THE ALAXIS GUIDE TO FACIAL TIGHTENING

As we journey through life, our faces inevitably reflect the passage of time, often manifesting in the form of sagging skin.

Over the years, our skin loses its elasticity, and key support structures like collagen and fat diminish, leading to a loss of firmness and youthful contours. However, there are new medical procedures to address these aesthetics concerns. From thread lifts and fillers to machine technologies, each approach offers benefits tailored to refresh facial appearance.

Understanding Why Skin Sags

Facial sagging is a natural consequence of aging, influenced by factors such as genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices. As we age, the supportive network of collagen and elastin fibres weakens, causing the skin to lose its resilience and begin to sag. The Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS), a critical layer of collagen tissue beneath the skin, plays a vital role in maintaining facial structure and firmness.

To illustrate, think of the face as a building:

• Ground Floor (Level 1): The skin’s surface, or epidermis.
• Basement One (B1): The dermis, housing blood vessels, hair follicles, and glands.
• Basement Two (B2): Subcutaneous fat layer providing cushioning and insulation.
• Basements Three to Five (B3-B5): The SMAS collagen layers, crucial for facial support and contours.

Limitations of Traditional Laser Energy

Traditional laser treatments predominantly target superficial skin concerns (B1). They utilise light energy to address issues such as pigmentation, fine lines, and minor imperfections. However, lasers cannot penetrate deeper layers (B3-B5) where essential structural support like the SMAS resides. For effective skin tightening beyond the surface, alternative approaches are necessary.

Utilising Ultrasound Waves for Deep Skin Tightening

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and similar technologies are popular options for non-invasive skin tightening by precisely targeting deeper layers of the skin. Unlike lasers, HIFU delivers focused ultrasound waves deep into the dermis and SMAS layers (B3-B5). This energy heats tissues to stimulate collagen production, initiating a natural tightening and lifting process. HIFU treatments are

celebrated for their ability to achieve results without surgery, making them a preferred choice for many individuals.

The Role of Thread Lifts in Facial Tightening

Thread lifting represents a minimally invasive technique for addressing sagging skin and enhancing facial contours. Fine threads made from biocompatible materials are strategically inserted into the skin to lift and support sagging tissues. The threads stimulate collagen production, further enhancing skin firmness and elasticity. Thread lifting is versatile, offering targeted improvements in areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and brows.

At Alaxis Medicare, we offer two types of thread lifts:

1. Anchored Cog Threads
2. Smooth PDO Threads

Anchored Cog Threads have tiny cogs strategically placed along the threads themselves. These cogs are first anchored to the area above the temple inside the hairline. Then, they are attached into the SMAS layer to provide an upward directional pull, lifting the lower and mid-face. This repositions sagging skin to give individuals a smoothed, youthful appearance.

Smooth PDO Threads work differently from Anchored Cog threads. They are placed in the same layer just above the SMAS under the skin but do not have an anchoring point, thus they do not provide directional lift. However, they stimulate collagen production along the threads, which supports weak areas of the skin and contracts to provide structural support. Smooth PDO Threads are typically used in highly mobile areas, such as those beside the mouth (such as the jowl area).

When these two kinds of threads are used together, we achieve an upward lift on the bulk of the cheeks, along with consolidation and structural support in the mobile areas of the lower and mid-face.

The Role of Fillers

Facial fillers play a critical role in restoring volume and structure lost due to aging. Products like Non-Animal Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid (such as Juvederm) and Calcium Hydroxylapatite-based fillers (sold in Singapore as AstheFill) effectively fill deep lines, wrinkles, and hollow areas. By strategically injecting fillers into key areas of the face, we can sculpt and contour for a more refreshed appearance.

Advanced Machine Technologies

Modern aesthetic machines at Alaxis Medicare offer solutions for concerns:

• SYLFIRM X: Utilises radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat deep skin layers, stimulating collagen production and tightening loose skin.
• Sofwave: Uses ultrasound technology at a lower frequency to target the dermis, promoting skin tightening and smoothing.
• HIFU: Utilises focused ultrasound waves to penetrate deep skin layers, specifically targeting the SMAS for significant lifting and tightening effects.

Synergistic Approaches

Drawing from our 20 years of expertise in aesthetics, we often combine different treatments to achieve synergistic results:

• HIFU with Fillers: Using HIFU to tighten skin and fillers to restore volume, achieving balanced and natural-looking results.
• Thread Lifts with Fillers: Complementing thread lifts with fillers to lift sagging tissues and volumise hollow areas.
• Sequential Treatments: Performing HIFU or radiofrequency treatments first to stimulate collagen, followed by fillers to enhance structure and volume.

At Alaxis Medicare, our approach focuses on educating patients rather than hard selling. We prefer to give individuals the choice to make informed decisions about their treatments, understanding how each method targets specific skin layers and addresses unique concerns to enhance facial harmony and self-confidence.

Contact the Alaxis Medicare team via WhatsApp: +65 81257655 to schedule a consultation and discover the ideal treatment solution for your facial tightening needs.