Crepey Skin, Laxity and Loss of Glow – by Dr Raj Dhillon
There often comes a point when your skin simply does not look quite as fresh as it used to.
It may feel thinner around the eyes, the cheeks might look less firm, makeup may start sitting differently or your skin can look tired even when you are not. Sometimes there is no particular wrinkle that stands out. Instead, the whole face can start to look a little less smooth, bright or supported.
For some people the main concern is crepey skin. For others it is dullness, a softer jawline or skin that feels less firm than before. Often, it is a combination of several small changes happening at the same time.
At Revital Lab in Esher, Surrey, there are a number of treatments that can help improve skin quality, firmness and texture without necessarily changing the shape of the face.
The difficult part is usually knowing which treatment is suitable for which concern.
Why does skin start to look crepey or less firm?
Skin changes naturally over time, but ageing is not the only reason it can start to look different.
Sun exposure, dehydration, hormonal changes, weight loss and changes in collagen can all affect how the skin looks and feels.
Crepey skin usually looks thinner and slightly crinkled. It is commonly noticed around the eyes, cheeks, neck and décolletage.
Loss of firmness tends to look slightly different. You might notice that the cheeks feel less supported, the jawline looks softer or the lower face has started to feel looser.
Then there is dullness. The skin might not necessarily be loose or wrinkled, but it can look tired, dry or less healthy than it once did.
These concerns do not always need the same treatment, which is why it can be useful to look at the skin as a whole rather than simply choosing whichever treatment is currently popular.
Sunekos for tired, crepey or dehydrated skin
Sunekos is a popular option for people who feel that their skin has become thinner, drier or less elastic.
Rather than adding noticeable volume, the aim is to improve the quality of the skin itself. It can help with hydration, fine lines and skin that has started to look crepey or tired.
It is particularly useful around delicate areas such as the under eyes, where traditional filler may not always be the most appropriate option.
Sunekos can also be used across other areas of the face, neck, décolletage and hands depending on the concern.
For someone who wants their skin to look fresher and healthier without noticeably changing their facial features, this can be a good treatment to consider.
Read more about Sunekos at Revital Lab
Microneedling for texture and overall skin quality
Sometimes the issue is more about texture.
Pores may look larger, old acne marks can become more noticeable, the surface of the skin may feel less smooth or there may simply be a general feeling that the skin has lost some of its freshness.
SkinPen microneedling is designed to encourage the skin to repair and renew itself.
It can be used to improve skin texture, fine lines, pores and superficial scarring. It is also a treatment that works well for people who want to improve the overall condition of their skin rather than target one particular wrinkle.
Results are gradual, which is why a course of treatments is often recommended.
Microneedling with exosomes
Microneedling can also be combined with exosomes.
At Revital Lab, SkinPen microneedling can be paired with Ameela Exosomes for patients looking for a more advanced skin rejuvenation treatment.
This can be particularly useful when the main aim is to improve skin texture, brightness and overall skin quality.
It is often chosen by people who feel their skin looks dull, tired or uneven and want something that works on the skin as a whole.
Read more about Microneedling with Exosomes
JULÄINE and Sculptra for loss of firmness
If the concern is less about dry or dull skin and more about loss of firmness, a collagen stimulating treatment may be more suitable.
JULÄINE and Sculptra are both designed to encourage the skin to produce more collagen over time.
They are not the same as traditional dermal fillers. Instead of creating an immediate change to a specific feature, the results develop gradually.
This can make them particularly appealing to people who want their skin to look firmer and better supported but still want the result to look very natural.
JULÄINE may be considered when skin has started to feel thinner, less firm or slightly loose.
Sculptra can also be used where there has been a gradual loss of facial support and firmness.
It is often planned as a course rather than a single treatment, with improvements developing over the following weeks and months.
What is a Radiesse Collagen Wash?
Radiesse Collagen Wash is another option for people who feel that their skin has become less firm or more crepey.
The aim is not to create obvious volume. Instead, it is used more widely through the skin to help improve firmness and skin quality.
It can be particularly useful when the problem is not one specific wrinkle but a larger area of skin that feels thinner, looser or less elastic.
For someone who wants to improve the quality and firmness of the skin without changing the shape of the face, it can be another treatment worth discussing during a consultation.
What if the main problem is loose skin around the jawline?
Sometimes the concern goes beyond skin quality.
If there is more noticeable looseness around the lower face, jowls or under the chin, improving hydration or surface texture alone may not give the result someone is looking for.
EndoDefine is designed for concerns such as lower face laxity and loss of jawline definition.
It works at a deeper level than a skin booster or microneedling treatment, so it is more suited to people whose main concern is actual looseness rather than just dry, dull or crepey skin.
This is why it is useful to be clear about what is bothering you. Two people of the same age can have completely different concerns and may need completely different treatments.
Read more about EndoDefine at Revital Lab
Can these treatments be combined?
Yes, and in many cases a combination can make sense.
Skin ageing does not happen in just one place or at one level.
Someone may want to improve deeper firmness with Sculptra or JULÄINE but also work on skin texture with microneedling.
Another person may benefit from Sunekos around the eyes while using a different treatment for the lower face.
The important thing is that every treatment has a reason for being included.
Having more treatments does not automatically mean getting a better result. A good plan should focus on the concerns that matter most and build from there.
Skincare still matters
Clinic treatments can do a lot, but what you use on your skin every day also matters.
A skincare routine does not need to involve a huge number of products.
For many people, a simple routine with a good cleanser, targeted serum, moisturiser and daily SPF is a better place to start than buying lots of different products and not knowing what any of them are doing.
Products containing ingredients such as retinoids, antioxidants and hydrating ingredients may also be recommended depending on the condition of the skin and what you are trying to improve.
Good skincare can work alongside treatments such as Sunekos, microneedling and collagen stimulating treatments to help keep the skin in better condition between appointments.
Revital Lab also has a dedicated skin shop with professional skincare for concerns including ageing, pigmentation, dryness, sensitivity and general skin health.
Visit the Revital Lab Skin Shop
Which treatment is right for you?
There is no single treatment that is best for every person with crepey skin, dullness or loss of firmness. If the main issue is dehydration and fine crepey skin, Sunekos may be worth considering. If texture, pores or general skin quality are the priority, microneedling or microneedling with exosomes may be more suitable.
Where there is a more noticeable loss of firmness, treatments such as JULÄINE, Sculptra or Radiesse Collagen Wash may be considered. For more established looseness around the lower face or jawline, EndoDefine may be a better option. The starting point is working out what has actually changed in the skin and what you would most like to improve.
Revital Lab is based in Esher, Surrey and offers a range of regenerative and skin treatments for patients looking to improve skin quality, firmness, texture and the visible signs of ageing.
A complimentary consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your concerns and find out which treatment, or combination of treatments, may be most suitable for your skin. Book a consultation here.
