Effective Treatments to Rejuvenate Hollow Facial Features

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When it comes to refreshing our looks, the game has seriously leveled up. We’re no longer limited to just creams and potions because now, it's all about getting down to the rejuvenation with some pretty snazzy treatments. There are three stars of the modern beauty world: Polydioxanone (PDO) threads, microneedling, and dermal fillers. These are not just buzzwords but solutions for anyone looking to wave goodbye to hollow facial features without signing up for major downtime.

PDO Threads: The Instant Lift

Can you imagine giving your skin a little pep talk, saying, "Hey, let's perk up a bit, shall we?" That's essentially what PDO threads do. Using suture-like threads, this minimally invasive technique lifts sagging skin, giving your face a more youthful silhouette. What makes PDO threads a crowd-pleaser is the minimal downtime involved. According to a 2019 study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, patients reported significant satisfaction with the minimal invasiveness and downtime of the procedure. It's like getting the benefits of a facelift without the commitment to surgery and long recovery times.

Microneedling: The Collagen Booster

Next up, we've got microneedling, a technique that could easily be mistaken for a magic wand of youth. By making tiny pricks in the skin, this procedure wakes up collagen production - the holy grail of youthful, elastic skin. Beyond just pumping up the volume, it's about getting your skin back to its glory days. The beauty of microneedling is its knack for targeting aging signs and bringing back that bounce to your complexion. A study from Dermatologic Surgery in 2018 highlighted microneedling's effectiveness in skin rejuvenation, emphasizing its role in enhancing skin's elasticity and reducing fine lines.

Dermal Fillers: The Quick Fix

Dermal fillers are the beauty world's answer to instant gratification. Missing some volume? Fillers have got you covered. With a few strategic injections, fillers can smooth out wrinkles and plump up areas that time has made a bit more hollow. While they're not a permanent solution, they offer a quick fix, with results you can see right away. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dermal fillers are increasingly popular, with procedures seeing a steady increase year over year. This spike in popularity underscores fillers' appeal as a straightforward, effective way to restore facial volume.

Cosmetic Surgery Consultations

Taking the leap into any cosmetic procedure is a big deal, and while it's tempting to just dive right in after seeing some amazing before-and-after photos online, it's crucial to hit the pause button and chat with a professional first. Here's the thing: every face, body, and skin type is unique, which means what worked wonders for one person might not be the best fit for you. Professionals have the training, experience, and the eye for detail to guide you toward the best options based on your individual needs, health, and the results you're aiming for. According to Dr. Joseph Berardi, a seasoned professional in the field, doctors will also give you the real talk on what to expect during recovery, potential risks, and how to care for yourself post-procedure. It’s not just about making sure you're physically prepared but about helping you get a clear picture and the peace of mind as you say yes to the procedure.

The key is to arm yourself with information, seek out skilled professionals, and remember that your beauty, no matter the route you choose to enhance it, is uniquely yours. In an age where the possibilities for aesthetic enhancement are broader and more accessible than ever, embracing the opportunity to look as vibrant as you feel is a choice many are gladly making.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Thai Square Spa Traditional Thai Massage

Last week I had the most amazing visit to the Thai Square Spa in central london for a traditional Thai massage.

Whenever I am stressed, I hold it in two places - my jawline and my shoulders, the latter which aches and can make me grimace as I carry my rucksack too and from work, lift anything slightly heavy or stretch. So I was really looking forward to it.

The spa itself is absolutely stunning, taking in an eclectic mix of Thai, Roman, and Turkish spa décor. As you walk in there is an instant feeling of relaxation as you leave all your stress at the door and are submerged into the most wonderful scents of Jasmine that fill the air. The building itself, based on Northumberland Avenue, did in fact used to be a Turkish Bath and those features have been kept to really give it that feeling of luxury.

Inside the spa there are Four Traditional Thai Massage treatment rooms, seven Ritual Massage rooms and one vast VIP suite treatment room with private relaxation zone and steam room. The changing rooms which are the most wonderful vivid red decor have everything you need to get changed into your provided massage clothing - in my case because it was a traditional Thai massage, this is done over clothing, rather than directly onto the skin.

The traditional Thai massage is described as being both exotic and unique with the treatment bringing together a traditional Thai massage with deep tissue, pressure point and ancient stretching techniques. Designed to release tension, increase vitality and flexibility as well as to create a wholeness of the mind, body and spirit.‍ If you’ve ever had a Thai massage before, you’ll know that the therapist will get into all those nooks and crannies to release pressure and tension, so it isn’t the massage you would choose if you want a thoroughly relaxing experience, instead this is the massage you choose to release all that built up tension, rid your body of aching shoulders, tight muscles and soreness.

The treatment starts with the washing of your foot, which a good friend of mine told me is done to bring purity and leave bad luck at the door - whatever the reason, it was delightful, and I say that as someone who hates feet or anyone touching mine. The next part of the treatment is to take your place on the massage table, the instructions on how to lie down and relax are clearly given and then my therapist, a simply wonderful lady who constantly checked the pressure she was applying was okay - it can get quite intense if there is some tension that needs to be released by the way. Throughout my massage, she worked on my feet, lower and upper legs, my arms, my back and my shoulders, which even with the slightest bit of pressure was painful, until magically she did something to release the pressure and the pain simple evaporated - a week later and still no shoulder aching or back pain. Once my therapist had finished, I turned over and she continued with the massage on my head (heavenly), the front of my shoulders, arms, legs and this time ankles before the final part of the treatment. At this stage you sit up and the stretching begins of absolutely every muscle you have in your body, or at least that is how it felt, and again that tension had all disappeared and with it, came the reminder from my therapist that as I hold my stress and troubles in my shoulders, I need to do my stretching every single day to help manage it, even if it’s just five minutes of my time.

After the treatment, I was taken to the most relaxing lounge where I sat and enjoyed herbal tea in absolute silence and comfort, on my own with no phone pinging or ringing, no emails demanding my attention. Utter bliss and I could have sat there all day. 

Alongside the Traditional Thai massage, there is a whole host of other treatments on offer to choose from and I’d gladly make my way through each and every one of them, such is the feeling of being made to feel truly welcome as though you’re the most important person in the building.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.