Fillers OR HIFU Facelift? Which one is best?

Loss of firmness and wrinkles are something that we all have to deal with as we age. A facelift can help improve the appearance of these issues but not everyone is ready for a surgical procedure because it is expensive and it carries risks with it as well as the concern that it doesn’t look natural. Fillers and HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) facelift are two treatment options that improve the appearance of signs of ageing without the need for surgery. The two procedures use different methods and technologies to improve their appearance. Generally, a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can help you determine which is right for you.

Fillers

Fillers are a wide range of treatments that are injected into the outer layers of the skin to help plump and smooth the complexion. One of the most common types of fillers uses hyaluronic acid, a substance made naturally by the body that attracts and binds moisture to the skin, but there are others as well that are longer-term or even permanent. The long-term or permanent fillers have risks that can be a challenge, but many cosmetic surgeons choose to use them.

If your main concern is fine lines and wrinkles, especially deep expression lines, fillers are one of the most effective treatment options. They are especially effective for smoothing the appearance of lines on the forehead, furrows between the brows, laugh lines around the mouth and crow’s feet around the eyes. Fillers require no topical anaesthesia or downtime so they are perfect for anyone who does not have time to recover from a cosmetic procedure.

The results of fillers can be seen immediately after the treatment. Skin will appear plumper and smoother with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. Depending on which type of filler is performed, the results can last between six months and two years. To maintain the results of fillers, you will only have to come in for treatments once or twice a year.

HIFU Facelift

If you are looking for a completely non-invasive procedure, HIFU may be the best option for you. Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to improve signs of ageing. The device delivers ultrasound waves that heat collagen within the skin and break it down. This encourages the body’s natural response to stimulate the production of new collagen. The result is firmer and tighter skin that looks more youthful.

HIFU is a good treatment option if your main concern is the loss of firmness and loose, lax skin. This can often be seen as drooping in the cheeks and jawline as well as folds around the nose and mouth. HIFU helps tighten loose skin by stimulating collagen below the surface of the complexion to restore youthful skin from the inside out.

HIFU treatments are often longer than filler treatments as the actual procedure takes between 60 and 90 minutes depending on which areas are being treated versus minutes for a filler procedure. There is no downtime following the treatment and while there may be some slight discomfort during the procedure or bruising, this is temporary and does not last long. The results are seen gradually over the course of three to six months following the treatment and patients generally require two to three treatments to see the full results. The results of Ultherapy last longer than fillers and patients only need to come in for treatments every 9 to 12 months.

Because HIFU facelift does not add volume to the skin, it is not as successful on its own. Unlike fillers which add volume to the skin, sagging will only be mildly improved with HIFU. Many times, professionals suggest a combination of treatments including HIFU, fillers and BOTOX to see the best results.

Your concern about whitening drips and what doctors say?

Before you sign up for any aesthetic treatment or any procedure it is advisable that you discuss all your concerns with your doctor or a medical specialist who is supervising the treatment. Understanding what the whitening drip contains, what is its mode of action and what side effects you can expect fro it can help your anxiety before the treatment. Here are some frequently asked questions that people ask to express their concerns regarding whitening drips and their answers by doctors.

 

Q1) Are whitening drips an attempt to whitewash the world?

It’s understandable that some might take offend from any sort of whitening treatment, after all, we should be comfortable in our skin. However, on this day, opinions about such sensitive topics are more fluid and it is encouraged that skin lightening treatments should be seen as a personal choice and no differently from skin tanning. Its human nature to want what they do not have, white people suntan, spray or take several other treatments to have skin tone similar to Asians, while in most Asian cultures lighter skin tone is more desirable. The only thing we should be concerned about is the intensity of possible side effects or medical complications. 

Q2) How safe are these drips?

The answer to this question greatly depends upon where you are getting the drip. A certified doctor will use drips from the only authentic brand and administer them after ensuring that you are not intolerant to any of the ingredients. A doctor will rule out certain medical conditions and drugs that can interact with the components of the drip before approving the whitening drip for you. The safety of these drips has not to be established for pregnant women, therefore a doctor will never administer this drip if you are or could be pregnant.

Q3) What are the possible side effects of this treatment?

