It is the beginning of a new year and a new decade.
Unfortunately, it is that time of the year that we again think about how we are all ageing. As I reflect over the last ten years, there has been a significant paradigm shift in the cosmetic landscape with many of the more recent aesthetic trends in complete contradiction to what I previously practised.
Cosmetic surgery has come out of the shadows and into broad daylight with the internet and social media spotlighting and making it more socially acceptable.
The American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) found that in 2018, 72 per cent of facial plastic surgeons saw an increase in injectables or cosmetic surgery for patients under the age of 30.
Patients are starting their cosmetic journey way younger and realising that a little goes a long way. People want to look good now when they are young and at their peak rather than to try to repair aesthetic defects later. By making small improvements regularly – even 20 per cent per time – one can keep looking younger for longer and delay surgery for much later when it is needed.
Patients in their late 30s to early 40s are looking to “prejuvenate” – to maintain a youthful appearance rather than to try fix defects once ageing has become noticeable
Imagine that you keep a folded piece of paper in your pocket. You take it out daily, numerous times, unfold it, fold it back and place it back in your pocket. Eventually, the creases in the paper are permanent, deep, etched in and much harder to smooth out, just like the creases on your face from smiling, scowling, frowning, laughing and smoking.
Prejuvenation is the noninvasive treatment that slows the ageing process (descent, deflation and deterioration), rather than correcting it later. It aims to tighten skin, replace volume, treat dynamic lines and improve skin quality. It is no wonder that Botulinus neurotoxin is the single most popular cosmetic procedure doctors perform today. . Millennials are turning toward preventive measures even earlier for many reasons.
There is no right age; do things when you need it. It is easier, less complicated, and cheaper to do something sooner than wait for an acceptable time later.
The “Kardashian Phenomena” has made cosmetic surgery culturally and socially acceptable. Patients want to be the best that they can be; they want to feel good mentally and look good physically. If a person thinks that they look good, then it can contribute to an overall feeling of well being.
Unlike previous generations seeking improvement, millennials want facial movement and a more natural look – so less is more. At Precision Aesthetics, we strive to attain balance, symmetry, proportion and smooth transition zones. Although high cheek bones and a beautiful jawline are attractive, all features need to be in harmony with the rest of the face.
Innovative technological advancements using Laser, RF (Radio Frequency) and Ultrasound have again pushed back the parameters of ageing as there are now energy devices that create enough heat in the skin that can cause the skin to shrink. Individual patients in their 30s and 40s, or even early 50s, may not be ready for a neck or facelift, so these technologies equip us to maintain the face for many years to come.
Thermage is one such treatment, a non-invasive RF tightening procedure used at Precision Aesthetics that sends radiofrequency energy into the deep layers of the skin to promote collagen growth and make the skin firmer
PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cells are all the rage. There is no safer method than using one’s natural Growth Factors (GF) and stem cells to enhance skin health and prevent ageing. Although the jury is still out about how effective these treatments are, many patients have derived benefit when combining this with micro-needling “the Vampire Facelift” in several new treatn=ments.
Prevention is more important than cure and this is evident in how Millenials – the “Wellness Generation”- are living. They highly value mental and physical well-being and are eating more healthily, exercising more, smoking less and using technology to do all of these things. They believe in Prejuvention: using noninvasive treatments that slow the ageing process, rather than correcting it later.
That means drinking plenty of water, concentrating on your everyday skin-care routine, and focusing on long-term maintenance like facials, quality products with active ingredients, and, most importantly, daily Sunblock…