The popular non-invasive skin treatments today

MANILA, Philippines - Dying to get rid of that nasty wrinkle or sagging jaw but are scared of going under the knife? Fear not, because with advancements in skin care and anti-aging technologies come numerous non-invasive skin rejuvenation procedures today that help patients look young and radiant without surgery.

“Good skin is a must for health and beauty. And while aging is inevitable, it’s possible to look young without undergoing expensive surgical treatments,” says Luis Montoya, executive vice president of MediCard Philippines.

For the latest, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatments, one can visit the Skin and Body Clinic by MediCard.

Some of the most popular non-invasive skin treatments include:

• Facials. This treatment involves a combination of facial pampering, like the deep cleansing, exfoliation, rejuvenation and infusion of products, like serums and creams. The skin consultants evaluate the patient’s skin type and customize a treatment program to suit their skin condition.

• Chemical peels. Chemical peels can smoothen dry skin, improve skin texture, minimize acne scars, soften deep wrinkles, and erase fine lines. They can also cure melasma and keratoses. The products used contain alpha and beta hydroxyl acids, which “peel off” dead skin to reveal a smooth and radiant complexion. The exfoliation process requires a healing period, which depends on the strength of the products used. A series of peels at intervals of two to four weeks is essential to obtain the best results. 

• Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tipped vacuum suction device, which removes dead skin cells while gently polishing the skin and stimulating collagen production and blood flow. It is commonly used in treating dull and rough skin, reducing mild acne scars, smoothening fine wrinkles, exfoliating plugged pores, and evening out skin tone. Precise and painless, microdermabrasion is mostly favored by patients with sensitive skin. Effects of the treatment, however, can be subtle so that repetition is required to achieve full results.

• Laser resurfacing. This procedure uses laser light energy to remove the top layer of the skin that has scars, acne marks, wrinkles, and discoloration. These common skin problems are caused by harmful radicals and aging. Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface.

• Laser tattoo removal. The latest advancement in laser technology allows for removal of all types of tattoo with little or no scarring. By applying laser energy on the tattoo, its ink pigment heats up and fragments into smaller pieces, which are then removed by normal body processes. Different laser colors and energy wavelengths are used for different tattoo pigments.

• Slimming and body contouring. Safe and pain-free, this is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses cavitation and radio frequency technology. It can be done on all skin types and body areas where unwanted fat is stored. Immediate result is seen on the first treatment and significant reduction and contouring is achieved after a series of treatments.

With plenty of skin and body treatments to choose from, it is important to understand the basics of desired procedures. “Consult with your doctors. They can discuss the pros and cons of each treatment so you know what to expect,” advises Montoya.

The Skin and Body Clinic is located at the MediCard Lifestyle Center, Eton Centris and Festival Mall.