For a little extra help, more women are turning to cosmetic surgery and the many state of the art non-surgical face treatments to reverse the signs of ageing. Chemical and laser peels, microdermabrasion, fillers and muscle-relaxing injectables are amongst the most common and effective high- tech anti-ageing treatments available.

Chemical and laser peels
Using gentle acids to remove the outer layers of the skin, chemical peels are a safe and effective way to freshen the skin, remove sunspots, blemishes and dry patches as well as fine wrinkles. The skin may look a little red immediately after a session and they are most suitable for women who simply want to smooth out imperfections and achieve a more radiant complexion. Laser peels have also been developed to improve skin texture and tone as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines. They work by stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers without disrupting the skin’s surface. Like the chemical peels, the results are subtle and you will be able to carry on normal activities immediately after a session.

Microdermabrasion
Micordermabrasion is an excellent treatment to make the skin look immediately younger and more radiant. Crystals are directed at the skin and usually removed with a vacuum-like process working to clean the pores and stimulate new collagen growth. It is particularly effective for treating acne scarring, fine lines, sun damage and enlarged pores. The results are progressively more noticeable after each treatment with most women opting for between 4 and 8 sessions with approximately 2 week intervals.

Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. They are also particularly successful at treating acne and chicken pox scarring as well as filling out scars left after surgery. Collagen, derived from cattle skin, was the first injectable to be used but there are now many longer lasting non-animal derived alternatives, including products containing hyaluronic acid, such as; Restylane, Perlane and Hylaform. Injectable treatments can only be administered by doctors and nurses in a simple, virtually painless procedure. You are usually able to return to work immediately afterwards. As there are new fillers becoming available all the time, be sure to check that the one you choose has been suitably tested. A few treatments are often required to achieve noticeable results.

Muscle relaxing injections
Muscle relaxing injections, like the well-documented treatment Botox, are a safe and effective method of reducing lines and wrinkles by ‘freezing’ the muscles in the area being treated. They usually take up to 5 days to take effect and the results can last between 3 to 6 months. The treatment can be uncomfortable with a stinging sensation as the injection is performed and in a small percentage of cases there can be side effects. These include a mild weakness or paralysis of the eyelid or brow resulting in a drooping of the eyelid or brow lasting for a few weeks. Headaches, numbness or bruising may also be experienced but are uncommon. Women are advised not to massage the area treated or to take exercise for up to 4 hours after the injection and to remain upright in order to limit the spread of the muscle relaxing injection from the area being treated.

The cosmetic use of muscle relaxing injections to reduce lines and wrinkles is not licensed in the UK. However, it has been safely used for several years off licence and is licensed for clinical uses such as cervical dystonia and blepherospasm where it has been used from more than a decade.