When it comes to reversing the signs of ageing and fixing our imperfections, we tend to focus on the face, forgetting about the neck and decolletage. Actually, the neck and decolletage area deserves just as much attention because the skin here is much more delicate, it is often left unprotected from the sun and is usually under moisturised. Not only do these areas suffer the effects of ageing like the rest of the skin, but they are also damaged by external factors and a lack of being properly cared for. Treating these areas and giving the skin here a boost can give you a more youthful look and help to balance and freshen your face.
There are two different treatments available for the neck and decolletage area, both are designed to make the skin more youthful and healthier. These treatments are:
1. Skin Boosters
2. Micro-Needling
Skin boosters are an injectable treatment that provides you with a deep skin hydration. They are designed to encourage a natural glow and radiance. Although this is a relatively new treatment concept, it is becoming more popular over recent years.
These skin boosters are made from hyaluronic acid gel, however, they do not act in the same way as dermal fillers do. This is because the boosters are made from a lightweight hyaluronic acid gel which is then administered into the skin layers to hydrate the skin and stimulate new collagen production.
Skin boosters usually last about 6 to 12 months.
The Process:
Skin boosters are an injectable and are administered in the same way as a filler would be. Under a local anaesthetic, injected through small needles into the necessary areas, with no recovery time. The process is quick, easy and painless.
Micro-needling, otherwise known as collagen induction therapy is a procedure that encourages your body to make more collagen and elastin. Using tiny, sterilised needles, the skin is prickled causing tiny wounds that prompt your body to produce collagen and elastin. Both collagen and elastin heal the skin, they also make it look more youthful.
Micro-needling can help with:
-Reduce skin elasticity
-Scars
-Stretch Marks
-Sun damage
-Fine lines and wrinkles
-Dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation)
-Large pores
-Acne
The Process:
After a local anaesthetic, the micro-needling device which looks like a pen in shape and has small, sterilised needles, will be used to treat the required areas. The device will be moved around the areas making small cuts into the skin, which can cause some bleeding. These cuts are tiny and heal relatively quickly. As the cuts are healing the body will produce collagen and elastin and you will start to see the results of the procedure. Micro-needling can be used on other areas of the body too, including the face, stomach and thighs.
Micro-needling isn’t an immediate difference and some people do need more than one treatment before the start to see a difference. The recovery time is a little longer for micro-needling because the procedure creates tiny holes in the skin, these holes can take days or weeks to fully heal, depending on your body. The risk of infection is very low, especially if you use a clinic who ensure their equipment is properly sterilised. Like with Skin Boosters, you will see some redness, bruising and swelling, with micro-needling this could last for a few days and you may also experience some dry, flaky skin in the area, light bleeding, and following the procedure, some very minor pain.
This procedure can be carried out every 4-6 weeks. The results last between 3 and 5 months.
