As a certain Big Day looms ever closer, I've amped up my regime with anti-ageing serums and nourishing oils, but topical products can only go so far to help with the signs of ageing.
Although I don't have any deep-set wrinkles yet, I have fine lines around my eyes, and on my forehead, which I'm probably most conscious of when I look in the mirror.
I've been throwing everything and the kitchen sink at trying to reduce the appearance of the lines and get an all-round smoother complexion, but haven't been too blown away by results.
Collagen Wave
Going to extreme lengths like having Botox or fillers never really crossed my mind, but when I heard about the Collagen Wave treatment, which is totally non-invasive, it immediately appealed to me.
While Botox freezes the muscles to help smooth out deep-set wrinkles, Collagen Wave uses radio frequency combined with ulstrasound waves to hear up the deeper layers of the skin to promote the production of new collagen. Sounds scary? I was a little apprehensive at first, but therapist Nicola at The Lash Lounge in Rathfarnham put my mind at rest and assured me it wasn't a painful treatment at all.
I was pleasantly surprised by how relaxing it was – the treatment involves first cleansing of the skin, then a gel is applied to help the Collagen Wave probe slide around your skin. Nicola uses the probe in upward motions to encourage tightening of the skin, concentrating on my forehead, eyes and brow area, but also spending time on my neck and cheeks.
The heat gradually builds over the 45 minute time-slot, but it never got uncomfortable or painful in any way. In fact if I hadn't been chatting so much I probably would have drifted off to sleep. However the treatment might be more uncomfortable for older women whose skin is thinner, particularly on the forehead area.
After the 45 minutes were up, Nicola applied an SPF and handed mirror to inspect the result, and I was impressed. My skin looked fresher, more radiant and definitely smoother. This isn't a dramatic change, but one which has definitely made a difference for me. Although I saw an improvement after one treatment, a course of three is recommended for maximum benefits, followed by maintenance sessions.
At €170 a treatment, this is going to be something that is prohibitively expensive for most, but if you are looking into non-invasive anti-ageing treatments and don't mind investing your hard-earned cash, this could be a good option.
30 Minute Eye Lift
A similar but more targeted treatment is the 30 Minute Eye Lift at River Medical. This is also a non-invasive treatment using radio frequency which it really time efficient. You could easily fit one in on your lunchbreak if you were so inclined!
This is a relaxing, gentle treatment using a hand-held device which is rolled over the eye area in upward motions to produce a lifting affect. It gently heats up the lower layers of the skin to stimulate the body's natural renewal process and produce new collagen.
The treatment feels very pleasant and afterwards I was impressed by the results. My skin just looked fresher and brighter, and any fine lines I have around the outer-eye area were definitely smoother.
There's no downtime whatsoever, my skin wasn't even red after the treatment, I just looked like I'd had a good night's sleep and was well rested. This is something I rarely can attest to without a generous application of makeup!
This could particularly be of interest to those who are self-conscious about their eye area and wish to do something in addition to applying undereye makeup to address fine lines.
Meso Vytal
Over the past six months I've had five Meso Vytal facials at skincare expert Elaine Butler Doolin's salon Bespoke Beauty in Donnybrook which had made a big difference to the texture and appearance of my skin. It's a micro needling system that deliver skin-loving ingredients deep into the skin for maximum results.
There are three serums in the Meso Vytal range, which are chosen for your specific skin needs. Meso Vytal Med is for wrinkle reduction and increased collagen production, Meso Vytal Fresh to provide young skin with essential nutrients and Meso Vytal Pure to enhance dull, dry mature skin.
Elaine has been using the Meso Vytal Fresh for my skin and I've been really impressed with the results. My skin glows for days after the treatment and looks really plumped out. Best of all, I've noticed a reduction in the acne scarring on my cheeks, as well as the pigmentation on my forehead.
It's a fantastic, results-driven facial that can be targeted for many different skin concerns.
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