Definition of aging keeps evolving because of the improvement in anti-aging medicine. The fear of growing old has fuelled the beauty industry to worth several billions a year. The question has long been asked: Do anti-aging creams actually work? If so, are they better than dermal fillers?
We get the inside scoop from Dr. Siew Tuck Wah from Radium Medical Aesthetics in Singapore to give us his views on both anti-aging creams and dermal fillers.
WHAT ARE DERMAL FILLERS?
Most dermal fillers offered by aesthetic clinics in Singapore are made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA). HA is a compound that occurs naturally in our bodies. As we grow older, our bodies start to produce less HA in our skin, making the skin look crepey and wrinkled.
HA dermal fillers introduce HA back into the body by administering them directly into the affected area. It does so by replacing lost volume to the skin.
Different types of HA dermal filler have different viscosity and work differently to achieve the desired outcome. They have been developed to address a wide range of indications including dull complexion, saggy skin, flat nose, depressed scars, wrinkles, and eye bags.
HOW DO ANTI-AGING CREAMS WORK?
Anti-aging creams are predominantly moisturizers to reverse signs of aging by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Some high-end anti-aging creams are also formulated to treat skin laxity, pigmentation, and poor texture.
Effective over-the-counter skincare creams takes about 3 to 6 months of regular use to see visible results.
However, anti-aging creams work only on the superficial layers of the skin, plumping up the skin immediately - temporarily.
DERMAL FILLERS VS ANTI-AGING CREAMS: PROS AND CONS
PATHWAY The doctor uses a fine needle to administer HA dermal fillers directly under the skin to replace lost volume and plump up wrinkled, saggy skin. Results can be seen immediately although there may be some swelling and redness after the treatment.
On the other hand, anti-aging creams are applied directly on the skin. For people with can remember what they learned in biology class in school, the skin acts as a natural protective barrier to keep irritants and harmful substances out of our bodies, and that includes the exorbitant anti-aging creams you apply.
FREQUENCY Dermal fillers are often a one-time treatment to address the underlying issues. Dermal fillers can usually last up to 8 to 12 months before it gets resorbed by the body.
Anti-aging creams require long-term commitment before you can see visible results. 3 to 6 months of regular use of anti-aging creams is necessary to see some results. The use of anti-aging cream is a lifelong commitment. If you stop using it, signs of aging will appear again in no time.
CONTENTS Dermal fillers immediately replenishes the skin’s hyaluronic acid, stimulates collagen, acts as a scaffold to create a more youthful look by augmenting facial features. If injected by an experienced doctor, a dermal filler treatment can instantly rejuvenate the face and fill up lines and folds on the face.
Anti-aging creams often don’t contain enough of the “good stuff”. One of the most effective ingredients in anti-aging creams is retinol. It causes skin cells to renew more quickly, giving rise to a youthful-looking appearance. However, it may irritate the skin, causing it to become red. While some OTC anti-aging creams contain some retinol, the percentage of retinol is so tiny that it has little beneficial effects on the skin. This is because retinol is a regulated drug and it can only be prescribed by a doctor.
WRINKLE TREATMENT Dermal fillers is one of the most convenient and fastest ways to plump up the skin. Doctors use dermal fillers to fill up nasolabial folds, marionette lines, tear trough, and deep forehead and neck lines.
Most anti-aging creams do indeed contain some vitamins and other goodness, but they contain mostly moisturizing agents, which makes the skin smoother and firmer. It is crucial to apply the creams religiously in order to achieve long-lasting results.
LONG-LASTING YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE “Although we recommend that you repeated dermal filler treatments every 6 to 8 months to maintain the initial appearance, they can usually last for up to 12 months,” says Dr. Siew.
“Furthermore, there are collagen-stimulating dermal fillers such Radiesseand Ellanse that can stimulate your body to produce more collagen in the treated area. This means that the more you undergo the treatment, the longer the result will last. Dermal fillers are best for treating visible wrinkles.
On the other hand, anti-aging skincare creams are great for preventing wrinkles. They contain vitamins, which if applied regularly, can do wonders for your skin.
Radium Medical Aesthetics is an aesthetic clinic in Singapore that offers dermal filler treatments using a wide range of HA fillers and collagen fillers such as Radiesse, Ellanse, and Sculptra.
At Radium Medical Aesthetics, we aim to help you achieve a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that promotes a better quality of life. We help to invigorate you to make that change, through in-house proprietary medical aesthetic solutions, specially tailored to suit your needs.
Medical aesthetic treatments we offer such as lasers, non-invasive skin-lifting, filler injections, botox, thread lifts and chemical peels are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and/or Conformité Européene (CE) marked. We also offer medical facials and RadiumTM – our proprietary skin care range, both specially designed to work synergistically with your treatments and give you the best possible outcome you wish to achieve.
Our experienced team of nurses and therapists is led by Medical Director Dr. Siew Tuck Wah. Dr. Siew has been practicing aesthetic medicine for more than ten years, making him currently one of the most sought-after doctors offering safe and effective medical aesthetic treatments.
Dr. Siew has a keen interest in non-invasive medical aesthetic procedures for facial contouring and rejuvenation. We understand that many of our clients are looking for maximum results with minimum downtime. Ensuring positive results with your safety in mind is our priority.
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