Surgery free fixes for younger looking skin

By Joanna Lewis

Looking to put your best face forward? Here are some of the best non-surgical anti-aging treatments that are proven to deliver results.

Mesotherapy

For glowing skin, Mesotherapy is just the ticket. This non-surgical skincare technique involves a series of serums filled with vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts that are injected directly into the mesoderm – the middle layer of the skin – where they can better work their magic.

Mesotherapy was originally pioneered in France by Michel Pistor in the 1950s as a form of pain relief, however, over the years this technique has evolved to harness its therapeutic and anti-aging effects.

“Almost everyone can benefit from mesotherapy,” Kelly Johnson, No.11 Spa’s esthetician and medical nurse, says. “Mesotherapy is an excellent way to maintain young healthy skin or to combat existing signs of aging.” She adds: “To treat specific skin conditions, like pigmentation or acne scarring, we tailor serum ingredients to target these issues. We even have serums to promote hair growth if thinning hair is an issue, or to reduce excess fat and tighten loose skin to help reduce cellulite.”

Mesotherapy is just one of the many anti-aging treatments offered at No. 11 Spa. Named after the number 11 mango – the queen of all mangoes found in Jamaica – No.11 Spa is a slice of Caribbean paradise in George Town’s Cayman Technology Centre. The spa offers clients a cozy retreat to indulge in the benefits of holistic and medical spa remedies, all through eco-chic spa and retail products.

At the No. 11 Spa three techniques are used to deliver the serum during a mesotherapy treatment; traditional injectables, micro needling (a technique which utilises a series of ultra-small needles), and via an electronic device for those who are averse to needles.

According to Kelly, a series of at least six treatments is usually recommended for best results, with sessions taking anywhere between 20 to 75 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be injected.

“Treatment includes a cleansing of the skin and a light peel before numbing cream is applied to minimise discomfort,” Kelly explains. “The skin is then cleansed again before we administer the serum using one of our three mesotherapy techniques. Afterwards, a cool sheet mask is applied, followed by a custom-prepared lotion using more of the serum from your treatment.”

Downtime is minimal, with any minor bruising or redness often easy to cover with makeup.

“Coupled with holistic, at-home therapies, like jade rolling and facial cupping, mesotherapy can be used as part of any anti-aging routine without drastically changing your face,” Kelly says. “The results are very subtle, and we’ve seen great outcomes with hair rejuvenation, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and overall skin conditioning.”

Fibroblast plasma lift

Fibroblast plasma lift is the latest anti-aging treatment to hit the market, promising dramatic surgical-like results, minus the scalpel, stitches, bandages, and eye-watering cost.

This innovative treatment is designed to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven colouration, sagging skin around the eyes, neck, and tummy, as well as help improve skin imperfections, including sun damage.

“The results of a plasma lift are only comparable to plastic surgery, and in most areas, are permanent,” Shawna Friesen, aesthetician and plasma lift technician at Novo Clinic, a multi-practice medical destination located at BritCay House, George Town, says.

The treatment involves the use of a handheld device which utilises the voltage in the air between its tip and the natural gasses emitted by skin to form a plasma charge. This creates a small electrical arc which instantly shrinks targeted skin, causing the tissues to retract and tighten, giving a more youthful look.

Shawna says the treatment, which works best on light to medium skin tones, takes under an hour to perform, including a 20-minute period for a numbing cream to work its magic.

Results continue to improve over a six to eightweek period, and typically last for up to three years.

“The treatment is low risk, has minimal downtime, and is more affordable than surgery,” Shawna says. “Fibroblast treatment is known for its success

“The results of a plasma lift are only comparable to plastic surgery, and in most areas, are permanent.”

with non-surgical eye lifts, tummy tightening, neck tightening, and so much more.”

She adds: “Each client will respond differently to a plasma lift treatment, but generally one to two sessions are needed. Clients can expect a continued improvement in their results over time as their body responds to the treatment and builds more collagen along with improving elastin production.”

