This Informative Blog Post intends to help you understand the basis of Regenerative Aesthetics which builds upon the ideology of stimulating your own production of collagen & cellular turnover through treatment to ultimately re-vitalises your skin from inside to out. Our ethos & treatments have been scientifically validated with the means of understanding the regenerative process of the body & using these to make you look & feel younger. This idea also applies to other conditions apart from ageing such as: Acenic Skin, Hyper-Pigmentation, Skin Refinement & more by regulating the bodies current reactions your internal & environmental factors. 

Your skin changes as you age. You might notice wrinkles, age spots, oily and even dryness. Your skin also becomes thinner (crepey) as fat, fibrin and collagen are depleted, making it less plump and smooth. The first visible signs of skin aging is usually rhytides and then wrinkles.

Wrinkles or Rhytides?

There exists a subtle difference in the distinction between wrinkles and rhytides. Rhytides are fine lines which appear in areas of motion (dynamic), while wrinkles (static) are the deeper folds or creases and usually set in after dynamic rhytides.

Static vs. Dynamic Rhytides/Wrinkles

Regardless of where rhytides/wrinkles occur on the face and body, they can be divided into two general categories:

• Dynamic rhytides or wrinkles can develop in zones of repetitive movements, facial expressions, or habits, such as squinting, frowning and laughing.

• Static wrinkles can develop as the aftermath of unresolved dynamic rhytides or from the effects of gravity and a loss of skin elasticity, such as on the jowls, around the eyes, hands, neck or cleavage.

Dynamic rhytides ultimately become permanently etched onto the skin as static wrinkles.

For example, dynamic rhytides around the eyes (ie., fine lines caused by laughing or squinting) may develop into deeper static wrinkles as skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more fragile with age. Ultimately, the dynamic rhytides become static wrinkles - permanently visible even without facial expression or movement.

In addition to,

• staying hydrated (drink clean water),

• minimizing sun exposure,

• utilizing a quality sun-block,

• avoiding cigarettes, and

• excessive alcohol consumption,

• harsh soap

The early adoption of a quality maintenance and treatment regime is the most effective way to sustain youthful skin well into your 40’s, 50's, and dare we say, even your 60's. Early adoption of a maintenance regime is no less essential than tooth/mouth hygiene regime.

The body's natural repair function can be awakened to delay the onset of, or regenerate and remodel rhytides, wrinkles, skin elasticity, thinning skin, acne scarring and photo-age damage. Prognosis and treatment by an experienced clinician is crucial to ensure selection of the optimum treatment for your skin type for repeatable, safe and sustainable results. 

Consultation with an experienced dermal clinician whose primary motivation is not the business’ bonus or quota scheme is a prudent starting point. Early adoption of a quality home maintenance routine, encapsulating scientifically proven topicals is your best insurance for looking youthful well into your 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. The scientific evidence elucidates specific topicals are optimal for specific skin types, conditions and age groups. Topicals and oral supplements containing Hyaluronic Acid, Beta and Alpha Hydroxy, Retinoids, Collagen (bovine collagen) are all clinically proven tools in our arsenal. Most recently, scientific developments in the field of Nitric Oxide topicals have again focused the light on the regenerative topicals and supplements.

There are a number of safe and effective clinical treatments to boost skin health from below the surface for a natural smoother and firmer appearance. Ideally we want to achieve this without disrupting or destroying the skins (surface) microbiome. When a healthy composition of microorganisms and bacteria on the skin is disturbed the skin becomes vulnerable to an overgrowth in pathogenic bacteria, increased inflammation and an altered skin Ph, which can introduce unintended and unwanted challenges.

Non-surgical rhytide and wrinkle reduction treatments options may include

• Radio Frequency (RF),

• Low Level Light Therapy in the form of Light Emitting Diode “LLLT-LED”, and

• RF Microneedling

Each treatment option involves kick-starting the bodies natural repair cycle, boosting the production of collagen and elastin fibrin to support skin health while achieving a noticeably smoother, younger-looking appearance. These technologies have been selected based on three key criteria,

• Efficacy,

• Safety and

• Long-term sustainable benefit.

We can treat rhytides and wrinkles without downtime, or altering the shape of the face which can result in a “plumped” appearance. You will note that we have omitted laser therapy as a candidate treatment for rhytides and wrinkles. You will also note that we indicated earlier that one of the inevitable symptoms of age is thinning or crepey skin. Although lasers have a role to play in skin treatment they present with greater risks and downtime, especially for darker skin types as well as skin which is already thinning or crepey. It is prudent to select treatment regime with care to avoid complications and challenges in later years.

