Ask Dr Judy: What is prejuvenation and do I need it?
We speak to one of Scotland’s longest-practising aesthetic doctors, and NHS hospital consultant, Dr Judy Todd of Synergy, to answer your urgent skincare and beauty questions…
Q: I’m interested in the idea of injectables, but I’m still in my 20s. Can I have treatment now as a preventative measure, or should I wait until I’m older to start?
A: In the industry, we refer to this kind of treatment as ‘prejuvenation’, describing the practice of people in their 20s and 30s having aesthetic treatments, most often injectables, to prevent the signs of ageing before they fully take hold. It specifically refers to treatments which address ageing – not lip fillers or ‘liquid nose jobs’ that enhance or sculpt the face, but treatments which offer a form of maintenance or prevention instead.
The reality is that visible signs of the ageing process, caused by progressive loss of facial volume and fat layers, start to appear in our mid-twenties. Eye bags, dark circles and static lines can begin developing around this time, and so patients may start to look into measures to soften or reduce the effects, or even postpone them to prevent worsening over time.
One of the most popular and effective ‘prejuvenation’ treatments for slightly younger patients is dermal filler, to treat tear trough deformity (sunken or dark under-eyes) caused by volume loss, which lasts for around 18 months. In this age group, muscle-relaxing injections are also an effective and highly-requested choice, to treat static lines, smoothing them out and weakening the muscles to prevent deep lines and wrinkles forming. If a patient wants to prevent deep furrows establishing in the skin, waiting until they have set in makes it far more difficult to be fully rid of them. Treating them early can prevent this; there’s also evidence to show that the action of frowning can actually be ‘unlearned’ in this instance, thereby reducing the need for treatment as time goes on.
However, injectables don’t have to be the only route when it comes to taking preventative measures for ageing. I'm a big advocate of adopting a medical-grade skincare routine to perfect, protect and repair the skin and to allow it to function properly as a barrier. Controlling oil production and using retinols as well as using a sunscreen daily are all important steps. I also recommend collagen induction therapy (microneedling), or other treatments such as chemical peels or laser treatments, to stimulate the dermis into producing collagen, which helps with the signs of ageing.
It’s important to take lifestyle factors into consideration before leaping into any treatment, whatever your age, but particularly so as a younger patient as this can really help to make a noticeable difference in the skin and act as a preventative measure against damage. Using sunscreen daily is a must to prevent the signs of premature ageing (think lines, sun spots and a sagging texture), as well as not smoking and limiting your sugar intake – smoking and sugar both cause oxidative damage to the skin and wreck collagen production. Enjoying a balanced diet helps, as does exercising; new research is emerging showing that regular exercise can have a beneficial impact on the skin and its ageing process.
As a general rule, I would recommend paying attention to your lifestyle before going ahead with any treatment as a younger person, but if someone in their late 20s or 30s (no younger!) would like to have visible signs of ageing treated, like tear troughs or static lines, then I believe that’s perfectly reasonable. Self-preservation and the desire to maintain the appearance of youth are natural human instincts. The culture of this generation having their ‘prejuvenation’ tweakments should hopefully dispense with the stigma that still exists around aesthetic treatments, and affects many of the older generations seeking anti-ageing treatments. There are no age-specific treatments; if ageing is visible and is bothering a patient, then all age groups can benefit from the treatments available.
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