Keeping Your Skin Firm As You Age II - Treatments and Cosmetics

The two most promising treatments for firming the skin are plasma and radio frequency technologies. Plasma technology uses a high frequency to create plasma from nitrogen gas. The substance is then used to heat some layers of skin to combat the signs of aging, including wrinkles and loss of definition.

The FDA has approved the technology for certain uses, but its long term effectiveness is still a mystery. For a much lessninvasive option, radio frequency technologies show promise. They keep the skin intact but usually require multiple treatments to be effective.

Another popular way to firm sagging skin is to fill it in with a substance that allows it to look plump and strong. Instead of trying to grow new collagen, you can have your dermatologist inject a collagen solution into the sagging area to firm it up almost instantaneously.

Similarly, your doctor can perform a "fat graft", a procedure by which fat from another area of your body is harvested and injected into the sagging area. Recently, hyaluronic acid injections have also become very fashionable and some argue, very effective as fillers.

Laser treatments have also gained popularity because the lack of a prolonged recovery and their affordability. There are two specific types of lasers (carbon dioxide and erbium: YAG) that belong to the category known as ablative lasers. These lasers are potent enough to burn through the epidermis and into the dermis, encouraging new tissue growth. While quite effective, this option requires the most amount of care following the procedure.

More recently, fractionated ablative lasers have been developed in order to expedite the recovery of the patient. These lasers are very targeted and useful to be used on just the affected parts of the skin. Yet another class of newer lasers, called non-ablative, is becoming increasingly popular. They work by boosting collagen production in the deeper areas of the skin. Once again the post procedure recovery is shortened and side effects (such as redness or bruising) are considerably minimized.

At-home treatments are a very widespread option that's growing in acceptance. It requires less of a monetary investment and the individual has the opportunity to receive treatment in the convenience of his or her own home. "Cosmeceutical" is the hot buzzword for products that bridge the gap between regular cosmetics and more involved medical procedures.

Many companies are now making some pretty inventive claims regarding their products. As a consumer you have to remember that the FDA is not yet regulating these new "cosmeceuticals". Miracle solutions are not likely to be effective, and information is the best tool that we have in order to even out the plain field in an otherwise unbalanced industry.

Valerie Rosenbaum is an expert author on the subject of anti wrinkle creams. She recommends only natural products that use ingredients like defendyourskin.com Cynergy TK, Functional Keratin and Phytessence Wakame.

She has been researching skin firming products for many years. The products she recommends use defendyourskin.com Cynergy TK to instantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles while nourishing the skin with Functional Keratin. Visit her website to learn more.