun exposure – Too much sunlight stunts collagen production. UV rays can also create wrinkles.
- Excessive caffeine consumption – Drinking too much caffeine can reduce the body’s ability to create collagen.
Brown Spot Formation
Age spots, also known as “liver spots” or “sun spots,” form as small, dark areas on the skin. These spots consist of excess melanin, the substance that gives the skin its pigment.
Excessive UV exposure without proper sun protection creates age spots. These spots may appear on the face or other sun-exposed areas and can range in size from a pencil-dot to a quarter. You’re more likely to develop brown spots if you:
- Have pale or light skin
- Have a history of severe sunburns
- Spend a lot of time in direct sunlight
- Use tanning beds
Don’t take protective measures against sun damage EVERY SINGLE DAY
Sagging
Just like collagen, our skin needs elastin to look and function optimally, and our natural production of this also slows down with time.
As one of the most abundant proteins in the body, elastin helps the skin stretch and contract. But as elastin and collagen production decrease with age, it can cause the skin to droop in the following areas:
- Eyelids
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Throat
- Jawline
Hyaluronic acid (HA) also plays a role in skin health. As a molecule that helps the skin retain moisture, hyaluronic acid makes your features appear fuller and more youthful. Your skin’s hyaluronic acid content can start decreasing as early as 20 years old, and with enough time, leads to a noticeable decrease of facial volume.
Aesthetic Treatments for Confidence at Every Age
Though aging is a beautiful process, it’s normal to feel self-conscious when you no longer recognize your reflection in the mirror. We are here to help you feel confident and beautiful, and enhance all the things that make you, you.
We recommend including the following treatments for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia in your pro-aging routine.
Thermage
As a non-invasive treatment option for skin tightening, our experts consider Thermage to be the ultimate non-surgical facelift alternative.
Thermage delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy into the deepest layers of your skin to activate collagen growth. This reaction creates a tightening effect that firms the skin for immediate results. (Thermage also gently vibrates and cools the surface of the skin, ensuring you have a comfortable treatment experience from start to finish.)
Our experts love Thermage because it revitalizes skin without surgery, needles, or downtime! Most patients notice improvements right after completing their treatment plan, but results continue developing in the following 2 to 6 months.
Treatment Process
During your Thermage treatment for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia, we will deliver controlled pulses of radiofrequency heat to the skin. You may feel a brief heating sensation once the device’s tip touches your skin, followed by a cooling sensation to minimize discomfort.
You may experience mild redness or swelling after treatment, but these side effects typically subside in the following 24 hours.
One of the best things about Thermage is that you only need one session to achieve maximum benefit, and it can be used for the entire body; neck, arms, tummy, knees, buttocks. If it’s wobbly, Thermage can help. Thermage gets great results, but cannot stop the time from turning. Most of our Thermage clients prefer to get this treatment once a year for maintenance and to stimulate as much collagen production as their body possibly can.
Sculptra
Searching for a simple way to restore volume to your whole face? Sculptra injections are changing the injectable game, helping you create firm, youthful, glowing skin for years to come.
As a biostimulatory injectable, Sculptra contains a poly-L-lactic acid that helps increase the natural production of collagen. Whereas regular dermal fillers simply add volume to one targeted area with a hyaluronic-acid jelly, Sculptra restores your skin’s foundation by gradually replenishing lost collagen throughout your entire face.
We recommend using Sculptra for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia to address the following aesthetic concerns:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Volume loss
- Sunken cheeks
- Smile lines
- Jowling
- Crepey decolletage
The best part about Sculptra? These injections deliver results for at least 2 years, serving as one of the longest-lasting (and most natural) injectables on the market.
Treatment Process
During your Sculptra injection session, your provider will identify the most beneficial areas to treat based on your anatomy and desired outcome. After thoroughly cleansing the area, your provider will begin the process. (Depending on the areas being treated, we may apply a topical numbing cream or administer lidocaine to make everything as comfortable as possible for you.)
Most Sculptra sessions take 30 to 45 minutes to complete. We may recommend a series of 2 to 4 sessions, depending on the specific areas you want to target and your body’s response to treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) serves as the perfect solution for patients wanting to clear sun damage, brown spots, or hyperpigmentation.
During an IPL treatment, the light waves from the device are converted into heat energy that damage and eliminate the area of pigmentation. The pigmentation cells absorb this heat and are destroyed, creating a clearer, youthful complexion.
At the same time, IPL also stimulates collagen and elastin production, targeting these additional aesthetic concerns:
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Rosacea
- Uneven skin tone
- Acne scars
Treatment Process
Before your IPL treatment for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia, your provider cleanses your skin to remove any leftover makeup, dirt, and debris from within your pores. Depending on the device being used for your skin, we may apply a topical numbing cream to help increase the comfortability of the treatment.
Next, your provider delivers quick flashes of broad-spectrum light to your skin. You may feel a warming or snapping sensation during your treatment.
To finish, your provider applies skincare products to soothe and heal the skin. Your treated brown-spots may appear darkened after treatment, but they typically flake off in the following days.
Our skin experts typically complete IPL treatment sessions in 15 to 30 minutes. We usually recommend a series of 3 treatments, but this could vary depending on the size of your treatment area and severity of your symptoms.
How to Determine Which Treatment Best Suits Your Needs
Let’s face it: Finding the right treatment for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia may be a challenge on your own! It requires extensive knowledge of skin science and the mechanisms of certain devices.
Fortunately, our skin specialists are here to serve you. We only exist to help people feel good about themselves, no matter their age. Scheduling a consultation with one of our experts can ensure your needs are matched with the right aging skin treatments.
During your consultation, we will listen carefully as you describe how you perceive your appearance to have changed over time. We want to take a deep dive into your specific concerns so that we can best identify the solutions to create the best results.
Using the information from your consultation, we will work together to develop your personalized treatment plan. You will always be encouraged to ask any and all questions you have about the treatment process.
You’re Beautiful, at Every Age
Having a positive outlook on aging can help you enjoy life’s most beautiful moments, but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong to care about how you look. We want to help you love yourself at every stage, and with top-of-the-line treatments for skin rejuvenation in Philadelphia, being your age has never felt better.
The power to take control of how you look is here for the taking. Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your appointment to learn more.
Want to uncover our best facial treatment for aging skin? Head over to our blog for the inside scoop.
