Dr Kristy Lau presents her advice for treating patients in their twenties
The demand for cosmetic enhancement amongst the younger population is growing. In fact, a recent study from Real Self suggested that 62% of 18-34-year-olds were thinking about having a non-surgical treatment within the next 12 months, compared to 28% of the 35+ age group. Close to half of millennials (44%) were also considering a surgical treatment as opposed to 14% of the over 35s.1 Dr Kristy Lau, aesthetic practitioner and medical director of Yuchi Medical, says, “Many patients now request simply to ‘freeze their skin age’ rather than changing anything and so now, more than ever before, prevention is absolutely better than cure.”
She explains, “Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found naturally in the bones, muscles, tendons, and in our skin. In our late 20s, our collagen production starts to decline by around 1% a year,2 due to both internal and external factors, such as smoking, UV light, and our diets. Alongside an effective skincare regimen and healthy lifestyle, radiofrequency treatments like Thermage FLX can help to rebuild this lost collagen3 to result in healthier, more resilient skin that looks plump. What’s more, Thermage FLX is also the only treatment available in the UK that has received the CE mark for treating the eye area with radiofrequency and has been cleared by the FDA in the US for the same indication – an area of the fact that often shows the signs of ageing first.”
Radiofrequency as a treatment for preventative ageing
While, traditionally, ablative lasers were the primary mechanisms to improve skin laxity non-surgically, by injuring the epidermis and causing dermal collagen4 remodelling and second skin tightening, these treatments came with associated risks such as burns, scarring and dyspigmentation.5 Thermage FLX is the latest generation of monopolar radiofrequency system which offers an effective6 and well tolerated7 treatment for those wishing to pause the signs of ageing. “I think that Thermage FLX is an incredibly effective6 treatment. It relies on a fluctuating current of electricity to create heat which in turn is then delivered at specific temperatures to the tissues of the face. It’s this controlled heat that helps to stimulate the production of new collagen.3 Collagen is a natural protein in the body which gives our skin the firmness and elasticity that we associate with looking youthful,” explains Dr Lau. She adds, “The cost for Thermage FLX is arguably the same as purchasing expensive facial products where there is often limited or no clinical backing behind their effectiveness. This is a completely non-invasive treatment which needs to be carried out only once a year.6”
What is Thermage FLX?
Thermage FLX is different to anything else available in the marketplace at the moment because it’s the only radiofrequency treatment that requires a single treatment3 as opposed to a full course. Thermage FLX is also a non-invasive solution.
The procedure offers significant clinical improvement with few potential side effects8 and little to no downtime,7 so patients can quickly return to their normal routine. In addition, Thermage FLX has demonstrated a good safety profile.7 The treatment can be used on all skin types9 and can be carried out all year round. Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency technology to heat the deeper, collagen-rich layers of the skin to offer a deep rejuvenation of tissues. Thermage FLX works across the entire face, including forehead, eyes, nasolabial folds, jaw line, jowls, and the area under the chin, as well as on the arms, buttocks, tummy and thighs. It can be used at different ages, in men and women.
