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Doctors of Artisan Clinic: The Top Mask-On treatments for Phase 2 HA
It seems like COVID-19 is here to stay and here we go again, another round of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) in Singapore with yet another round of restrictions. Non-medical mask off treatments are prohibited but that does not mean we should neglect ourselves. Our clinic remains open and we strive to continue delivering the best treatments alongside our priority to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone who visits our clinic. Here’s an update on the top treatments that can still be done during Phase 2.
Hands
Did you know the best way to gauge someone’s age is actually to look at their hands and neck? That is where signs of ageing like pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, dry and crepey skin can be seen.
As we age, there is loss of collagen, fat and bone resorption. Many also neglect the skin of the hands and do not moisturize nor use sun protection. Environmental aggressors like alcohol rub, excessive hand washing and exposure to sun and chemicals further aggravate and speed up the ageing process.
Hand Rejuvenation
Treatment varies based on the different concerns:
For pigmentation
Laser treatment like Picosure can help to get rid of the pigmentation and stimulate production of collagen and elastin. I also like to add on Teoxane’s Redensity 1 to further lighten pigmentation. Redensity 1 consists of 8 amino acids, 3 antioxidants including glutathione, 2 minerals (zinc, copper) and 1 vitamin. It is my go-to skin booster for other parts of the body with pigmentation.
For dry and crepey skin
My preference is to use Profhilo, an injectable moisturizer, for dry skin of the hands. Profhilo contains a mixture of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid molecules. The concentration of hyaluronic acid in Profhilo is 64mg/2ml which is higher than most dermal fillers in the market. The hybrid complex of hyaluronic acid tightens, hydrates and rejuvenates the skin by kickstarting elastin and collagen production at different skin depths. The skin of the hand will have less wrinkles, be firmer, smoother and more hydrated. If dry skin is your main concern, Profhilo is my treatment of choice.
For loss of volume and sunken hands
Dermal hand fillers are used to restore volume loss and minimize the visibility of tendons and blood vessels. I like to use Teoxane’s RHA (resilient hyaluronic acid) range of fillers. The RHA is a dynamic filler and is able to stretch and accommodate movements and is great when used for the hands. Results are immediate and you get younger looking hands in one treatment!
Neck
The skin on our neck is prone to premature ageing since it is 3 times thinner than the skin on our face. Environmental factors like UV exposure and perfume spraying can further speed up the ageing process. Many people also do not apply the same skincare on the face to the neck and neglect sun protection. As a result, deep neck lines and thin and crepey neck skin betray our age.
Neck Rejuvenation
For dry and crepey skin
My personal preference is to do radiofrequency microneedling like Potenza, combined with Profhilo. Potenza is able to stimulate collagen and elastin and there is a unique tip that can push collagen stimulating fillers deep to further enhance the result. On top of firmer, healthier and younger skin, neck lines can also be minimized. I like to do Profhilo for the neck after the Potenza to speed up recovery, give an extra boost of hydration and amplify the result further.
For loose and sagging skin
I recommend doing Tempsure, HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) and neck threadlift. Tempsure utilizes radiofrequency to tighten and firm up the skin. It is a comfortable treatment and feels like a warm massage. Immediate lifting effects can be seen and results last for a year. HIFU utilizes ultrasound energy to tighten the skin and reduce excess fat. It precisely targets deeper layers of the skin. This includes the SMAS layer in the skin which is the layer that plastic surgeons pull back when doing face lift surgery. HIFU stimulates new collagen stimulation and provides long-term skin tightening.
Neck threadlift can suspend and tighten loose neck tissue immediately and then stimulate collagen around the thread to create firmer and tighter neck skin. You can say goodbye to your double chin and loose neck skin immediately!
For neck line reduction
I personally like to use Teoxane’s range of filler called RHA (resilient hyaluronic acid) which is a dynamic filler (meaning it is able to stretch and accommodate facial and muscular movements) and great for mobile areas like the neck. RHA1 hydrates the neck and reduces the depth of deep neck lines instantly, smoothing out the neck.
For reduction of platysmal bands
Platysma is the neck muscle that contracts to form wrinkles or bulge to form a ‘turkey neck’ appearance. By injecting botox to specific areas of the neck, wrinkles and fine lines of the neck are reduced and jawline is also improved.
Decolletage
The decolletage is the upper part of a woman’s chest and is often exposed by the neckline of clothes. This area is a significant concern for women as it can show noticeable signs of ageing, just like the neck and hands. The chest skin is thin and particularly delicate since it does not produce much oil. This area is exposed to sun and often neglected when it comes to sunscreen protection. Finally, the chest skin can also be stretched by the weight of breasts and is thus prone to the effects of weight fluctuations.
Signs of ageing like pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and broken capillaries are often seen after you hit 40s as hormones change with menopause. Skin gets drier and thinner with the loss of collagen and elastin.
Decolletage Rejuvenation
The decolletage’s large surface area is something I would take into consideration, cost wise, when recommending treatments for my patients.
For pigmentation
I prefer to do chemical peel followed by Picosure for pigmentation lightening and exfoliation. The chemical peel contains AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) which can lighten sunspots, age spots, freckles and melasma. Or those with oily skin, a chemical peel containing BHA (beta hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid will be beneficial as the acid penetrates deep to cleanse pores and blackheads and also eradicates bacteria that causes acne. After doing a chemical peel, the dead skin and dirt on the surface is removed and the laser can efficiently penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, giving you brighter radiant skin.
For dry and thin skin
My go-to for hydration is Profhilo, which gives intense hydration to the skin, being the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid in any skinbooster in the market currently. My caucasian patient who used to suntan frequently in her youth, suffered from really thin, crepey dry skin and ever since she tried Profhilo for her chest she has since become a Profhilo advocate!
I also like using Sunekos. Sunekos is a patented formula of hyaluronic acid and amino acids to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, restoring elasticity and volume to the skin. Skin becomes smoother, firmer and more hydrated. The benefit about using Sunekos is that each vial or syringe contains 3ml, so it can cover a wider area compared to other skinboosters.
For sagging skin with wrinkles
I recommend doing Potenza. Each Potenza tip allows 1000 shots which can cover a wide area like the decolletage. The radiofrequency microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin and topical serums and collagen stimulators can be pushed deep to the desired skin depth to further boost collagen and increase hydration.
The serums and collagen stimulators turbocharge the Potenza energy, delivering an even more fantastic skin tightening and skin resurfacing result.
I would say Potenza is able to address most of the skin conditions:
- For dry skin, we can use Potenza to deliver hyaluronic acid
- For wrinkled crepey skin, Potenza can deliver in growth factor peptides to reverse damaged aged skin
- For pigmented skin, Potenza can also deliver in depigmenting agents like glutathione, tranexamic acid and Vitamin C
Conclusion
I hope this article is useful in helping you have a better understanding of the various treatments that can still be done with the new Phase 2 guidelines. If you are working from home, now is the time to do your treatments with downtime. Remember to take good care of your health, physically and mentally, and from head to toe!
Have a question?
If you have any other questions, please leave us a message anytime and we will be happy to answer them!
