Ageing skin droops and develops wrinkles, lines and furrows.

The severity of these changes in an individual depends on genetic tendency, skin phototype and exposure to environmental factors.

Clinicians often use Glogau’s classification when describing these ageing changes.

How do facial lines and wrinkles form?

Facial lines and wrinkles (rhytides) form because of the following factors:

• Ageing processes
• Sun damage
• Muscle movement
• Gravity
• Injury
• Surgery
• Acne
• Other skin diseases with a tendency to scar (e.g. discoid lupus)
• Smoking

There is often a degree of asymmetry to the lines, as people tend to smile or frown more on one side than the other, or consistently sleep on the right or the left cheek.

Fine lines
Fine lines and wrinkles arise because of irregular thickening of the dermis (mid layer of skin) and because of a decrease in the amount of water held by the epidermis (skin surface). This is mainly caused by sun damage and exposure to environmental toxins particularly tobacco smoke.

Furrows
Deeper lines or furrows are classified as dynamic or static. Dynamic lines appear with movement i.e. the activity of facial muscles. Static lines are unchanged with muscle movement. Eventually dynamic lines become static.

• Crow’s feet around the eyes are due to smiling and activity of the eyelid muscles (orbicularis oculi).
• Worry lines on the forehead are due to contraction of the frontalis muscle when raising the eyebrows
• Frown lines between the eyebrows are due to contraction of corrugator supercilii muscles and procerus muscle when concentrating or angry

Facial lines and wrinkles

Sags and bags

Skin laxity or drooping is caused by several factors:

• A reduction of the fat cells under the skin (subcutaneous tissue)
• Loss of collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis reducing cutaneous strength and elasticity
• Gravity, which allows the lax tissue to sag

The result is:

• Brow ptosis (the forehead sags so the eyebrows drop over the eyelids, which then feel heavy)
• Eyelid ptosis (the upper eyelid drops, sometimes obscuring the pupil)
• Baggy upper and lower eyelids
• Sagging lower eyelids, revealing the reddened mucosal surface (ectropion)
• Hollow look to the eyes
• Tired-looking eyes with a prominent groove beside the nose (tear-trough deformity)
• Jowls (loss of jaw line)
• Loss of neckline
• Elongated earlobes
• Dropping of the tip of the nose
• Thinning of the upper lip

What treatment is available at Intimate You?

Remarkable changes in facial appearance can be obtained, giving a younger appearance and improving complexion. Often combinations of different cosmetic procedures are required for the best results.

It is most important to protect the skin from the sun life-long using sunscreens on exposed areas daily, and to avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke or other pollutants.

At Intimate You SmartXtide2 DOT/RF fractionated CO2 and radiofrequency resurfacing is used in expert hands to produce world class results.

In order to be treated, skin needs to have not been exposed to prolonged direct sunlight in the last 3 months to reduce the risk of post procedure hyperpigmentation.  Clients need to not be pregnant, less than 3 months postnatal or breastfeeding.

At an assessment consultation with one of our doctors, a full medical history including medication and allergies is taken followed by detailed examination and discussion of client’s wishes and expectations.

On the day of treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and prepared and topical anaeasthetic is applied to the area to be treated.   This takes around 45mins to take full effect, so making the treatment comfortable.  After treatment, the feeling is of mild sunburn for a few hours.  Cooling is provided to assist with this.

A full detailed aftercare plan is formulated and agreed with each client.  `This includes access to our 24h 365 days a year hotline to one of our doctors who is always on hand to advise.

Usually at least 2-3 treatments are needed at 6 week intervals.  All sun exposure is to be avoided for at least 3 months after the course of treatment and high factor sunscreen on a daily basis with shading is recommended long term to prolong the beneficial effects as far as possible.

BTL Exilis radiofrequency with its special facial probe can be used to lift and smooth the skin.  The treatment works to tighten and strengthen existing collagen and elastin whilst stimulating further new collagen production.

This treatment requires no anaesthetic and is painless, having the feeling of a warm massage.  It is a walk-in / walk-out treatment which requires no special skin preparation but still needs full medical history and examination.

A grounding pad is stuck onto the skin, usually on the upper back, and ultrasound gel is used whilst the probe is moved across the skin.  Treatment time depends on the number of areas being treated and there is no downtime afterwards.  Any minimal redness of the skin usually resolves within 30mins.

Some tightening and lifting is visible immediately and results continue to improve for at least 3 months after treatment.  Usually at least 4 treatments are needed at 1 week intervals.