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Appearance Medicine

Sagging skin

A few attractive wrinkles can give us character, especially the crinkles at the corner of our eyes which are associated with smiling.
However when sagging appears, sadly it rarely enhances our faces. Sagging can make us look tired, sad or unapproachable when in reality we feel very different inside. Luckily, it can usually be improved quickly and simply, thanks to our team of Appearance Medicine experts.
A few attractive wrinkles can give us character, especially the crinkles at the corner of our eyes which are associated with smiling.
However when sagging appears, sadly it rarely enhances our faces. Sagging can make us look tired, sad or unapproachable when in reality we feel very different inside. Luckily, it can usually be improved quickly and simply, thanks to our team of Appearance Medicine experts.

Causes

As we reach our 40’s, ageing changes to facial fat and bone can cause saggy jowls, a downturned mouth and tired shadows under our eyes. There is a cascade effect: our chin rotates upwards, our lips shrink by collapsing inwards, and the bones beside our nose retreat backwards into our face. You might notice this even more if you lose weight.

Levels of collagen and elastin in the skin also reduce with age, especially if we have been sun worshippers. Sun-damaged skin is less elastic and less able to cope with changes happening deep under the skin, making the creases and hollows of a sagging face more evident.

Ways we can help

Hyaluranon dermal fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane® and Belotero® are the most effective non-surgical treatment for sagging skin. Placing small amounts of dermal filler at key points in the face, such as the cheeks and chin, and even unexpected places like in front of the ears, supports areas losing volume and results in a subtle lift. This can reduce the jowls and hollows under the eyes, supporting the corners of the mouth, giving your face a happier, fresher look.

The “8 Point Approach” to placing dermal fillers is specifically designed to address sag. At Skin Institute we use the latest and safest techniques to deliver a natural looking result.

Botulinum toxin can also be used “off label” to gently relax the downwards pull of selected muscles in the face, allowing the skin to release upwards. This can help sharpen the jawline and lift the corners of the mouth.

Whilst skin creams can’t reverse sagging, a comprehensive skin care plan to protect your skin from the sun and encourage maximum collagen production is a powerful way to help maximize other treatments. We use powerful medical grade skin care to activate your own repair processes, encouraging faster cell turnover for better looking skin.

To find out if these treatments are right for you, book a consultation with one of our friendly Appearance Medicine nurses. Your nurse will discuss your concerns with you and create a personalised treatment plan to suit your goals and budget.

For some patients, surgery is the best option. Because we are a multi-disciplinary business, your Appearance Medicine nurse can refer you onto one of our skilled surgeons.

Next steps for booking a treatment…

  • Book online or call 0800 754 637

    The team will be able to assist you with a booking at your nearest Skin Institute clinic offering treatments to effectively restore sagging skin.

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Easy ways to pay

At Skin Institute, we accept cash, Eftpos or credit cards. There are also easy ways to spread your payments with QCard or Afterpay.

Pricing

Juvederm Ultra™ & Juvederm Ultra Plus™ are medical devices Class III for the filling of medium size and deep facial wrinkles by injection into the skin and for creating definition and volume in the lips. Contains 24mg/mL. cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Juvederm has risks and benefits. Cautions: Use in an area that has been treated with another dermal filler, people with autoimmune disease, or who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 years of age or have an increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring. People on blood thinning medicines. Possible side effects: injection site inflammatory reactions (redness/swelling, itching/pain on pressure) induration or nodules; discolouration; weak filling effect. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. Product and treatment costs will apply. Note: Juvederm treatment lasts about 12-24 months. For product information check with your doctor or product information at Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

Restylane® is a gel containing hyaluronic acid and lidocaine that is injected by a healthcare professional into or below the skin to smooth facial wrinkles and enhance lips by restoring volume and fullness. Restylane is a Class III medical device and has risks and benefits. Restylane® treatment may result in some redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, itching and/or bruising which may last a few days. Inflammatory reactions can begin up to two to four weeks after treatment in rare cases. See your healthcare professional if any side effects concern you. Exposure to excessive sunlight or extreme cold should be avoided until redness or swelling has resolved. Restylane® should not be used in an area where there is a non-resorbable implant or in irritated or infected skin, Restylane® should not be used in people taking blood thinning medicines or who have an allergy to hyaluronic acid, lidocaine or other local anaesthetics. Caution if you take medicines that prolong bleeding time. Treatment lasts 12-24 months. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOU ARE GIVEN. Galderma, Auckland. Distributed by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland

Belotero® is a Class III medical device to smooth facial wrinkles and folds, correct facial atrophic scars, restore of enhance the lips or restore facial volume. Belotero has risk and benefits. Ask your specialist if Belotero is right for you. Contains transparent cross-linked sodium hyaluronate gel of non-animal origin with lidocaine 0.3% to reduce local pain. Do not use if you have a skin inflammation or a skin infection or until the infection is healed. Precautions. There is a risk of infection. Tell your doctor if you are on blood-clotting medicines as there could be an increased risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Possible side effects: swelling, bruising, redness hardening of the skin, pain, altered colour or itching. Lasts 6-12 months. You will need to pay for this product and doctor’s fees apply. Merz, Sydney. Distributed by Healthcare Logistics, Auckland

Botox® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet round the eyes. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox is right for you. If you have side effects, see your doctor. You will need to pay for Botox® and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz . Botox® treatment lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals. Contains botulinum toxin A 50,100 & 200 units. Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland.

Dysport® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s fee round the eyes. Dysport has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor is Dysport is right for you. If you have side effects see your doctor. You will need to pay for Dysport, and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz Dysport lasts about 4-6 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals. Contains 500 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin. Galderma (NZ) Limited, Auckland.