It's not only the baby boomer generation that seem to be interested in maintaining a youthful vitality; studies have shown that people in their 20s and 30s believe in the benefits of proactive preventive maintenance when it comes to wellness and their looks. 

Since 1997, non-surgical cosmetic procedures have increased 471 percent, resulting in a multibillion-dollar market that did not exist a decade ago. While these procedures meet our demands in helping to maintain our youthful attractiveness, there is very little research to assess their long-term side-effects.

A multitude of thermally enhanced treatments have been formulated to force the production of collagen, primarily to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkling: intense pulse light, laser treatments, thermage, photo facials, microdermabrasion and ultra sonic radio waves. However, they all induce a thermal injury. These treatments result in localized bulk heating of the dermis and epidermis; there is a significant wound healing response that will generate fibroblasts to produce collagen to heal wounds and calm inflammation. All light treatments that create inflammation are considered thermal-collagen enhancement.

Thermally enhanced collagen procedures are specific in that they will reduce signs of aging for a brief period of time; however, collagen production is short lived and repetitive treatments are needed to maintain results. The heat shock signals are well documented, along with wound healing responses and side effects such as scar tissue and pigment changes. There seems to be very little, if any discussion about the side affects of repetitive thermal exposure.

According to Dr. Leonard Hayflick, a faculty member at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School and past president of the Gerontological Society of America, studies have shown that over-stimulation and inflammation will gradually eliminate the life expectancy of the stem cell, causing DNA irregularities. In 1961, Hayflick found that human cells or fibroblasts only divide approximately 50 times before ceasing to function correctly. This finite number has come to be known as the Hayflick limit.

As a result of these uncertainties and potential dangers, many skin care practitioners are turning to a non-invasive procedure of photo-modulation instead of thermal stimulation to accelerate the natural production of collagen. Photo-dynamic LED (light emitting diodes) differs in that it does induce inflammation; rather it utilizes the photo-activation of collagen genes to boost natural collagen production in the skin, resulting in a supple firmer and more youthful appearance. 

Founder of New Visage, Karen V. Bowers has 33 years of experience throughout Canada, US and Europe. She has received many certificates for advanced anti-aging and noninvasive medical treatments. She has also trained in France and received the highest international certificate of Esthetics available for the five-year CIDESCO program.

To learn more about medically advanced treatments and products visit the website at www.newvisage.ca. To book an appointment, call New Visage Advanced Skin Care and Anti-Aging at (604) 893-8872 or e-mail kbowers@newvisage.ca.

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