WORKS A TREAT

Opting for minimally invasive pro treatments is a trend on the rise: last year, a study by The American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that non-surgical treatments were up 38 per cent in the past five years. Spending a little time in the doc’s chair to gain a lot of time each morning is a smart trade – these are our favourite new “tweakments” THE REJUVENATING LASER FOR PIGMENTATION

Even if you’ve sworn off the sun, it’s near impossible to completely dodge pesky spots of pigmentation. Dr Stephen Mulholland, a Toronto-based plastic surgeon, likens this uneven skin tone to “dandelions in a garden – if you let them take over it can look bad, but pick them along the way and a few aren’t a problem”. Hkeik employs the Clear + Brilliant Perméa non-ablative laser to tackle sun spots. The treatment creates tiny lesions in the skin, which, through the healing process, jumpstarts collagen production. The Perméa handpiece also specifically tackles melanin at a superficial level, making it safe for all skin types. A few sessions will deliver a glowing, more eventoned complexion.

THE STARTER INJECTABLE FOR A DEWY COMPLEXION

Sure, fillers can be injected deeper down to create volume, but a new technique is boasting radiant results. The treatment sees a cannula used to fan a light layer of filler under the skin to boost hydration levels for ultra-natural lustre. “By injecting a fine blanket of filler into the dermis of the face, we can create an instant dewy glow,” says Abouchar, whose clinic offers this innovative treatment known as a Skin Booster. “Hyaluronic acid fillers attract water to the

skin surface, increasing hydration.” There’s also the added bonus of a smoother complexion – the filler plumps tiny lines, acne scars and “orange peel” skin, and thanks to a local anaesthetic, it’s virtually pain-free with results lasting up to six months.

THE “NATURAL” SOLUTION FOR UNDER-EYE CIRCLES

A few quick facts: the skin around the eyes is up to five times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face (which means less plumpy collagen and elastin), and the six muscles in the area make around 100,000 tiny movements every day. Plus, the area is often quite sensitive, making it a no-go zone for particularly active products. All this adds up to overworked and undernourished skin with no poker face: it reveals everything, from a lack of sleep to fluid retention. Platelet-rich plasma injections are a safe solution for brighter, more rested eyes. “It works well at addressing periorbital hollowness and uneven texture, as platelets can regenerate all connective tissue including changes associated with age-related bone and fat loss and loss of skin elasticity,” says Abouchar.

THE NEW WAY UP FOR SAGGING SKIN

The latest buzzy treatment is the thread lift, which sees dissolvable surgical strings inserted into the face to subtly pull skin upwards, tightening and smoothing lax contours. It’s popular overseas – Sturm has a waitlist at her Düsseldorf clinic, and it’s often performed at Mulholland’s practice. Gwyneth Paltrow is a known fan of the procedure, even having a demo performed on stage during her inaugural wellness summit, In Goop Health, last year. “It’s exciting technology,” says Mulholland, adding that past iterations gave the treatment a bad name. “It takes about half an hour and, because the threads that are now used are bioabsorbable, they go away but the effect lasts for months.” It’s popping up on clinic menus around Australia and is set to become legitimate competition for more painful radiofrequency tightening.