Human lifespan has been extended. People are starting to enroll in second universities. More and more persons are starting their second or third marriage. They are trying not to make the same mistakes while making decisions. The number one rule of staying young is to keep up with technology. The second most important rule is to increase the awareness of people who have drifted and neglected to take care of themselves over the years.
With the change of people's priorities towards their physical appearance, it has become very important for the skin of the face, body and even in the genital area to look healthy and lively. As well as increasing physical performance and keeping sexual performance at a level that isn’t diminishing.
Recently, energy-based devices, laser, filler, mesotherapy, neurotoxin applications are utilized successfully to improve skin quality. There is an increasing need for nutritional supplements and hormonal supplements which are all protective and regressive treatments collected under the name of anti-aging.
I attended the IMCAS (International Master Course on Aging Skin) in Paris, in January of this year. It is the anti-aging congress where everything about aging skin and subcutaneous tissues are discussed. Seems like a time-lapse movie about how fast the world is changing. A congress full of inspiration for the changing needs of ourselves and the course of humanity. To share my excitement with you, I decided to write this article during the congress.
The most striking detail in the congress was the prominence given to men, rather than women. In this congress, which I have attended for about seven years, previously women and their expectations have always been at the forefront. Usually, men were mentioned in one or two of the last slides. Even creams were put on the shelves with same formulations created for women, and only by changing packaging and making them gray or black. Now, I have observed that this understanding has changed, and that the leading companies of the world have started to invest in formulations with higher concentrations and high penetration, suitable for men's skin that is thicker, hairier, sweats more, and secretes more sebum than women. The upper dermis of men -which is more vascular and has a higher blood flow- the required energy and depth adjustment changes even in energy-based devices, and it was emphasized that at least three or four applications should be combined at the same time for success. Men's own natural antioxidant mechanisms are much weaker than women, their mitochondria are damaged faster, so the supportive treatments and diets affect aging processes.
As a physician who applies many fillers during the day, I was surprised to hear that the number of male patients has increased in the world during last year, similar to my statistics. Men mostly demanded applications for under-eye areas and chin. Almost a day of the congress was devoted to the issue of how we can help a man become attractive and attain a strong and reliable face structure. Nowadays, men wish to get rid of unhappy looks, just as women do. Especially business leaders and politicians are aware of how important it is to invest in a confident stance which can lead large masses who are happy, tranquil and energetic.
Numerous examples about patients as well as descriptions of combinations were cited on how to achieve a higher skin quality in men with energy-based devices, without feminizing the person and without affecting their characteristics. The loss of elasticity of the skin in men begins in their 50s. Men get through this process more easily than women, due to hormonal reasons. In men, the line resembling the number 11, between the two eyebrows become evident much earlier and faster than women. For this reason, men often encounter botox as their first anti-aging need. Men need treatments of rejuvenation mostly for eyelids. Laser applications of hyaluronic acid around the eyes were one of the most emphasized issues.
In addition to the presentations that focused on the face more than the previous years, this year almost half of the presentations showed an increasing emphasis on body contour shaping, tightening and cellulite. Ip applications were left behind, and applications for the male genital area, as well as female genital rejuvenation, were coming up with increasing presentations.
People basically want a method which; doesn’t affect mimics too much, doesn’t have a long healing process, doesn’t leave bruises, and gives long-term results. Life teaches us that, every choice is in fact a renunciation. Advantages and disadvantages were discussed, where all applications were compiled and discussed comparatively. Of course, us physicians base our choices according to impressions we take away from these presentations. Therefore, these congresses are like our university education that continue secretly in real life.
There are also expectations that vary according to age groups. People between the ages of 50 and 60 are afraid of surgery and are leaning towards minimally invasive procedures. Millennials, on the other hand, are much more open to these practices than older people, and they have an increasingly demanding trend. I think we older adults are much more contented about our expectations.
Beyond fillers and neurotoxins, collagen stimulators, stem cell / fat injections, micro botox are among the topics that attract more attention. In a study on Botox, the phrase "successful in regressing the symptoms of depression" seems to refute a great prejudice in society.
In body applications; LED applications, instruments that create an electromagnetic field and combine it with lymphatic drainage stood out on the podium. The authors, who have experienced of many years in the applications that we used to be more cowardly, pointed out that we now use higher doses and that we will bring greater success by making a good planning of combination treatments during the year rather than a single application.
I attended a special session on melasma treatments and listened to inspiring presentations about what I could add to my combination treatments. Of the two new drugs, one that can be applied and one that is taken orally. Right now, I resemble a driver who is waiting at a red light and can't wait to hit the gas pedal.
Keeping up with the changing world and filling your skirts with information makes us self-confident and young. Everything else is the most enjoyable job in the world. Blessed are those who perform their work with enjoyment.