Firm Up | The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Youthful and Firm Skin

Sagging skin can be a challenging issue to address, but with advancements in skincare technology, there are now more options than ever to help you achieve the youthful, radiant skin you desire. To get the inside scoop on the latest procedures that promise to firm, tighten and smooth sagging skin, we turned to Dr Kate Jameson, founder and medical director of Youth Lab, Australia’s leading medical aesthetics clinic specialising in non-surgical aesthetics and skin rejuvenation. 

As we step into 2023, it’s clear that the beauty world is shifting its focus towards natural enhancements and skin rejuvenation. The new mantra? Prevention and preservation. This year, the trend is all about taking a proactive and preventative approach to beauty, using lower doses of injectables and pairing them with energy-based treatments to achieve tighter, smoother skin with a natural and undetectable look. Thanks to advancements in technology, there are now more effective and affordable treatments available than ever before, with minimal downtime and risk.

Mono Threads 

Looking for a non-surgical facelift alternative that delivers real results? Enter PDO Mono Threads, the revolutionary treatment that’s taking the beauty world by storm. Made of dissolvable suture materials, these threads can be used for both skin rejuvenation and lifting sagging skin, offering a safe and effective way to achieve a tighter and firmer overall look.

But what exactly are PDO Mono Threads, and how do they work? These fine, thin threads are loaded into a needle and inserted into the skin, with the amount of Polydioxanone (PDO) in the thread determining the level of collagen stimulation. This makes them particularly effective for treating superficial imperfections like fine lines and improving facial contour and smoothness. But the real magic of PDO Mono Threads lies in their ability to provide support and stimulate collagen in the skin over time, resulting in a slow breakdown rate and long-lasting results. And with different types of threads suited to different areas of the face and body, you can customize your treatment to target your specific concerns.

Bio-remodelling Injections 

Looking for a cutting-edge anti-ageing treatment that can rejuvenate, hydrate, and stimulate collagen production? Look no further than this new injectable treatment, designed to essentially bio-hack the skin’s ageing process and stimulate 4 types of collagen and elastin growth.

As we age, our stores of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin begin to deplete, leading to loss of skin hydration and firmness. But with bio-remodelling injections, we can slow down this process and keep our skin looking youthful and radiant. This innovative skin bio-stimulator goes beyond traditional injectables, changing the structure and function of the skin from within. With just one treatment, you can experience skin rejuvenation, collagen and elastin stimulation, and deep hydration.

Thanks to its high concentration of hyaluronic acid and cohesive nature, this product immediately starts to spread beneath the skin, with a highly effective injection technique (5x injection points per side of the face) that offers minimal downtime. The result? Improved skin condition and quality on the face, hands, neck, and decolletage, with restored firmness, hydration, and nourishment. 

Collagen Stimulator Injections

Our faces lose volume and structure as we age due to fat loss, ligament laxity, and changes to the bony skeleton of the face. Our skin also becomes looser and thinner leading to sagging. Collagen stimulator fillers can work to replace this lost volume, and tighten and revitalise the entire face, all in a single treatment. These treatments do not target specific deficits such as traditional dermal fillers but work to deliver natural and long-lasting results through the stimulation of collagen.

Collagen stimulators are a type of semi-permanent dermal filler made from Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), which stimulates the body’s collagen production to restore facial volume and improve skin structure. Collagen stimulators are best used for total facial rejuvenation and volume restoration. Once injected into the skin, the microparticles of PLLA work to stimulate collagen production over time, restoring structure and support of the skin and improving overall facial volume. The treatment will not drastically change your appearance, and results can last up to 3 years. 

Radio Frequency Microneedling

Radio Frequency Microneedling is a state-of-the-art technology that uses microneedles to release radiofrequency energy deep within the skin. Used to effectively tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles, reduce scarring and stimulate collagen production. It can be used all over the face and body and not only tightens and thickens the skin but can treat scarring, stretch marks and cellulite. 

The treatment works by delivering heat energy into the skin to remove damaged collagen and stimulate a wound response in the skin, which over time then produces a skin tightening effect that peaks over a 3 to 6-month period. The skin then synthesizes new collagen to thicken and add extra support to the skin. Adding microneedles to deliver heat energy amplifies the power and results of the treatments, essentially combining two treatments in one for optimal outcomes. The treatment shows significant initial results with ongoing improvement to the skin many months after completion of treatments. 

Ultrasound

Ultrasound treatments are taking the beauty world by storm, and for good reason. These low-risk treatments are incredibly easy to use and are quickly becoming one of the most popular methods to achieve flawless, youthful-looking skin. It delivers powerful and precise ultrasound energy deep into the skin, targeting even the subcutaneous tissue and the SMAS. As the energy is absorbed, it heats the deep layers of the skin, activating collagen and elastin production and creating a tightened effect. Unlike other treatments, ultrasound energy penetrates much deeper, resulting in a lifting effect that can only be described as a non-surgical facelift. The results are simply stunning, with visibly tighter skin and a beautifully contoured lower face.

Emface

This innovative treatment combines two powerful techniques to deliver optimal outcomes for those looking to tighten and tone the upper and mid-face areas. EmFace harnesses the power of radiofrequency heat energy and high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) to stimulate the muscles of the face, resulting in a smoother, more toned appearance. By improving muscle tone, the overlying skin appears firmer, tighter, and with fewer pesky wrinkles.

What sets EmFace apart from other non-surgical skin tightening treatments? It’s completely painless and requires zero downtime. That’s right, you can achieve a youthful, radiant glow without any discomfort or recovery period. It’s no wonder this revolutionary treatment is leading the way in advanced skin tightening, bridging the gap between injectables, energy-based treatments, and surgery.

Skincare

When it comes to skin tightening, one of the best methods is to target the main culprit behind skin sagging – UV radiation. To prevent skin laxity, you need to take preventative measures such as daily use of a broad spectrum SPF 50, protective accessories like hats, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours. Seeking shade is also a wise move to protect your precious skin.

But wait, there’s more! Topical antioxidants are another game-changing strategy to firm and tighten the skin. Vitamin C (or L-Ascorbic Acid) is a must-have ingredient for collagen synthesis and a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, protecting against the effects of UV radiation and environmental stressors. This makes it a fantastic preventative method for skin sagging, as oxidative stress can damage elastin and collagen in the skin.

Don’t forget that the key to maintaining skin integrity and firmness is through consistent at-home skin care and in-clinic treatments while your skin is still healthy. By incorporating these measures into your routine, you can avoid sagging and keep your skin looking smooth, taut, and radiant for years to come.

For more, visit youthlab.com.au! 

Try at home:

Societe Ultimate Eye Lift Serum, $229, advancedskin.com

Cosmedix Illuminate and Lift, $120, advancedskin.com

Cosmedix Affirm Antioxidant Firming Serum, $139, advancedskin.com

PCA Perfecting Neck Decollete, $139, advancedskin.com

Charlotte Tilbury, Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, $45