Dr. Reddy Reveals 2014’s Aesthetic Medicine Trendscape
If the first quarter of 2014 has proven anything, then it’s that the global anti-aging market shows no signs of slowing down. In 2012, the total global market for anti-aging products and services was valued at $249.3 billion and projected to increase to $345.8 billion in 2018.
“The key factors driving this growth are the aging global population and the explosion in non-invasive anti-aging treatments that have a low risk profile, require little to no downtime and are becoming increasingly affordable to more and more people,” explained Dr. Anushka Reddy, owner of Medi-Sculpt and President of the South African Association of Cosmetic Doctors (SAACD).
In February 2014, Dr. Reddy presented on the subject of avoiding dermal filler complications to fellow aesthetic medicine practitioners at the globally renowned congress, the International Master Course on Aging Skin (IMCAS), in Paris.
Drawing on her observations from IMCAS and her own ongoing experience in her local chain of Medi-Sculpt aesthetic clinics, Dr. Reddy has identified what she believes will be the top anti-aging treatment trends in 2014.
Dermal Fillers & Botox®
These two staples will continue to dominate medical aesthetics, both as standalone procedures and as part of more complex, customised facial sculpting treatments.
Dermal fillers comprising either naturally-derived (most commonly hyaluronic acid) or synthetic materials are injected into wrinkles to fill them, or into areas of the face to plump those up and lift corresponding areas. For example, plumping the cheeks can result in lifting of jowls. Fillers deliver immediate results but these are temporary and usually last between 12 to 18 months. Advances in fillers mean that many are now also able to stimulate collagen production.
Botulinum toxin or Botox® causes temporary muscle paralysis in the treatment area, smoothing out lines and preventing the formation of new wrinkles. Botox® is especially effective in the forehead and brow areas and around the eyes. It can take up to two weeks before full results are visible and these may last between three and six months.
Skin Rejuvenation
A few years back the very notion that it might be possible to reverse the signs of aging, would have raised even the most heavily Botoxed brow. Now, thanks to advances in techniques that correct skin on a cellular level, like chemical peels, laser resurfacing and micro-needling, doctors are able to do exactly that.
Unsurprisingly, skin rejuvenation is a hugely popular trend and not just among those who would reverse the signs of aging, but also among younger women who prefer to prevent visible aging from occurring at all.
Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which works to exfoliate or peel away the layers of damaged skin. This treatment is especially effective for mild sun damage, pigmentation or scarring and also to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Options range from light to deep chemical peels, with varying degrees of resulting redness, recovery times and duration of results. A deep chemical peel may yield results that last as long as 10 years.
Laser resurfacing employs the use of a pulsating laser beam to remove the outer, damaged skin layer, while simultaneously heating the dermis to stimulate healing and the growth of new collagen fibers. Dependent on the type and intensity of the laser treatment, recovery time ranges from five days to two weeks, during which time patients experience varying degrees of peeling and redness. Most patients report continuing improvements for months and as much as a year after treatment.
Micro-needling is a collagen induction therapy. This technique uses an electric skin-needling device to needle various areas on the face. This has the effect of stimulating healing in that area, resulting in new skin cells and increased collagen production. It is especially effective for breaking down old scar tissue, tightening and lifting skin and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure requires no downtime and redness typically disappears within 12 to 48 hours. Desired results are frequently achieved after just one treatment, while scars may require several treatments.
The Liquid Facelift
Facial augmentation, better known as the liquid facelift, is continuing to gain popularity and for good reason. Via a customised combination of dermal fillers, Botox® and skin rejuvenation techniques, doctors can deliver the kind of results previously available only to those willing to go under the knife.
A skilled doctor can perform nose and chin corrections, cheek volumising and improve jawline definition by coupling a series of non-invasive procedures. The results are long-lasting but nevertheless temporary, which for many women is frankly preferable to the permanence of plastic surgery.
Up and Coming Trends
Dr. Reddy says she foresees great things for a new treatment protocol for acne scarring, known as “subcision.” Doctors administer this treatment by using a needle to break the fibrous bands beneath the skin that cause the scar. By breaking the bands, the skin releases and the result is smoother looking skin. Dr. Reddy’s own technique sometimes combines the use of dermal fillers in the area beneath the scar, to improve hydration and boost the collagen production process.
If you’re seeking a solution for unsightly skin pigmentation, and can get past the unlikely name, Crystal Tomato® tablets could be just the thing for you. This one-a-day tablet employs colourless carotenoids in a formula that inhibits the production of melanin (responsible for skin pigment), reduces the amount of existing melanin, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and acts as a natural sunscreen. The net result is the overall lightening of skin colour and a notable reduction in the appearance of pigmentation.
“If I’ve learned anything about medical aesthetics, then it’s that everything can and does change in the blink of an eye. All it takes is one breakthrough treatment like Botox®, to completely revolutionise the face of the anti-aging industry and change the face of the world,” concluded Dr. Reddy.