Novo Clinic offers exceptional care and patient education through an experienced team of providers and staff who each aim to exceed patient expectations. The clinic offers a wide range of beauty treatments, including injectables, dermaplaning, and aqua-peels, which Shawna recommends as additional add-on treatments to a plasma lift.

Teeth whitening

Discoloured teeth have long been known to be aging, so it’s no wonder that teeth whitening is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments on the market.

According to Cheryl Young, operations supervisor at The Dental Centre Cayman, a modern multi-disciplinary clinic located in the Fidelity Financial Centre, teeth whitening can restore a brighter, healthier smile reducing the brown and yellow discolouration that has accumulated over time. Indeed, she claims that whiter teeth can make you look up to 10 years younger.

“Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and whitening your teeth gives plenty of bang for your buck,” Cheryl says.

“Teeth whitening is ideal for patients who have healthy, cavity-free teeth, as well as healthy gums. Two of the most popular whitening techniques used to correct discoloured teeth include bleaching and laser/ light whitening,” she adds.

For maximum effects, Cheryl recommends light activated whitening, which is carried out at the clinic, in conjunction with a take home whitening system.

The light activated whitening takes approximately an hour, during which time a bleaching product is applied to teeth and a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening process. The take home whitening system includes custom trays made from a mould of your teeth which are worn with a whitening gel for around 30 minutes a day for 10 to 14 days.

Results typically last for up to three years, and at home whitening kits can be used from time-to-time to help maintain your new pearly whites.

“Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and whitening your teeth gives plenty of bang for your buck.”

Cheryl advises avoiding foods and drinks that stain teeth, including coffee, tea, red wine, cola, spaghetti sauces, and dark grape juice. Smoking is also a big no-no. She also recommends brushing at least twice a day with a whitening toothpaste and a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles, as well as having regular professional cleaning treatments with your dentist.

Injectables

Anti-aging injectables have long been known to wind back the years. Indeed, injectables are popular for treating wrinkles and expression lines as well as helping to create a more youthful look by adding volume to the face.

Some of the most popular injectables are dermal fillers such as Juvederm, which are often used to help add volume to the lips, cheeks, fill existing expression lines, and even to help re-shape the nose, as well as Botox, a muscle relaxant which amongst its many uses prevents skin from creasing and causing wrinkles in the first place.

“You would be surprised at how many people could benefit from injectable treatments if they are keen to explore the route of enhancements,” says Dr. Imogen Bexfield, a specialist in advanced aesthetic procedures at White Swan Aesthetics Cayman.

“Lots of people are put off because they think they will look unnatural, which is simply not the case. Artistic and delicate non-surgical enhancements can be subtle but beautiful. I have some clients who are young and simply want higher cheek bones or plumped lips and then older clients who are looking to restore things to how they once were.”

Dr. Imogen offers a range of effective anti-aging aesthetic beauty procedures at her clinic in Camana Bay, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Kybella, PDO thread lifts, as well as medical grade skincare by popular brand Obagi.

She advises using a muscle-relaxing injectable as soon as the first resting lines start to creep in to help keep skin looking smooth and wrinkle free and using fillers when you need to add volume to your face, or simply want to enhance your look, such as plumping up your lips.

She says that not only is finding an experienced injector key, but also someone who is knowledgeable on the wide range of injectables on offer.

“The ones that people are familiar with are the hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, which plump out the tissues,” Dr. Imogen says. “But there are a whole range of other injectable products too, such as Profhilo. This is a pure hyaluronic acid product which specifically targets skin laxity in a completely natural way. Hyaluronic acid is what makes skin youthful, plump and soft. Profhilo has the highest hyaluronic acid than anything else on the market and that’s how it hydrates and remodels skin, restoring it to its former more youthful glory.”

Depending on the area being treated, fillers can last for up to four to 18 months, whereas Botox typically last for around three months. Downtime is minimal with most people only experiencing minor bruising for anti-wrinkle injections, or a small amount of swelling at the injection site for fillers.