We’re guessing your New Year’s resolution has something to do with your appearance – a recent study by pharmaceutical company Allergan Australia found nearly 70 per cent of women feel they’re under more pressure than men to look younger. But instead of chasing the fountain of youth, make 2017 about celebrating the best version of yourself today (yes, in present time, even with a few spots and wrinkles). That doesn’t mean you have to eschew the derm office altogether – we’ve rounded up the latest professional treatments guaranteed to boost your confidence (and relieve a bit of that unnecessary pressure).
Don’t sweat it
If sweating makes you self-conscious, relax: Man Cave Sydney founder Dr Sara Kotai uses MiraDry to reduce persistent perspiration. “It’s the only method for permanent sweat reduction,” she says. “It’s similar to laser hair removal, but targets sweat glands. You have a finite number of sweat glands, so when they’re gone, they’re gone for good.” While you still need some glands to regulate temperature, patients on average experience about an 80 per cent reduction in sweat – enough to finally bring out those silk blouses. For a more temporary solution, Kotai suggests getting Botox in the underarms, which lasts about six months.
Get glowing
Fillers are known for their ability to add volume, but now they can create a healthy glow, too. A new injection technique using a cannula fans a light layer of filler under the skin to boost hydration for natural radiance. “By injecting a fine blanket of thin filler into the dermis of the face we can create an instant dewy glow,” says Natalie Abouchar, founder of Privée Clinic, which offers the treatment. “Hyaluronic acid fillers attract water to the skin surface, increasing hydration.” There’s also the bonus of a smoother complexion – the filler plumps tiny lines, acne scars and “orange peel” skin. And thanks to a local anaesthetic, it’s more or less pain-free, and there’s no downtime (minus the seconds it takes to conceal a few tiny bruises that may pop up at the insertion site). With the results lasting six months, it’s a novel way to turn around a lacklustre complexion in just minutes.
Zap scars and stretch marks
Unwanted marksLumenis
“The non-ablative laser creates tiny pinpoint dots that penetrate deep down for collagen stimulation,” says Kotai. “Scar tissue and stretch marks have limited blood supply, so the laser points bring blood back to the area, which gets growth factors and stem cells working to smooth uneven colour and texture.” Four to six treatments are generally required and Kotai is “gobsmacked” by the results.
Lighten up
It’s now possible to double down on the skin-perfecting results of Omnilux with the addition of an IV vitamin drip. Melbourne and Sydney’s Duquessa clinic offers VitaLite, a dual treatment that boosts collagen with the LED light therapy while delivering revitalising vitamins intravenously (by bypassing the digestive system, cells absorb up to 90 per cent of the nutrients). There are a few vitamin cocktails available, but the vitamin C tonic is particularly great for the complexion, says director Katherine Millar-Shannon. “Vitamin C helps to produce collagen, boosts skin cell rejuvenation and allows the skin to repair and hydrate.”
*This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of ELLE Australia.
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