Depending upon the type of drip, you may experience different kinds of side effects but all of those should subside in a day or two. Like most drips, you should expect some mild at the spot of needle insertion and more frequent bowel movements. You must keep in mind that there is no one formula for these whitening drips, some clinic offers a mix of vitamin-rich drips, some drips are predominantly vitamin C and others may have glutathione. The dosage of vitamins and antioxidants may vary across the drips. Since taking vitamins that your body is not deficient on, or vitamins in a higher dosage than recommended can actually harm your body.

Q4) How soon after the drip I will see a difference in my skin tone?

Your body will feel better hydrated to some degree, immediately after the drip and due to vitamins, you will feel more energetic. However, a significant difference in skin tone will come gradually. You should have realistic expectations, it’s not a magic pill that you pop and you are snow white. You might have to take 3 to 12 drip sessions, and wait for around four to six months before you can see a noticeable change in your skin tone. This greatly depends upon your skin tone, physical health and the components of drip, therefore it is recommended you should discuss this beforehand with your doctor to avoid any disappointments.

If you have any further queries book your consultation appointment with Dr. Terence at Pinnacle Figure aesthetic clinic. He does not push you to get treatments that you do not need and make recommendations based upon their professional qualifications and years of experience. Services offered at the clinic are of international standards and the usual charge half the market price. The ethical practices and friendly staff is the reason the brand has grown so quickly in popularity.

Mesotherapy Injections, the pain, and the gain

Mesotherapy is quickly growing popular treatment for skin rejuvenation and other benefits. Some local spas and salons are also offering this therapy and marketing it as vampire facial. Despite the popularity of the treatment, there is still a great mystery around the topic. Here are some relevant question answered for your better understanding of the topic.

What are the benefits of mesotherapy injections?

Since mesotherapy is able to deliver nutrients, minerals, multivitamins, antioxidants directly under the skin layer where they are very easily absorbed, it has several benefits. There is no FDA approved formula for mesotherapy so your doctor can customise a mix of FDA approved components according to your problem and goals.  In terms of precision and targeted treatment, it is next to laser therapy and fillers. The nutrients can be selectively injected directly under the problematic area. It can help your skin through nourishment, hydration, improvement of the blood circulation and stimulating collagen production. The main goal is facial skin rejuvenation and it helps by reducing wrinkles, fading away marks, spots and scars. It is sometimes paired with PRP, which is platelet-rich plasma therapy. In PRP, platelets are extracted from your own blood and are injected under your facial skin through micro-needling in higher concertation.

How much the injections hurt?

 Mesotherapy Injections is a mildly invasive non-surgical aesthetic procedure that can be done in clinical settings. Since nutrients will be delivered underneath your skin layer by puncturing tiny holes in your skin with the help of very fine needles, you should be mentally prepared for slight pain, bleeding and inflammation. It is done after applying a numbing creme or local anaesthesia, however, it is not completely painless. The intensity of reported pain experienced varies from patient to patient depending upon their pain tolerance, however, if administered correctly by a qualified and experienced doctor you should not experience a pain that is unmanageable or intolerable. You should also expect to feel a little soreness or discomfort, redness and inflammation for a short while after the treatment is administered but these are usual side-effects and will subside after a while. Your skin should return to normal in a day or two if any bruise or inflammation persists afterwards consult your doctor.

How soon the results will be visible?

As nutrients are being injected under your skin where they are readily absorbed by your skin layers, you will be able to see an immediate difference. As the inflammation subsides, results will become more visible. You will be able to see the full impact of injections within two to three weeks as this is the time nutrients need to help nourish and heal your skin.

How much it will cost?

That greatly depends upon where you chose to get it from. Some local spas are offering this treatment at a much cheaper rate but it’s a great health hazard because they do not have qualified doctors at their pannel who can give consultancy for these medical procedures. Any accidental mistake or carelessness or lack of knowledge can have serious health consequences. It is better to pay more to a qualified doctor or aesthetician who has the right set of training and skills to safely administer the treatment. You can ask around for most pocket-friendly doctors and clinic or receive a quote from Pinnacle Figure aesthetic centre as they are known for providing international standard services at half the price.