If you want to know how to look younger, you may find you’re in need of a cosmetic or facial treatment to give you a little helping hand. At Lighthouse Dental Practice, we are known for our work on various procedures which can help you turn back time. So, if you are looking for ways in which to reverse some of the signs of ageing, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Our dental practitioner Dr Tocca at our Ipswich practice in Suffolk explains how these all work:
We can now offer you a revolutionary new facial aesthetics procedure called PRGF®(Plasma Rich in Growth Factors). This uses remarkable technology, which has been developed by the BTI, (BT Bio-Technology) is called the PRGF®-Endoret® technique. However, this procedure is so versatile, it can be used to reverse the signs of ageing, it can help skin rejuvenation and hair growth, it can promote painless healing and bone regeneration and even reduce nerve pain.
If you are concerned about what this new treatment involves, let us help to put your mind at rest. We simply take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, just as you would expect from a normal blood test. Then, we use a centrifuge to separate the blood into its components. As a result, we take clinically effective fractions from these components, which help to regenerate the tissues. Secondly, we will ask whether you would like them to numb the points where they will then inject the plasma into your skin. In fact, the treatment takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours so it’s a relatively quick procedure. So, you can ask for a time estimate beforehand as this will depend on how many areas or how large the area is to be treated. If you need to choose specific areas to help you on your anti-ageing journey, you could for example pick facial and neck-lines, the scalp for hair generation and/or the back of your hands. However, you can also use the PRGF®-Endoret® technique for socket preservation in preparation for a future implant following tooth extraction.
There is no risk of rejection, which can occur with other anti-ageing treatment methods, because this method is 100% Autologous (we use your own tissues) so you are providing and receiving your own ‘growth factors’. External additives are not used in this technique and there’s no need to worry about losing the character in your face as your facial expressions will remain. In addition, you can benefit from increased skin consistency and wrinkle reduction, so this could be the perfect solution, if you want to know how to look younger.
In fact, the actual procedure is not only relatively quick, but the results are too. So, you should find noticeable effects around 24 hours later, which will increase following further sessions. We tend to suggest more sessions with further maintenance treatments, within the first three months depending on your individual skin type and age. We recommend three sessions in the first three months, however we initially provide you with a 15- minute consultation, which is free of charge. You can expect to pay from £450 for one treatment (Therapeutic Process) or £1,200 for a course of three. Following this, treatment sessions tend to be between one to three per year, depending on your age and skin type. Our clinician will inform you our your most appropriate treatment according to your unique profile. In fact, we charge for each individual session on an appointment by appointment basis. 0% finance is available, however this is subject to status.
We offer these injections to fill wrinkles and creases in the skin. This is a popular method, which can also be used to increase the volume and definition of the lips and cheeks, for those who want a solution for how to look younger. In fact, the fillers are made from a variety of materials and the effects can be either temporary or permanent. But this will depend on the filler type. If you’re considering dermal fillers, we always recommend that you need to be certain about why you want them first. If you’re wondering how much money you may need to part with, you can expect to pay from £150 to £300 per session for facial fillers, which depends on the amount of product used.
Our dentists or nurse can provide a local anaesthetic cream or injection first. We will then inject the filler in a series of small injections and we may massage the area. So, you may find that each treatment feels uncomfortable but it won’t be painful; this can take from 30 minutes to one hour. You’ll find that most fillers aren’t permanent. In addition, there is no guarantee that you will achieve the desired effect. Also, you’ll need to bear in mind that the ageing process will still happen in areas we are unable to inject, such as the eyelids. Afterwards, the area may be a little swollen, feel tender and look red for 24 hours. In addition, during that time, we may advise you to avoid coffee, alcohol, hot drinks and the sun.
We believe that risks will depend on whether the procedure is carried out correctly (which is why it’s important to ensure you check your practitioner’s credentials) and the type of filler, which is used. In fact, we know that permanent fillers carry the highest risk of developing problems and some practitioners feel they are best avoided.
This wrinkle reduction treatment can work on a whole host of areas on the face. From frown (glabellar) and forehead lines to nose and mouth (nasalabial) lines, not forgetting smile lines, crow’s feet and lip enhancements, these are a number of areas, which are perfectly suited to this treatment. However, if you’re considering these injections, which contain botulinum toxin, we want you to be certain about why you want them.
Injectable anti-ageing treatments are a quick and convenient way to smooth out those lines on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth, without the need for surgery. At Lighthouse Dental Practice, your dentist/nurse will inject small amounts of anti-ageing solution in the area of the wrinkles. This way, it works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles that are responsible for producing the wrinkling of the facial skin. Therefore, you can achieve a more youthful appearance with smoother, flatter skin. So, you will benefit from less obvious crow’s feet and frown lines. In fact, muscle relaxing injections can temporarily alter your appearance.
Although this method can achieve fantastic results, the effect isn’t permanent and there’s simply no guarantee that your desired effect will be achieved. Please bear in mind that the ageing process will still occur elsewhere. Sagging eyelids are one such example as previously mentioned because these injections can not fix this issue. In addition, for those of you who may have safety concerns, botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. Basically, this means that only an appropriately trained healthcare professional should prescribe and provide this method. So, you can expect treatment from a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, prescriber or nurse prescriber. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we will not administer botulinum injections. This is because the effects on a baby are unknown. It tends to cost from £150 to £350 per session for botulinum toxin injections, however this price depends on the amount and brand used.
Firstly, we must stress that the importance having a face-to-face consultation with your dentist. After all, they will be administering the anti-ageing injections. Secondly, we will want to discuss your medical history with you. This will include any medications you have or are currently taking so we can understand your health background. We will also want to know why you want this treatment before we go ahead. We believe it’s important to discuss your expectations, too. Thirdly, we don’t tend to use local anaesthetic. Instead, we will clean your skin. Then, we will inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into the facial muscles, earmarked for treatment. We tend to carry out several injections at different sites, which takes around ten minutes. These injections can be a little painful, however most people tolerate the discomfort well.
You’ll find the results are not instantaneous although some patients may experience treatment effect in 48 to 72 hours. In fact, most patients do not notice the full treatment effect till 7 to 14 days have passed. We always advise on a 30-day wait if you desire additional treatment. Also, we recommend that you avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas for up to three days. Then, you can enjoy the effects for around four to six months. In terms of the results, this will depend on your skin type, thickness and degree of wrinkling. Then, if you want to maintain the effect, you’ll need regular, follow-up injections.
You can only suffer from a frozen look when you have too many anti-aging injections in one area. However, we work under the strictest regulations in the UK, exceeding all mandatory and voluntary requirements. So, our Lighthouse Dental Practice dentists and nurse are qualified to prescribe the correct dosage and treatment frequency. In fact, we target only the small, specific muscles responsible for unwanted lines and wrinkles. So, this means your normal facial expressions will remain unaffected.
We will discuss the best plan for you to achieve your desired look.
We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.