Aging Gracefully

Top beauty treatments to make you look your best

By Jillian Chandler

No matter our age, we all desire that youthful glow. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including a well-balanced diet of highly nutritious foods, proper water intake for hydration, and exercise—is the most beneficial way to help us age gracefully, but some factors are out of our control. That’s when it’s time to seek help from the professionals. The Inland Northwest is home to first-class med spas, and their specialists are ready to listen to your concerns and address the best possible treatments—individualized to achieve the desired results. We can’t turn back the time on our age, but we sure can slow down and reverse the signs of aging. There’s no time like the present to restore that youthful glow.

Here are some of the most popular treatments at our med spas.

Botox

First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 to treat frown lines, it remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures on the market—and its popularity continues to climb.

Used for both cosmetic and therapeutic treatments, Botox, also referred to as Dysport or Xeomin, continues to be a popular treatment to reduce the signs of aging by reducing wrinkles while rejuvenating a maturing face. Botox is the injection of botulinum toxin into muscles and is used to improve the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet lines and frown lines between the eyebrows temporarily. The effects from Botox will last approximately three to six months as gradually, over time, muscle action returns, thus lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear.

Facial Peels

If you are looking to improve your skin’s texture and tone, improve superficial discoloration, reduce inflammation, and smooth fine lines, skin rejuvenation through facial peels is an effective option. Facial peels can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes—depending on the treated area. There are a variety of peels to choose from; the right one for you will be determined by evaluating your skin.

To prepare the skin for the peel, it is first cleansed. The chemical peeling solution is applied to one area at a time (you may experience a slight tingling sensation), and causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off—leaving you with new, regenerated skin.

Facial peels work on two levels: first, they remove the outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal fresh new skin, and then they penetrate deeply to prompt collagen production. This transforms skin at a cellular level and leaves it smooth and glowing. Skin will be sensitive after a facial peel, so limiting sun exposure during the peeling period and applying adequate sunscreen is important.

For optimal results, facial peels can be performed every three to four months, so three to four peels per year. Chemical peels can also be performed on the neck and hands.

Microneedling

If you are looking to tighten your skin, reduce wrinkles, and shrink your pores, you can expect ultimate results with microneedling. During a microneedling treatment, multiple tiny, sterile needles are used, creating controlled micro-injuries—puncturing the skin and causing physical trauma. This increases the production of collagen (an essential protein that helps keep the skin looking youthful with a smooth and supple texture) and additional healing factors, prompting a deeper layer of skin, the derma, to rebuild. This method can help with various skin issues, including wrinkles, scarring, acne, alopecia, skin pigmentation issues, stretch marks, rosacea, and loose skin.      

Results from microneedling are accelerated when platelet-rich plasma is used in conjunction with microneedling. For this process, a small amount of your blood is drawn, and the whole blood is separated from the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) rich in stem cells and growth factors. The platelet-rich plasma is rubbed on the surface of your face while microneedling and travels down the small channels created with microneedling. Once it reaches the dermis, it works to generate new collagen and elastin..

Microneedling can be repeated safely every four to six weeks until you achieve the desired results.

Dermal Fillers

Injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are temporary dermal or soft tissue fillers used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, facial folds, and to create structure, and improve the volume of the face and lips.

HA is found naturally throughout the body; the highest levels are found in the joints, eyes, and skin. Hyaluronic acid attracts water in the skin, allowing the skin to become more hydrated and elastic.

Often recommended for first-time patients, hyaluronic acid fillers are the most temporary option, lasting anywhere from six to 18 months. Many patients claim they see results almost immediately, though filler can take up to two weeks to settle fully.

If you’re looking to feel your best and look your best, there’s no time like the present.

It is important only to seek treatments from a licensed and trained professional. Consult with a specialist to ensure you achieve the results you desire. As with any form of treatment, there can be side effects or complications, so be sure to ask questions prior to any treatment/procedure.