What do you see when you look in the mirror – is it imperfections: lines and wrinkles, stretch marks and scars? We often have a unique beauty ideal, and sometimes a minor change can make you feel better.
Thanks to today’s terrific range of in-store products and new advanced tools used by cosmetic plastic surgeons and dermatologists, this can be done effectively.
We’ve put together a list of some of the most sought-after changes that may be possible with a product found at the pharmacy, or with a visit to a cosmetic plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Deep lines
With time, skin’s natural elasticity weakens and the production of collagen wanes. Mature skin can be affected by youthful errors such as sunbathing, poor diet and stress. In this more vulnerable state, everyday expressions – laughing, smiling, and frowning – chisel lines onto our faces, especially around the eyes and mouth.
From the pharmacy: While there’s no miracle product to erase deep lines, their appearance can be minimized by plumping up the skin with products such as 1 Nuxe Aroma-Vaillance Express Deep Wrinkle Filler Roll-on, formulated with hyaluronic spheres. Some foundations utilize the way light reflects off makeup ingredients to camouflage deep wrinkles; these include: 2 Revlon Age Defying Spa Foundation SPF 18 and 3 L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute Advanced Age-reversing Makeup.
In the doctor’s office: Non-surgical fillers are a good option. I tried them myself. For years, I focused on the two deep lines between my eyebrows. They seemed alien and I wanted them gone.
After a consultation with cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Mulholland, owner of SpaMedica in Toronto, I chose the filler route of Juvederm Voluma and Juvederm Refine, to fill in the distinct creases. Immediately, they looked 90% better; a touch of mineral makeup took care of the rest. It lasted about 8 months; I was extremely happy with the results. I plan on trying one of the new long-term fillers that use hyaluronic acid in their formulation. Results can last up to two years.
Crow’s feet
The fine lines that radiate from the corner of eyes toward temples can appear in the early 30s, depending on the amount of squinting, sun exposure and smoking. More prominent with aging as 1 to 2% of natural collagen is lost each year after menopause.
From the pharmacy: According to Dr. Benjamin Barankin, Dermatologist and Director of the Toronto Dermatology Centre, good moisturizing is helpful. Choose formulas with skin-boosting ingredients, such as ceramides, peptides, glycolic acid, various forms of Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
Some options include: 4 Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Firming Moisture SPF 20 day lotion (with copper tripeptide and glycerin) 5 dermaglow Radiance RX Perfecting Treatment moisturizer (with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a Vitamin C derivative) or 6 Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-aging Enhancing Lotion with UV Protection SPF 15 (with amino-peptide).
In the doctor’s office: Dr. Barankin sees great results with BOTOX: “It’s the best treatment since it deals with the root cause of crow’s feet, which is the dynamic movement of the area.” Coupled with fillers for deeper lines, laser resurfacing and chemical peels, lines soften and become less prevalent. Repeat treatments once or twice a year to maintain results.
Freckles and sun damage
Did you love the feeling of the sun on your skin along with the healthier-looking golden glow? If sunscreen wasn’t part of the equation, freckles and dark spots tell the tale today by leaving skin uneven and blotchy.
Hands and face are the most vulnerable to this kind of hyper-pigmentation.
From the pharmacy: Lighten dark spots with products like 7 NeoStrata HQ Lightening Gel with the skin-bleaching agent hydroquinone. See results in three to four weeks if applied faithfully twice a day.
In the doctor’s office: Most over-the-counter preparations contain 2 1/2 to 4% hydroquinone, while physician-strength treatments contain 8%. Retin-A (topical Vitamin A), TCA, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid or kojic acid peels are other options that use chemical exfoliation to slowly slough away dark spots.
Dr. Mulholland has successfully used intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, or FotoFacials, a controlled thermal stimulation on the skin, to remove unwanted dark pigment, small blood vessels and uncover healthier, smooth cells. IPL also shrinks pores.
“It’s like putting a noose around the pore and tightening it,” he explains.
Dark under-eye circles
Sleepless nights and stress may contribute to these dark circles, but if predetermined by genetics, they’re difficult to eliminate completely. New cosmetic products and physician treatments can give the ‘just-back-from-vacation’ appearance.
From the pharmacy: Help make circles less obvious with moisturizers especially formulated for the eye area, such as 8 Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eyes Roll-on or 9 L’Oréal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse Eye, conceal dark circles while hydrating delicate skin with 10 Rimmel London Recover. Avoid shimmery eye shadows, they highlight imperfections.
In the doctor’s office: First, determine if allergies, visible veins or genetics are the cause. Treat dark under-eye pigmentation with fading creams containing Vitamin C, retinol, or retinaldehyde, according to Dr. Barankin. “If there’s a hollowing under the eyes, a ’tear trough deformity,’ which occurs with age and/or heredity, fillers like Juvederm or Restylane will get rid of the shadow effect,” he says. Lasers around the eyes may help, if there is freckling in the area.”
