Lost that youthful glow? If you’re on the hunt for non-surgical collagen treatments for skin sag and eye bags, look no further. We look at three common signs of ageing and some non-surgical cures.
Ageing is an inevitable, albeit unwanted, part of life. Fears of wrinkles and sagging skin can strike deep into even the most tranquil of heart. However, what many people don’t know is that collagen plays a key role in maintaining youthful skin. Scientific advances around this important protein mean that you can age more gracefully – and with fewer wrinkles!
Why collagen is crucial to youthful-looking skin
Collagen is a protein produced naturally in your body and is the building block for skin firmness and elasticity. Unfortunately, collagen decreases at a rapid rate after we turn 30, and this means our skin loses volume and suppleness over time; and those with fairer skin tones are even more prone to ageing due to damage from the sun.
Don’t despair! Making good lifestyle choices such as eating and sleeping well, drinking less alcohol, not smoking and following an effective skincare regime can help prevent collagen loss. If you need a little extra help, there are plenty of proven treatments to boost your collagen production. And, happily, there’s no need to go under the knife.
3 signs of ageing due to collagen loss
We sat down with the highly experienced DR CHUA CHENG YU from Veritas Medical Aesthetics to learn more about three key indicators of ageing skin, and how to treat them without surgery.
#1 Sunken forehead and temples
Ever noticed a series of lines across your forehead and temples when you raise your eyebrows? They’re there because we lose collagen significantly around larger areas of our face as we age. While Botox can be a great option to minimise frown lines and crow’s feet, overuse can cause further volume loss. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking your temples, as treating this area will re-balance the triangle of youth in your face.
Dr Chua is the official regional trainer for Ellansé, a state-of-the-art collagen-stimulating dermal filler treatment. Superior to traditional hyaluronic acid-based filler treatments, Ellansé acts faster and lasts longer. It works via a two-step process: the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) gel carrier immediately lifts depressed areas of skin and the Poly-Caprolactone (PCL) microspheres simultaneously stimulate collagen. According to Dr Chua, it can last as long as three years if expertly administered.
GOURI is another liquid PCL injectable you may want to try. While Ellansé uses crosslinked PCL that promotes collagen production at precise injection areas, Gouri is non-crosslinked and spreads across the face to achieve an overall lift and glow.
#2 Dark eye circles and eye bags
Ever had a well-intentioned person asking if you’re tired when you’ve actually had a good night’s sleep? It may be that eye bags have set in. Dark eye bags are a complex condition that can have multiple causes including: pigmentation, vascular conditions and structural sunkenness. Collagen loss causes our under-eye to hollow out, resulting in dark circles. As we lose bone density and the orbital rim widens, eye bags start to form.
Thankfully, customised treatment is effective to remove these unwanted visitors. Veritas Medical Aesthetics has more than 18 unique lasers in its arsenal to salve a wide range of concerns non-invasively. The Fotona SmoothEye laser, for example, targets the root cause of the problem by tightening the septum structure under the eye bag.
Dr Chua also performs a highly sought-after technique that involves injecting Ellansé right above the bone layer to mimic the bone and provide support for eye bags, effectively removing them. No eye bags and no surgery – sounds pretty good to us.
#3 Nasolabial folds and sagging jowls
Sagging jowls can make you look ten years older. Why not turn back the hands of time with a minimally invasive Silhouette Soft and PDO Threadlift treatment? Known as the “lunchtime procedure”, it requires an incredibly short downtime and the results are immediate and long-lasting. The threads are dual action: they tighten sagging tissues and promote collagen production to bring bounce back to your skin.
Another traditional way to achieve a natural-looking facelift is with a range of temporary and semi-permanent dermal fillers. The hyaluronic acid (HA) in dermal fillers draws and fuses water molecules together to restore depleted skin. However, if you’re after more long-lasting and natural results,
Ellansé is a great alternative. It’s strategically injected, immediately lifting the sagging skin on your face. While HA fillers require a touch-up in six to nine months, Ellansé can last for more than two years. Even without future touch-ups, a one-off treatment of Ellansé stimulates your body to produce its own collagen.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is also a popular treatment to lift sagging skin. As the official trainer for HIFU, Dr Chua warns that it isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s important to have a consultation with a medical professional because if your skin drooping is due to volume loss, HIFU could worsen your problem.
Want to find out more about which treatments could address your personal ageing concerns? There are also minimally-invasive cures for thin lips and vaginal laxity you might want to consider.
#B2-35 Capitol Singapore, 13 Stamford Road
6283 3885 | veritas.com.sg
Fancy a spot of shopping post treatment? Read this article to hear all about some great local fashion brands we love.
Like this article and want to read more? You can purchase the latest issue of Expat Living Magazine or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.
By signing up, you’ll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.