To reduce wrinkles effectively and improve the facial contour, you first need to understand properly what is actually ageing.Because the ageing process does not affect the skin alone.
With age, the quality of the epidermis changes, the dermal–epidermal junction flattens, the amount and proper organisation of collagen and elastin decrease, fibroblast activity declines, the volume and distribution of adipose tissue change, the supporting ligaments weaken, and the facial expression muscles lose their balance of tension. In addition, changes occur in the bony structures of the face, which affect its features and proportions.
In practice, this means that the face ages in layers.One tissue affects another.
When the midface loses support and volume, the tear trough, nasolabial folds and marionette lines become more visible. When the interaction between the skin, subcutaneous tissue, ligaments and the SMAS weakens, the tissues begin to sag. In turn, the facial expression muscles stop working harmoniously — some become overly tense while others weaken. This is precisely why characteristic wrinkles and contour changes appear on the forehead, glabella, around the eyes and in the lower face.
It is also worth remembering that accelerated skin ageing is driven not only by natural biological processes but also by everyday external factors, such as:UV radiation, smoking, environmental pollution, oxidative stress, glycation, chronic inflammation, hormonal changes and many years of facial muscle activity.
That is why there is no single ideal solution for everyone.Effective lifting therapy requires an individual assessment and a careful choice of methods — so as to improve the condition of the tissues rather than overload them.
Which structures should effective lifting therapy address?
The modern approach to anti-ageing therapy involves working at different tissue levels, depending on where the changes are most pronounced.
1. The epidermis, dermis and extracellular matrix
At this level, the following are key:
- photoprotection,
- appropriately selected active ingredients,
- techniques that support their penetration, such as electroporation, iontophoresis, sonophoresis, infusion, microneedling or cold plasma,
- ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers.
This is where we work on improving skin quality, firmness, texture and collagen remodelling.
2. The vascular network
If the skin is vascularly weakened, it is worth using technologies that support microcirculation and regeneration, such as:
- E-light,
- DPL,
- infrared,
- biostimulating light,
- selected diode lasers.
3. Superficial and deep adipose tissue
Depending on the problem, there are two possible approaches:
- reducing excess adipose tissue, e.g. with cryolipolysis or ultrasound cavitation,
- or supporting areas where volume has been lost and the fat pads have shifted, using manual techniques, drainage, biostimulation and treatments that improve the quality of the supporting tissues.
4. Retaining ligaments
When the supporting structures are weakened, radiofrequency-based technologies can help, with the aim of improving tissue firmness and supporting their remodelling.
5. The muscular system
The facial muscles also require proper assessment. Depending on their tone and function, the following can be selected:
- massage techniques,
- face yoga,
- EMS,
- microcurrents,
- TENS,
- neuromodulating techniques,
- Tesla stimulation,
- infrared.
The goal is not random “strengthening” but restoring balanced muscle activity.
6. The fascia and the SMAS
The deeper supporting layers can be effectively targeted with HIFU, ideally planned deliberately and informed by ultrasound skin imaging.
7. The bony framework of the face
Although we do not act on the bone directly as we do on the skin, its condition has a huge influence on facial proportions and tissue support. That is why appropriately chosen supplementation, prevention and manual techniques supporting the surrounding tissues also matter.
Why does combination therapy give the best results?
Combination therapy is not about working harder.It is about working smartly and synergistically.
By working on several tissue layers at the same time, lower energy doses can be used, restoring healing and natural beauty. The therapy is safe and delivers lasting results that persist for several years. Structures rebuilt at different levels interact with one another, triggering a synergistic regeneration cascade that amplifies the treatment results.
That is why the first stage of therapy should always involve identifying the dominant problem:
- which layer is ageing fastest,
- which changes are most advanced,
- and which methods will be most beneficial for the individual.
The therapist selects treatments on the basis of advanced knowledge. There is no single fixed protocol for everyone.Every combination therapy should be tailored individually. The choice of treatments depends on the condition and biological age of the tissues, the type of changes and the body’s regenerative capacity.
It is a mistake to use overly strong treatments simply because they produce a quick visual effect. Overly aggressive stimulation can overload the tissues and damage healthy structures, which ultimately disrupts the natural repair processes.
We will be happy to support your further professional development.
You can become an Expert in Lifting Combination Therapies.
Expand your offer with new, effective treatments.
We will be happy to advise you on choosing the right equipment.
We invite you to our training course:
Lifting Combination Therapies Therapist
You will learn:
- how to assess which tissues require therapy first,
- how to match active ingredients and treatment procedures to a specific problem,
- how different physical agents affect tissues depending on power, energy and operating mode,
- which treatments should not be combined,
- how to rule out procedures that are ineffective in a given case,
- how to plan therapy safely over time,
- and how to support regeneration without overloading the tissues.
This training is for those who want to work consciously, effectively and in a modern way — with a full understanding of the anatomy of the ageing face, cellular-level changes and the principles of multi-level therapy.
Training – HIFU in cosmetology (MHIFU, 12D HiFU)
Training – Fractional lasers in cosmetology
Training – RF treatment expert
Training – Synergistic combination therapies: lifting without a scalpel
Training – Tissue biostimulators + mesotherapy and microneedling
Training – Chemical peels and combination therapies
Warm regards,
Małgorzata Kowza-Dzwonkowska
University lecturer, cosmetologist, dietitian, therapist, biomedical chemist
