Last fact-checked: 9 November 2020

Whether it's in our late twenties, thirties—or for the very fortunate—early forties, the onset of wrinkles is inevitable, and in many cases, loose skin and lines can make us look much older than we actually feel. 

Certain creams and positive lifestyle choices, such as avoiding sun exposure and smoking, can help to a degree; however, for the best results, there really is only one answer: professional treatment carried out in a medical setting.  

Our background-checked clinics around the world offer an array of surgical and non-surgical options to reduce wrinkles—and the best part? You can expect to pay up to 70% less than back home. 

What Causes Wrinkles?

As we get older, the body's collagen production slows down. This protein is essential for keeping skin looking young and firm. Decreased production of other natural oils and elements, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) dehydrates the skin, leaving it much more prone to wrinkles and fine lines. 

Other lifestyle factors that contribute to wrinkles include exposure to ultraviolet light, stress, repeated facial expressions and smoking. 

Some of the most popular non-surgical and surgical wrinkle treatments are summarized below:

Non-surgical methods:

Botox®: This course of injections works by paralyzing certain muscles rendering them unable to contract when we make expressions. This helps to eliminate things like fine lines and crow's feet. 

Dermal Fillers: Restylane®, Juvederm®, and Radiesse® are some of the most popular dermal filler brands available at our global clinics. These are injected into deep wrinkles and serve to make them smoother. They normally work by replenishing collagen or hyaluronic acid (HA) which are both naturally found in the skin. 

Chemical Peels: An acidic solution of varying strengths is applied to the skin which essentially peels off the top layer. The deeper the peel, the more red and painful it will be. However, once the skin heals, you can expect to have firmer, younger-looking skin.

Laser Skin Resurfacing: This treatment is generally used for lines around the forehead, cheeks, and lips. Different kinds of lasers penetrate the skin to remove layers; as the skin heals, new skin cells will form leading to a firmer, younger-looking appearance. Face treatments can usually be done in one session, taking between 30 and 60 minutes.

Microdermabrasion: Using a special applicator with an abrasive surface, this treatment essentially blasts away tiny outer skin cells that are then vacuumed up. Over time, the rejuvenated skin will appear more toned and smoother. This works well on sun-damaged skin, age spots, fine lines, and other skin conditions.

Chemical Peels: An acidic solution of varying strengths is applied to the skin which essentially peels off the top layer. The deeper the peel, the more red and painful it will be. However, once the skin heals, you can expect to have firmer, younger-looking skin.

Surgical methods:

Our global clinics also offer a range of invasive procedures that are carried out in a professional outpatient clinic or a hospital. These include:

• Eyelid surgery
• Forehead lift
• Eyebrow lifts
• Facelifts (full or partial)
• Eye bag removal
• Neck lift

Certain treatments can be combined as part of a tailor-made facial rejuvenation. Do ask a doctor or cosmetic surgeon as to what the best course of treatment would work best for you. 

Find our MD-verified facelift clinics here (which also offer a range of other cosmetic surgeries).

Patients are able to save between 50 and 70% when booking through Medical Departures. This applies to both surgical and non-surgical procedures, making your trip abroad well worth it—especially for the higher-priced surgical procedures.

[Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing. You can check with our listed clinics for up-to-date pricing]. 

Booking through Medical Departures gives you that much-needed extra safety net. We have over a decade of experience working with thousands of doctors and clinics around the world. We only partner with reliable clinics so you are assured of receiving quality care and impressive results. 

Our background checks include:

• Searching criminal/legal records
• Collating and publishing real patient reviews
• Verifying doctor and surgeon qualifications
• Confirming professional memberships
• Conducting onsite visits, ensuring that international standards on safety and hygiene are met.

Browse through these recommended clinics that are located in popular medical tourism destinations around the world. These offer a range of different surgical and anti-aging treatments:

• Meko Clinic (Bangkok, Thailand)
• Seolreim Skin & Plastic Surgery (Seoul, South Korea)
• Panama Plastic Surgery (Cancun, Mexico)
• Op Dr Sibel Atalay International Clinic (Antayla, Turkey)

Once you have decided to go with one of our global clinics to combat the signs of aging, you can book your free appointment directly through our site to ensure the best prices and treatment outcomes you can be proud of.

Alternatively, contact our Customer Care Team who can assist you with the booking process or help you with other aspects of your trip, such as finance or insurance. 

Sources:

Brazier, Yvette. Facelift: What you need to know. Medical News Today. 31 March 2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244066.php

Face-Lifts. WebMD. 6 February 2019. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/webmd-medical-reference-collaboration-cleveland-clinic-cosmetic-procedures-facelifts

International Organization for Standardization. Website accessed: 9 November 2020. https://www.iso.org/home.html

Wrinkles. Mayo Clinic. Website accessed: 9 November 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrinkles/symptoms-causes/syc-20354927 

Nichols, Hannah. Everything you need to know about Botox. 15 August 2017. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647.php