Aging: Looking beyond the wrinkles

MANILA, Philippines - Skin that’s smooth, clear, radiant, and supple is the dream that time takes away. And for many who wish to regain their youthful look, going to cosmetic clinics has become the recourse.

But an all-too-common mistake in skin rejuvenation is focusing on the two-dimensional signs of aging: fine lines and wrinkles. Sadly, the procedures stop at the skin’s surface.

But a new approach to aging looks beyond creases, and more at facial fullness, which is lost as we grow old. Indeed, over time, our skin cells find it more difficult to absorb and retain moisture, while sebaceous glands produce less oil. The skin loses elasticity, and its fat layer gradually thins.

Dr. Camille Angeles, medical affairs manager for Facial Aesthetics of Allergan, explains, “If we look at the face of a young person, it is not only free of lines. More than that, it is soft and supple, and plump where skin depth is needed, like the cheeks.”

Dr. Angeles goes on to introduce Allergan’s Juvederm Voluma® with Lidocaine, a skin formulation that temporarily replenishes facial volume.

Through volume restoration, the face becomes more finely contoured, which is also the hallmark of youth. Cheeks are fuller, cheekbones are more well-defined, and the jawline appears more chiseled.

In addition, volumization ensures an instant facelift, which readily irons out the creases around the eyes, mouth, and nose, creating a refreshed face. “Suddenly, the eyes don’t look sad or tired anymore, and the marionette lines and nasolabial folds become less prominent,” Dr. Angeles shares.

Before and after photos of users of Juvederm Voluma with Lidocaine in fact show faces that look soft but firm, cheeks that have a youthful curve, and improved, more well-defined jawline.

“Facial aging is not only due to changes in the skin, there are important changes in the deeper layers as well. There is decrease in fat content in the subcutaneous or fatty layer of our skin, and bone changes as well. Knowing this, approach to facial rejuvenation should not be limited to improving skin quality. We need to address fat loss as well, so that we could regain the sexy “ogee” curves in the cheeks, and at the same time, by volumizing the midface, we improve skin texture and sagging,” adds Dr. Angeles.

 In short, it’s about defying gravity that pulls the skin downwards over the years.

At the core of Juvederm Voluma’s rejuvenating power is the key ingredient hyaluronic acid. A naturally-occurring substance in the human body, it is known for its exceptional hydrating ability.

More, Juvederm Voluma with Lidocaine is developed using Allergan’s Vycross technology, which results in more effective cross-linking of hyaluronic acid gel, and facilitates rejuvenation at a structural level.

Since the change happens from within the skin, the results look subtle and natural. As Dr. Angeles quips, from Juvederm’s tagline, “Everyone will notice, but no one will know.”