Aesthetic Treatments to Turn Back the Clock

Time, stress, lifestyle choices and sun exposure all take their toll on our faces and bodies so much so that sometimes what we see on the outside doesnt match how we feel on the inside.

Whether you want to erase lines and wrinkles, tighten loose skin, restore volume or regain that youthful glow, there are various treatments available that target all the different signs of ageing. Unlike the invasive facelifts of old, many of these procedures are non-surgical and dont require extended, or indeed any, downtime. Often, they can be performed in under an hour, so its possible to get a treatment in your lunch hour and get right back to your life, without anybody needing to know.

Please scroll to the bottom of this article to find a list of aesthetic treatment providers in Grand Cayman.

What Non-Surgical Treatments Are Available?

Botox

One of the most commonly performed rejuvenating procedures worldwide, Botox is a quick, safe and effective way to reduce visible lines and wrinkles. Botox (botulinum toxin) is a neurotoxin that, when injected into muscles, weakens or paralyses them. It is typically injected into muscles in the upper portion of the face, where it softens frown lines, crows feet and the lines between the eyebrows. It is administered using very fine needles and is relatively painless. Because Botox prevents your muscles contracting to form the creases that eventually become permanent lines, when used consistently, it can prevent new wrinkles forming. Results take a week or two to show fully.

Procedure time: 15-30 minutes
Downtime/side effects: Some light bruising is possible
Duration of result: 3-4 months
Anaesthetic used: Ice to cool the area, pre and post-injection
Approximate cost: CI$250-CI$500

Dermal fillers

As we age, facial tissue thins out and volume is lost, giving a hollowed out look. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to plump it up, smooth out lines and restore the contours of the face. Fillers are most commonly injected into the cheeks, nasolabial folds and lips.

Most fillers are formulations containing hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and plump, so it is well tolerated. There are numerous brands of dermal filler on the market, including Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra and Restylane, each offering different product lines for different applications. Your aesthetician will help you decide which is the most suitable filler depending on your skin type, age and areas to be treated.

Some results are visible immediately but the full effect takes up to four weeks to show. It is worth noting that some fillers are reversible (they can be dissolved by injecting another substance), if you are unhappy with the result. For those that are not, the body will reabsorb the filler over the course of several months.

Procedure time: 30-60 minutes
Downtime/side effects: Localised redness, bruising and swelling is possible, but settles in a few days
Duration of result: 6-24 months, depending on the filler
Anaesthetic used: None
Approximate cost: CI$500-CI$650

Profhilo

The most highly concentrated hyaluronic acid formulation on the market today, Profhilo is an injectable gel that works on a deeper level than dermal fillers. Rather than adding volume, it stimulates the production of four types of collagen and elastin, to improve the quality and laxity of the skin over the long term, resulting in a lifting effect.

Profhilo is administered using ultra thin needles at specific points on the face. It can also be used on the neck and décolletage. It requires two treatments, spaced four weeks apart and full results are not seen until four weeks after the second treatment.

Procedure time: 30 minutes
Downtime/side effects: Small bumps and/or bruises at the injection site may persist for a few hours
Duration of result: 6 months
Anaesthetic used: None
Approximate cost: CI$500+

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Originally developed to treat sports injuries and wounds, PRP uses your own platelets to accelerate the healing process.

The treatment involves drawing a small vial of your blood which is placed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the growth factors. These are then injected back into the area to be treated, triggering the body to repair damaged tissue. The treatment is sometimes combined with micro-needling (known as a 'vampire facial') which makes multiple tiny perforations in the skin that induce collagen production and help the PRP penetrate the skin. PRP is typically used to reduce scarring, uneven skin tone and fine lines, and can be used on the face, décolletage and stretch marks. It has also been found to be effective in preventing hair loss. Because it uses your own blood, and no pharmaceuticals are involved, there is no risk of rejection, making it very safe.

Results are visible after three weeks, with the best results appearing after three months.

Procedure time: 30-45 minutes. 2-3 sessions may be needed.
Downtime/side effects: Small bumps or bruises at the injection site may persist for a few hours. Bruising and redness when combined with micro-needling may last several days.
Duration of result: 6-18 months
Anaesthetic used: Topical anaesthetic may be applied
Approximate cost: CI$400-CI$550

Polydioxanone (PDO) Thread Lift

A PDO thread lift is a minimally-invasive alternative to a surgical facelift. PDO threads are made from medical grade suture material, which is engineered to be reabsorbed by the body over the course of several months. The procedure involves inserting a mesh of these ultra-fine, barbed threads below the skin, and pulling them to tighten the skin. The threads have a twofold effect however, as they also stimulate collagen production, which in turn restores volume and elasticity.

PDO threads can be used to lift the face, jawline, breasts, upper arms, abdomen and more. The best results appear around three weeks after the procedure.

Procedure time: 45-60 minutes
Downtime/side effects: A little bruising is possible for up to a week
Duration of result: 1-2 years
Anaesthetic used: Topical anaesthetic may be applied
Approximate cost: CI$500-CI$1,500

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels involve painting an acid solution onto the area of skin to be treated, usually the face, which removes the top layers of skin to reveal fresh, younger skin underneath. While these treatments can reduce fine lines, they will not tighten sagging skin. They are most effective at treating acne-prone and scarred skin, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores.

The chemicals used depend on the depth of the peel: light peels use salicylic acid, medium peels use glycolic or trichloroacetic acid and deep peels use phenol.

After a light peel, some flaking of the skin during the first week is normal as old skin is shed and new skin is uncovered. The procedure is usually repeated five or six times, two to four weeks apart, to achieve the desired results.

For deeper peels, the results are much more pronounced so one treatment is often sufficient. Recovery time, however, can take up to a month or more and may involve soreness, redness and crusting.

Procedure time: 30-90 minutes depending on the strength (deeper peels take longer)
Downtime/side effects: 1-4 weeks. Deeper peels result in more extreme after-effects
Duration of result: 2 months to several years, depending on the depth of the peel
Anaesthetic used: Local anaesthetic and/or sedative may be administered for deep peels
Approximate cost: From CI$125

Before You Book, Do Your Research

Although these treatments are non-surgical, that does not mean they are totally risk-free. We have all heard stories of botched cosmetic procedures, whether due to being carried out by unqualified individuals, or because they used 'cheap' chemicals or both. So before booking any kind of procedure, do your research.

First, make sure you know what the potential risks or complications of any treatment may be. Next, choose a reputable, well-established clinic. Most treatments (with the exception of some peels) can only be performed by medically qualified individuals, such as a surgeon, doctor, dentist or nurse, so make sure you know who will be administering the treatment and that they have the appropriate experience.

Before going ahead with a procedure, book a consultation. Reputable clinics generally offer free consultations so that you can discuss your desired results and the medical professionals can advise on the right treatment, or combination of treatments. Dont assume you know which treatment will work best for you, as it may depend on your age, skin type, body type, health and other factors.

Remember to keep your expectations realistic. These are not full face-lifts and you are not going to emerge from a one-hour treatment looking 20 years younger. Results are subtle and natural, and the full effect of the treatment may take several days or weeks to show.

While non-surgical treatments are relatively affordable hence their widespread popularity its important to note that the results are temporary, so maintaining the results will require regular touch-ups.

Aesthetics Clinics in the Cayman Islands

The following reputable aesthetics clinics listed below offer highly qualified and experienced doctors and practitioners.