Low Level Light Therapy – Light Emitting Diode (LED)

Light-emitting diode (LED) are used for low-level light therapy (LLLT) and photodynamic therapy for various skin conditions;

• Treatment of active acne - as an anti-inflammatory,

• Anti-aging and skin rejuvenation - by way of increased synthesis of type 1 procollagen leading to neocollagenesis, and

• Promoting wound healing and Nitric Oxide activation - bodily production of guanylate cyclase and nitrous oxide, promoting vasodilation (increased blood-flow), growth factor production, and accelerated wound healing.

“LEDs may treat skin conditions by altering intrinsic cellular activity according to the principles of photobiomodulation”¹. Recent studies have demonstrated that LED treatment over a 16 week period and at the correct wavelength will contribute towards improved skin hydration, skin elasticity, and skin density. However, it is imperative to utilize a clinical grade device because these results are only applicable when the correct wavelength and density are deployed. LED treatments at specific wavelengths have been shown to spawn specific outcomes. For example, the wavelengths for treatment of alopecia (hair loss) and the wavelength for anti-aging treatment (collagenases) are separated by mere two digits. More importantly the wavelength for antibacterial treatment and UVA (which causes skin damage and promotes premature aging) are also within a tolerance of 2 digits. For that reason only certified (FDA and CE) clinical grade LED should be used to ensure the intended results are achieved without any harmful or unintended side-effects.

Collagen and fibrin are important extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components in the body, providing structural integrity to various tissues. As we age the ECM components become weaker or compromised. Transmitting radiofrequency energy as controlled heat into the the ECM causes the skin’s collagen protein fibers to contract and triggers a natural inflammatory response that spawns fibrin and collagen (cell) regeneration. The most advanced radiofrequency treatment achieve collagenases without interrupting the skin surface and therefore minimizing the risk of unintended pigmentation or microbiome skin remodelling.

Vivace is recognised as one of the safest and effective aesthetic treatments available in Australia, which is FDA cleared and TGA listed. For deep set static wrinkles a “3D Precision Treatment” techniques is optimal. Vivace uses a layered treatment regime to remodel collagen by delivering energy for tightening and toning by targeting specific layers of the epidermis and dermis. Depending on your particular needs, and for deep set rhytides, the ultimate all natural treatment may be Vivace with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Vivace is safe for darker skin tones. Treatment may be performed on the face, chest, or body, making for more customizable treatment options. Treatment plans and technologies should be customized based upon your personal aesthetic needs and goals, whether it be to treat static rhytides, dynamic wrinkles, scarring, pigmentation, or crepe-like skin. 

Nitric Oxide (“NO”) is the latest groundbreaking scientific discovery considered so fundamental to human health and longevity that three scientists attributed with its discovery were awarded a joint Nobel Laureate in 1998. Naturally produced by the human body, Nitric Oxide (or, lack thereof) has been scientifically proven as a major contributor to aging. “It is required for skin health; therefore, a lack of NO is known to cause or worsen skin conditions related to three biomedical applications— infection treatment, injury healing, and blood circulation”². As we age, we gradually lose our ability to produce Nitric Oxide. In fact, by age 40, we lose as much as 50% of our ability to produce this essential molecule. The consequences are loss of circulation, oxygen, and nutrient delivery; all vital for the health of the cells of the dermis. As a result, these cells become dysfunctional and can no longer do their job. The visual consequences are loss of complexion, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of hydration and collagen, all of which lead to wrinkles and aging of the skin. NO is what regulates blood flow and nutrient and oxygen delivery to every cell in the entire body. Every cell in the body requires certain nutrients and metabolites in order to do its job. It is the job of nitric oxide to open up the blood vessels that serve those individual tissues and cells to make sure each cell gets what it needs to do its job. The challenge in the field of aesthetic medicine has been the delivery of the NO to the desired zone requiring rejuvenation. Pneuma N1o1 is the first clinically proven topical can restore the circulation and nutrient flow to the skin.

The body encounters declining natural NO and collagen production by the early 30's and this degeneration accelerates after menopause. The Australian harsh environment and lifestyle can magnify the skin-aging effects. A practical targeted and customised regenerative maintenance program is your best defense to combat and delay the degenerative symptoms of aging, and in particular, the onset of static rhytides and wrinkles. 

REFERENCES:

1. Barolet D. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in dermatology.Semin Cutan Med Surg 2008;27(4):227±238.

2. Synthetic, Natural, and Semisynthetic Polymer Carriers for Controlled Nitric Oxide Release in Dermal Applications: A Review. Carolina Gutierrez Cisneros,1 Veerle Bloemen,1,2 and Arn Mignon1,* Alexey Iordanskii, Academic Editor