The nonsurgical aesthetic industry has finally hit an important milestone. Using a combination of techniques, cosmetic physicians are now able to halt, and even reverse, the age-related changes which occur to one’s face. In the past, technologies would allow for turning back time for a few years but eventually, the inevitable and undeniable signs of aging would occur. As lasers, radiofrequency (RF), filler and neuromodulator techniques have improved, the aging face is a thing of the past. The concept of “age freezing”, keeping ones looks for a decade or more, is not merely a dream, but reality. More importantly, this all can be done without surgery!
Not everyone is a candidate for “Age Freezing” unfortunately. The stipulations are:
- Must be a nonsmoker – There are several significant skin and health issues associated with smoker which can’t be overcome. Many procedures require healing and collagen stimulation which are inhibited by smoking.
- Free of chronic debilitating disease – There are tolls long term diseases take on the body which lead to premature aging, cellular changes.
- Stable weight – As Katherine Deneuve once stated, at the age of 40, you must decide between your ass or your face. If you lose too much weight, fat is lost from your face. In most instances, this can be overcome but not always. However, in patients with significant weight gains, there can be some difficulties maintaining the same look one had in the years prior.
- Alcohol consumption in moderation – Alcohol can take a toll on the body in the long run when taken in excess. 1-2 drinks per day is the recommended maximum intake that the author recommends.
- Healthy lifestyle and diet – Although this topic overlaps some of the previously mentioned necessities, a good exercise regime is also required. The benefits of exercise on weight, hormones, circulation all benefit the facial appearance. Obviously, a well-rounded diet full of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients is beneficial too. There is research to support telomere lengthening with these measures as well.
The requisite procedures for “Age Freezing” are:
- Neurotoxins on a regular basis. Relaxing the hyperdynamic muscles of the face with either Dysport or Botox needs to be performed at least 3 times per year. The regularity is needed to keep the muscles weak and prohibiting them from regaining strength.
- Dermal Fillers for lost volume. Fillers are the epicenter of the whole “Age Freezing” concept. Beginning in the mid 30’s, at least a cc of volume is lost per year. This is the result of fat, bone, and muscle loss. Replacing and keeping up with this process is tantamount to looking young. Large volumes are best replaced with using Sculptra, a collagen stimulating filler. It is best to recreate the foundation with Sculptra. Superficial fine tuning is best performed with a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Restylane. New techniques using blunt cannulas permitted safer, less downtime procedures. A comprehensive understanding of the aging process has enlightened our specialty as to what needs to be corrected for accomplishing age reversal.
- Skin Tightening to reverse gravity. The constant downward pull due to gravity leads to skin laxity, above and beyond what is attributable to volume loss. Devices that heat up the dermis will stimulate collagen and tissue contraction. Devices vary in their ability to tighten, often with a tradeoff of more downtime/discomfort/risk for more results. Ablative lasers, CO2 and Erbium, will give the most tightening for lasers. Radiofrequency can also be used, with the microneedling RF, such as Infini, giving the best results. A new procedure called JPlasma, looks like it may have promise in significant tightening, but does have about 14 days of downtime and a month of redness.
- Skin Resurfacing to improve pigmentation, fine lines, and thicken the dermis. The aging process, primarily due to sun exposure, causes skin to thin with loss of collagen and elastin. Dyspigmentation, pigmentation problems, occurs as well. Renewing the surface of the skin can be accomplished using lasers, such as the Fraxel Dual, or chemical peels. Microneedling can thicken the skin by producing small injuries in the dermis with very little downtime or risks. There may be benefit to adding PRP, platelet rich plasma, to the skin, but the jury is still out.
- Skin Care is essential to achieve the optimal results from any of the above mention procedures as well as to improve one’s skin health. Retin A or Retinol should be a staple in one’s nightly regime. These products stimulate skin turnover, reversal of pigmentation problems, better hydration with hyaluronic acid stimulation, and collagen production. Blemishes/Acne breakouts are improved with these products as well.
- Oral Supplements are key to good, healthy skin. Oxidants are the source of disease, cancer, aging, and skin damage. To neutralize the oxidative stress, strong anti-oxidant supplement(s) are necessary. Examples include: superoxide dismutase, fish oils, resveratrol, Polypodium leucotomos, turmeric, and glutathione. In addition, the antiaging benefits of Metformin are hard to dismiss with the current research published. Lengthening one’s telomeres with TA65 is probably beneficial as well.
One must understand that the “Age Freezing” concept is a process. It is a lifestyle, a choice. It is not a “one and done” procedure. It consists of regular visits to an aesthetic physician. There are big steps and little steps along the way. The author has dozens of “Age Freezing” patients whom look younger and better, 10 or more years after initiating treatments. “Age Freezing” will eliminated the need for future cosmetic surgery.
