Overview of Nonsurgical Treatments
Everyone desires a healthy, fresh and glowing appearance. Unfortunately, over time, our appearance is progressively governed by factors like genetics, environmental damage and lifestyle choices that accelerate the visible rate of ageing. Even people in good health who lead an active life will ultimately notice changes in their facial features. Non-surgical treatments can achieve beautiful, natural-looking improvements that soften wrinkles, plump volume deficits, tighten the skin and reverse the effects of time.
Young patients can also benefit from non-invasive and minimally-invasive cosmetic treatments. A variety of procedures are available to help individuals meet their preferences for facial shapes, nose and lip contours, jaw angle, skin tone and skin clarity.
Different beauty ideals call for different techniques. At Asian Plastic Surgery and our partner clinic AF Aesthetics, we specialise in providing surgical and non-surgical treatments for patients of Asian heritage. Our specialist practitioners are well-versed in the unique characteristics of Asian skin, Asian anatomy and Asian aesthetic preferences and adapt procedures accordingly.
Benefits of Nonsurgical Treatments
Non-surgical treatments can be an excellent option for patients who are not ready or not suitable for surgical solutions. The benefits of a non-surgical approach include:
- In-office procedures
- No need for general anaesthesia
- Reduced discomfort
- Little to no downtime
- Fewer recovery restrictions
- Durable results
If you are not a candidate for any of the treatments outlined below, you may be a candidate for a surgical procedure with one of our specialist plastic surgeons.
Injectable Treatments
Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Anti-wrinkle injections are a non-surgical solution designed to preserve and restore a more youthful appearance. These products are used to treat dynamic lines in the upper face, including horizontal forehead lines, crow’s feet and vertical ‘11s’ between the eyebrows. They work by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for creating creases in the skin. In addition to their benefits as an anti-ageing treatment, these injections are also utilised to reshape and recontour the face. They are popular among Asian patients for their ability to reduce the bulk of the masseter muscles to thin the face and create a narrower, more feminine jawline.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injected just under the skin to plump up the tissue. After gaining an understanding of the areas you wish to enhance, your specialist practitioner will inject the filler into targeted areas. Fillers are used to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, diminish scarring, increase lip size, contour the face and more. For Asian patients, popular applications of dermal fillers include reshaping the chin and jawline for a more oval face shape, increasing projection in the mid-face, filling hollow temples, volumising the forehead and building the nasal bridge (a non-surgical or ‘liquid’ rhinoplasty).
Laser Treatments
PicoWay
Asian skin is prone to developing pigmentation issues — such as age spots, sun spots and melasma — caused by excessive melanin production. The PicoWay laser system is a powerful pigmentation removal treatment for Asian patients seeking a clearer, more even skin tone. PicoWay utilises ultra-short laser pulses that have a ‘photoacoustic’ effect rather than a photothermal (heating) effect. This technology keeps the skin at a safer temperature, thereby reducing the risk of side effects and limiting downtime after treatment. The laser travels through the skin layers to vaporise unwanted pigment while leaving the skin surface intact.
CO2RE
Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers have played important roles in the medical and aesthetic industries for decades. A CO2 laser can penetrate the skin deeply for the correction of various concerns, including wrinkles, sun damage, scarring, rough texture, uneven tone, reduced elasticity and large pores. CO2RE is a versatile laser system with different treatment modes to revitalise both the superficial and deeper dermal layers. CO2RE reduces the downtime associated with conventional resurfacing procedures, yet produces long-lasting improvements with as little as one treatment. CO2RE resurfacing is a safe solution for all skin types.
Vbeam
Vbeam is the gold standard for the treatment of diffuse redness, rosacea, dilated facial veins, broken capillaries and other vascular conditions. The light from the Vbeam laser is selectively absorbed by the haemoglobin found in red blood cells. This heats the blood, which in turn causes the walls of the blood vessel to narrow. Visible redness can be significantly reduced after a series of two to five short treatments. The Vbeam laser is very well tolerated thanks to a built-in cooling system, with a relatively short recovery period and an excellent safety profile for most skin types.
