What if we told you there’s another way to achieve perfect skin apart from patting various acids and ten-step skincare routines? Yes, the world of skincare has advanced to an extensive level that offers a literal version of glass skin. It’s 2022, and with today’s tools and technology, the newest and most sought-after techniques will allow you to tweak, lift, and smoothen out your skin on your own terms.
We spoke to Delhi-based Dr Geetika Mittal, medical director and founder, ISAAC Luxe, Mumbai-based Dr. Harshna Bijlani, the medical head of The AgeLess Clinic & celebrity skin expert, Dr Jamuna Pai, founder of SkinLab, the doctors at Kosmoderma Skin & Hair Clinics and B.L. Jangid Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, SkinQure Clinic, to recommend some of the best non-surgical skincare treatments that can be tried this year.
MICRODERMABRASION
What is it? Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating treatment that removes one or two layers of dead skin cells. It’s an excellent non-invasive procedure for skin polishing. The benefits of microdermabrasion include effectively treating sun damage and pigmentation, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, treating minor acne scars, reducing excessive oil production, treating in-grown hair, and rejuvenating dry and dehydrated skin.
How often should it be done? It is recommended to be performed fortnightly while addressing skin concerns and monthly as a maintenance procedure.
MICRO-PIGMENTATION
What is it? Micropigmentation, also known as permanent make-up, is a cosmetic procedure used to enhance or replace the lost complexion of the skin. It is beneficial for anyone who wants to enhance their eyebrows, eyelashes, and lips. It’s also useful for individuals suffering from vitiligo and alopecia/ baldness. The benefits of micropigmentation include replacing eyebrows that are thinning due to age or underlying medical conditions, camouflaging lack of color in conditions like vitiligo/ white patches, covering up scars with tattoo pigment, and acting as a permanent solution for allergies.
How long does it last? Once micropigmentation is accomplished, it generally lasts for 12-18 months. It is a personal preference as to when you want to get a touch-up done or when the pigments fade off.
PRP
What is it? PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy is gaining a lot of attention lately, and is trusted by numerous dermatologists across the globe. This platelet-rich plasma technique is a non-invasive, non-surgical, painless medical treatment for skin rejuvenation in which blood is extracted from the patient, and the plasma is separated. Then the activated plasma, rich in platelets. is injected into the skin patient to achieve smooth and supple skin.
How often should it be done? PRP sessions are required in a gap of 4-6 weeks. One to two sessions can be done in the beginning, if the results are not visible, you should go ahead with the third session after three months. The comprehensive progress can be visible from the first month to six months, or may extend up to a year depending upon various factors.
MICRONEEDLING
What is it? Micro-needling encourages the formation of new skin cells. It is a procedure that includes pricking and injuring the skin in order for new skin to develop and repair the damaged one. Micro-needling is performed with the use of a roller with minute needle-like features that puncture the skin. For men, it enhances skin tone and texture, erases wrinkles and fine lines, smoothens acne scars, and reduces discolouration.
How often should it be done? As per doctor’s advice.
DERMA FILLERS
What is it? Dermal fillers, also known as injectable implants — soft tissue fillers, lip, and facial fillers, or wrinkle fillers, are FDA-approved medical device implants for use in the face, including the nasolabial folds (the lines extending from the sides of the nose to the edges of the mouth), cheeks, chin, lips, and backs of the hands, to help create a smoother and/or fuller appearance.
How often should it be done? As per doctor’s advice.
MORPHEOUS8
What is it? Morpheous8 is an international award-winning technology that shows great results for various skin concerns, and can be done on the face as well as body for several different concerns. While used on the face, it helps to tighten skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, gives a lift on the face and jawline, boosts collagen production, and tightens pores. On the other hand, when used on the rest of the body, this treatment helps reduce cellulite and stretchmarks, improving skin laxity.
How often should it be done? It is recommended to take this treatment between 3-6 sessions depending on the concern (each session needs to be done 3-4 weeks apart), you can see results right from the first session.
AGELESS 360°+ FACIAL
What is it? The Ageless 360°+ Facial, as the name suggests, takes a 360° approach to tackle myriad everyday skincare concerns that men tend to face. It uses a brightening laser to help reduce pigmentation, tanning, and tighten open pores. It also uses the Diamond Skin Resurfacing Treatment, which uses a diamond tip to gently remove the damaged thicker outer layer of your skin that mainly consists of dead skin cells to give way smoother, cleaner skin. This facial helps improve skin tone and texture, removes dead skin cells and impurities, tightens pores as well as brightens skin, and reduces tanning.
How often should one do it? It should be done once a month to help with skincare upkeep.
IV DRIPS
What is it? Intravenous drips are administered into the veins to ensure 100 per cent absorption of the actives by the blood stream of the body. L-Glutathione is the most sought after I.V. drip active. Glutathione, along with vitamin C and normal saline, is infused into the vein, over 20-25 minutes in the form of a drip. Our bodies contain free radicals that are known to cause tissue damage that lead to illnesses and can also speed up the aging process. The antidote to free radicals is antioxidants. L-Glutathione is the richest form of antioxidant. It scavenges the free radicals, and reverses the damage caused by it. With antioxidants, the body feels more energetic and less sluggish. It also helps in increasing the immunity, thereby keeping illnesses and diseases at bay.
How often should it be done? The drips are best effective when taken once in 7-10 days.
