An Introduction to Rejuvenation Therapy

Everyone’s scrambling to discover the newest, most effective procedure to retain a youthful healthy glow or even to reverse the signs of natural aging. Enter rejuvenation therapy.

veryone’s scrambling to discover the newest, most effective procedure to retain a youthful healthy glow or even to reverse the signs of natural aging. Enter the latest in spa and cosmetic surgery treatments—rejuvenation therapy.

Ancient Rejuvenation Therapies

Rejuvenation therapy is nothing new. Ayurveda practitioners have been using rejuvenation treatments for centuries. In this ancient tradition, a therapist evaluates an individual’s lifestyle and proposes a treatment using herbs, nutrition, Yoga, and detoxification to improve both mental and physical health. This process helps keep the body young and agile. With long-term dedication to the program, practitioners and clients claim that the therapy may turn back the clock on aging. Because of Ayurveda’s homeopathic and holistic nature, the results of rejuvenation therapies are not immediate. In fact, patients may not see results for months as the body works to counter a lifetime of ill effects. The following rejuvenation methods, however, produce nearly instant improvement.

	Think of this as a sandblaster, albeit a gentler one, for the face.

Modern Rejuvenation Therapies

Cosmetic procedures, particularly those that are considered non-invasive, are enjoying an upswing in popularity. These are generally superficial and do little to heal the body from within—a small price to pay to look great fast.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound facial rejuvenation therapy uses sound waves that target the middle layer of the dermis. This raises the metabolism of elastin and collagen production. It’s safe and does the job in making the patient’s skin appear more youthful.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion speeds the exfoliation of the old, dead skin, which is hiding the renewed dermal layer. Think of this as a sandblaster, albeit a gentler one, for the face. The clinician uses a tool to blow sterile microscopic crystals across the skin to exfoliate the surface, then uses a mini-vacuum to suck away the crystals and dead skin resulting in a younger, more radiant appearance.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels, or chemexfoliation, use an application of chemical solution to cause the skin to blister and eventually peel off. It may sound unpleasant, but once regenerated, your skin should appear smoother and more vibrant than ever before.

Benefits of Rejuvenation Therapies

All of these rejuvenation procedures are safe and relatively comfortable (particularly compared to the old nip/tuck surgery), and minimize or eliminate blemishes, acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. You can also expect:

• Tighter and toned skin
  
• Clearer complexion
  
• Thicker skin
  
• Reduced pore size

After surface rejuvenation treatments, the skin may be more sensitive to the sun, so it is important to use sunscreen for protection.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy differs from other rejuvenation methods because it effects systemic changes within the body to reverse the aging process. While some medical practitioners still consider hormone replacement risky and experimental, it has met with some success. Hormone replacement therapy aims to restore the level of hormone production as it declines with age. The replacement hormones include the human growth hormone (HGH), testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, insulin, DHEA, and thyroid, among others. The body reacts to these hormones, as it did when it was younger, by repairing and restoring many body functions.

Something you should be wary of: There are rejuvenation products, particularly those that profess to be homeopathic “growth hormones,” that claim the benefits of HGH, but can’t deliver. Genuine HGH must be prescribed by a medical doctor and must be injected because the amino acid is too large to be absorbed through mucous membranes. Swallowing pills or rubbing solution on the skin will not work.