Energy Treatments
Profound
Profound is a minimally-invasive skin tightening procedure that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy. The device uses tiny microneedles to deliver radiofrequency energy in the form of heat directly into the skin’s deeper dermal level, where it triggers the production of new collagen and elastin fibres. The combination of microneedling and RF energy produces more significant skin remodelling than can be accomplished with either type of procedure individually. Profound treatments are most often performed around the cheeks and mouth, along the jawline to diminish jowls and on the neck. For patients with the right concerns and realistic expectations, Profound can act as a non-surgical alternative to a facelift.
Thermage
Thermage is a non-invasive treatment for skin tightening on the face and body. The device works by using radiofrequency energy to heat the dermis and stimulate collagen production. A Thermage treatment can yield subtle skin firming right away as it contracts existing collagen fibres, followed by more skin tightening and wrinkle smoothing as new collagen develops over time. One quick treatment with little to no downtime can deliver results that last one to two years. For the longest-lasting benefits, consider making Thermage an annual part of your skin rejuvenation maintenance regimen.
Secret RF
Secret RF is a fractional radiofrequency microneedling treatment. The device’s unique technology and adjustable microneedles can deliver heat energy into various layers of the skin, allowing providers to tailor treatments for a range of skin concerns and all skin types. It is well suited for patients who wish to refresh the appearance of their skin by minimising fine lines, wrinkles, photodamage like hyperpigmentation, acne scars and stretch marks. By kickstarting collagen development, Secret RF can also produce firmer, more supple and evenly toned skin over time. Improvements build with each successive session.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy targets areas beneath the skin surface with focused ultrasound energy. The Ultherapy system leverages traditional ultrasound imaging so providers can see the layers of tissue they are treating and go deeper than other non-invasive collagen stimulation treatments. This ensures the ultrasound energy is delivered to where it has the greatest positive effect. Ultherapy is commonly administered on the brow, on the neck and under the chin for skin tightening, but it can also improve lines and wrinkles on the chest. The treatment is safe for all skin types and tones, and most people can be candidates.
Accent Prime
Accent Prime combines technologies to reduce unwanted fat and tighten loose skin. The platform utilises ultrasound and radiofrequency to deliver highly customised body contouring treatments with natural, long-lasting results. Ultrasound energy is distributed throughout the treatment area, disrupting stubborn fat cells. RF energy is then used to heat the tissue for skin tightening and cellulite reduction. This unique blend of technologies reduces individual treatment time and total number of treatment sessions while yielding powerful results. With Accent Prime, it’s possible to sculpt a number of body areas, including areas that have previously been hard to treat.
Thread Lifting
A thread lift is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedure in which suture threads are inserted under the skin to reduce sagging in the brow area, under the eyes, in the mid-face, around the nasolabial folds and along the jawline. It is a less invasive approach than surgery, but a more invasive procedure than injectable fillers. A thread lift is sometimes referred to as a ‘lunchtime facelift.’ Although it can produce pleasing results for a suitable patient, anyone considering this procedure should be realistic about their expected results. A thread lift cannot achieve the same improvements as a surgical facelift.
Request More Information About Asian Non-Surgical Treatments
As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and loses the ability to ‘bounce back’ in the face of stressors. Lifestyle choices and sun damage take their toll, and a combination of diminishing muscle tone, fatty deposits and moisture leads to facial lines and sagging. It’s a natural life progression, but it can be delayed without the need for surgical intervention. Asian patients in all stages of life are increasingly seeking non-surgical cosmetic treatments. The specialist practitioners at Asian Plastic Surgery and AF Aesthetics utilise modern methods and innovative technologies to maximise each patient’s true potential.
To receive more information about the non-surgical treatments we offer in Sydney, contact Asian Plastic Surgery today on (02) 8985 9850.
