It’s no secret that ageing is inevitable but most of us want to try and put it off for as long as possible. The market is flooded with pills, creams and new technologies that claim to be the fountain of youth but most of these lotions and potions seem to be just cheap marketing gimmicks, endorsed by celebs wanting to make a quick buck. As with everything else in the world, you get what you pay for. Cheap is not always cheerful, nor the most effective. The best process to drastically reduce the ageing process lies in science but this takes time and patience. We chatted to aesthetic dental surgeon and facial aesthetic specialist Dr Sheryl Smithies, who shared her five long-lasting tips to aesthetically refresh your look for 2023, and how to drop five years off your face.
Be committed and in it for the long haul. Today’s fast-paced world is demanding on our bodies, so it is imperative that we take the time to work on us, refuelling our energy tank but also conditioning our body and soul. Your body is the only home you have, so you need to nourish and maintain it, but this takes time. Sadly, there are no quick fixes. By working with an aesthetic therapist and doctor, you can build a personalised treatment plan to ensure that you are gaining the best out of your treatments and maintaining your skin optimally to create a younger looking you. A proper plan would span several months, if not an entire year and focus on things like a facial peel and micro needling every other month and regular laser treatments interspersed with specific filler treatments for example. Having a clearly defined plan also helps to spread the costs of treatment.
Collagen is your best friend. We all know that our bodies start producing less collagen as we age and this causes our skin to become thinner, drier, and less elastic. Collagen induction treatments have been on the market for some time now, but there are some fantastic new injectable filler options that have become recently available. These stimulate the body’s own collagen production and build support for your skin, helping it stay tight and not droop as much. Again, talk to an aesthetic therapist and doctor to find out what cutting-edge treatments will be best suited to you and your skin.
Invest in threads. Threads, or solid fillers as they are often called, are another great way of building collagen and can completely eradicate the small grooves and lines we often see, especially on the forehead and neck area. Threads are an amazing technology that allow us to be a better version of ourselves while utilising our own natural collagen. The investment is costly, but you are guaranteed that the treatment will last you at least two years which is a great long-term investment. Threads can be placed in almost any area of the body but unfortunately, they just don’t work as well in some regions. For these areas, your injectable collagen stimulators take over to ensure a smoother look and feel.
Don’t forget your teeth. As you age, your teeth undergo some serious chewing work, and this can be exacerbated by grinding or clenching habits. All of this wears the tooth structure away and creates a very worn and tired look around the lips and mouth. If your teeth look extremely straight and square, you may have worn down a serious amount of tooth structure already. An aesthetic dental surgeon will be able to work with you to build on what you have worn down. Using advanced Digital Smile Design and 3D scan technology, they will be able to design what you have lost and allow you to create, and test drive a remarkable new smile that looks natural and literally takes years off you. It will also ensure your teeth remain undamaged, instead protecting them from further wear.
Embrace clear aligner therapy. As you age, your teeth also start to go askew. In the past, adults would treat this by subjecting themselves to having braces. Clear Aligner therapy is a revolutionary replacement to braces, allowing you to straighten your teeth in an extremely non- invasive manner that is almost invisible. This is the epitome of advanced dentistry. Straight teeth are so important in the aging process. Better positioned teeth help rejuvenate your face and allow for a fuller lip support which improves your entire face and keeps you looking younger. Keeping your teeth healthy, and in your mouth, will also enhance your facial appearance and trim years off your look.
Details: For more insights about how to aesthetically refresh your look – follow Dr Sheryl Smithies @sheryl_smiledr
Four must-use ingredients if you’re serious about your skincare
Winter is a time to rethink your skincare. And it’s an even better time to think about what skincare ingredients might help reverse some of the repercussions of all that summer fun. We found out what Exuviance’s top suggestions are …
- Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that works hard to fight free radicals that can significantly damage our skin. The new Exuviance Vitamin C Tone Correcting Serum is powered by three antioxidants that assist in correcting, protecting and revealing brighter and firmer-looking skin and a more even tone and texture. R847.
- Hyaluronic acid is a key skincare ingredient which not only helps retain moisture but also helps plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can find HA in Exuviance’s Total Correct Eye, R1596, and Total Correct Hydrate, R1475.
- Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, benefits those suffering from acne and eczema as well as treats hyperpigmentation. It calms and soothes, helps with moisturising and strengthening the skin barrier and also helps with brightening and discolouration, making it an excellent option for those with dark circles. Try Exuviance Brightening Serum which brightens, exfoliates and reduces the appearance of dark spots brought on by ageing and overexposure to the elements. R797.
- Retinol … the purest form of vitamin A, this is a cell-communicating ingredient and antioxidant that stimulates collagen, activates cellular metabolism to encourage faster cell turnover, fades brown spots and discolouration, and improves skin firmness. It is one of the most studied and proven ingredients on the market and truly can create permanent change for the look of the skin. Simply put, it’s an anti-ageing powerhouse! Exuviance Retinol Serum reverses signs of ageing, revealing a smoother skin texture and tone and a more youthful complexion. R1377.
All of these are not tested on animals. Visit Exuviance.co.za for your nearest stockist.
Two pots of promise
Boasting innovation like no other, with a cutting-edge anti-ageing solution using the technology of regenerative medicine and stem cell biotechnology, Lamelle Refirm Elixir Cream is a luxurious, velvety-textured moisturiser, and is a potent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and pigment-inhibiting powerhouse! It effectively, and rapidly, diminishes the appearance of ageing from the skin. It’s a good-sized 50ml, and you use day and night (and can be used on the eye area as a treatment, too. R2990 from lamelle.co.za
For established wrinkles, sagging facial contours and a shot of intense nutrition, we love Filorga’s Global-Repair Multi-Revitalising Nutritive Balm. Crammed with incredible ingredients – including peptides, which give your skin extra collagen, and hyaluronic acid which help with moisture and fine lines, it targets the 10 main signs of aging … Density, firmness, wrinkles, radiance, elasticity, facial contours, volume, tone, evenness and nutrition. R1300 from www.absoluteskin.co.za – for more stockists and deets visit filorgasouthafrica.co.za
