Go Back Thailand Medical Procedures

Wrinkle Removal Treatments

Most people have wrinkles due to aging and sun damage, both resulting in the skin producing less collagen than during youth. Collagen production declines gradually as we age. Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth are a normal part of the aging process. Wrinkles occur naturally as subcutaneous fat and skin elasticity is lost. The face having a much shallower layer of subcutaneous tissue is one of the first places that wrinkles will appear. Add in the damage that frequent sun exposure does to the skin and it is now wonder that many women have skin that makes them look older than they really are.

Luckily women and men now have several options available for wrinkle removal. While not as long lasting as plastic surgery facelifts they do offer a solution for the short term, with fewer risks. If wrinkles are a concern, discuss these options with your dermatologist.

NLite Laser Treatment
Botox
Collagen
Fat Transfer
Hyaluronic Acid
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Dermabrasion

NLite Laser Treatment

Research has resulted in the discovery of a way to stimulate natural collagen production by the skin, by a certain wavelength of yellow laser light. This has resulted in the NLite laser treatment.

There is no burning and the procedure is painless, requiring no anesthesia. It does not wound the skin, there is no skin ablation, and there is no post treatment care. The majority of people cannot see any visible marks on their skin after the procedure.

Before the technique of laser stimulation of collagen production, doctors injected collagen to soften lines and create a more youthful appearance. While collagen injections offer immediate results, drawbacks include risk of allergic reaction, discomfort during treatment, cost and a need to re-treat every 4 to 6 months.

Skin rejuvenation by advanced laser technology

Collagen rejuvenation lasers have recently been developed and offer excellent results. There are several lasers which can increase collagen production.

However, the NLite laser is preferred by patients and physicians because it requires only 1 to 2 treatments, rather than 3 to 6 as recommended for other lasers.

Additionally, the NLite is also reported to be more specific which results in less trauma and can be described as painless, whereas other lasers can cause severe discomfort during treatment.

After laser skin rejuvenation treatment on your face

The majority of patients cannot see any visible marks on the face after the procedure. Successful treatment areas include the forehead, vertical lip lines, lip enhancement, smile lines and crow's feet. Additional treatment areas include the neck and hands.

Patients experience a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines beginning about 30 days after treatment. Improvements continue for up to 90 days at which time the improvement is maintained.

Depending on the severity of wrinkling and the area to be treated, additional treatments may be desirable. No downtime, no bruising, no visible side effects

The NLite LCR laser is ideal for anyone who prefers a gradual (30 to 90 day) approach to looking younger. This is especially important for patients who cannot spare the two to six week recovery periods required for laser resurfacing treatments. Patients immediately return to normal activities with no downtime or the visible effects of having undergone a cosmetic treatment.

Normal treatment time is between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area and the number of wrinkles to be treated. Patients experience a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines beginning about 30 days after treatment. Improvements continue for up to 90 days at which time the improvement is maintained.

Make-up or moisturizer may be applied immediately after treatment and patients are able to return to their normal activities including work or sports. Patients may participate in outdoor activites without fear of sensitivity to sunlight.

Successful treatment areas include smile lines, foreheads, vertical lip lines, lip enhancement and crow's feet. Additional treatment areas include the neck and hands.

One or two laser sessions are typical, but depending on the severity of wrinkling and the area to be treated, additional treatments may be desirable.

Wrinkles are also caused by loss of skin elasticity, lowered ability to retain moisture or secrete oil, and poor healing, as well as by habitual facial expressions and sleeping positions.

Back To Top

Botox

Botox injections have been in use about 10 years for the short-term treatment of fines lines and wrinkles in the face. Botox works by relaxing the muscles and making the line disappear. Some of the common areas treated include crow's feet, frown lines, laugh lines, and forehead wrinkles. The effects of Botox usually last about 3 - 6 months and can then be repeated. Although Botox is a protein toxin produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria it is injected in such small amounts that its effects remain localized. It has very few side effects. Wrinkles caused by muscular contractions can be prevented by our botox non-laser treatment.

Back To Top

Collagen

Collagen is a natural protein that acts as the support structure of the skin. In young skin, the collagen framework is intact and the skin remains moisturized and elastic. Over time, however, the support structure weakens and the skin loses elasticity. Dermatologists have used injectable bovine collagen for over 25 years. Used primarily as a tissue filler to soften lines around the mouth, it has also been used successfully to augment lips, correct the early degrees of muscle loss around the mouth associated with aging, and erase acne scars. Like Botox its effects are temporary and normally last about 3-4 months. About 10% of the population is allergic to bovine collagen, so skin tests must be done before it can be used for wrinkle removal.

Back To Top

Fat Transfer

Autologous fat transfer is a wrinkle filler procedure in which fat is removed from one part of the body, such as the thighs, buttocks or stomach, via tumescent liposuction and used to fill in deeper wrinkles and contour the "hills and valleys" associated with aging. Since a patient's own fat is used in the procedure, there are no allergic reactions associated with this type of filler. This is a more involved procedure because fat is removed from one part of the body and added to another. The results are not permanent, as loss of facial subcutaneous fat is a natural part of the aging process, no matter where that fat originated.

Back To Top

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a soft tissue filler that has been used with much success in Canada and Europe. It is being studied in the United States but has not yet received FDA approval. Hyaluronic acid is a gel that is actually a natural occurring and basic component of human skin. The gel serves to "float" the skin cells rather than fill in vacant wrinkles, which makes hyaluronic acid suitable for larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks. Studies show a low incidence of allergic reaction and with longer action. Results tend to last up to six to nine months.

Overall these procedures carry much lower risk than surgery. These procedures are considered cosmetic, with no health benefits (other than to self-esteem) and generally not covered by insurance or Medicare.

Back To Top

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing can reduce facial wrinkles and other kinds of irregularities, resulting in smoother skin. The laser technique directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. Laser skin resurfacing removes skin very precisely, layer by layer, resulting in fewer problems with hypopigmentation (lightening of skin). However, after laser skin resurfacing, exposure to the sun must be avoided for a few months.

The specific laser used depends upon the kind and degree of resurfacing needed. For more information visit our Laser Skin Resurfacing page.

Back To Top

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion, a method of abrasion to the top layers of skin in order to resurfacing it, is a non-laser technique sometimes used to treat wrinkles. The result is skin of more nearly the same level, smoother texture and tighter skin. For more information on dermabrasion, please visit the dermabrasion page.

Back To Top

Dermatological Skin Care Treatments Available