Are your laugh lines laughing when you’re not?
Are the crows leaving footprints where they shouldn’t?
Perhaps the skin under your eyes and chin have conspired to head south for the winter.
If you’re a woman who has scoffed at the idea of plastic surgery in the past and rolled her eyes at the aging celebrities gracing magazine covers, you may have a hard time admitting you don’t like what you see in the mirror.
Beyond the lofty ideals of not aging and looking younger than you are, plastic surgery is expensive, invasive, time-consuming, and painful. Plus, it’s rather obvious.
However, if you’re still considering it and would like to wake with a little more confidence in your appearance every morning, you should know that plastic surgery has evolved into a non-invasive and subtle art form. It is possible to boost your self-confidence and approve of your reflection without breaking the bank or undergoing major surgery.
Issues such as crows feet, laugh lines, blotchy skin, age spots, and sagging skin can all be improved using quick, simple, and non-surgical methods.
We’ve outlined our four most popular and asked-about techniques below.
Botox
Botox is a purified strain of the botulinum toxin. After injection into the skin, this toxin temporarily paralyzes the small muscles underneath, relaxing and smoothing the skin. This makes botox a popular choice to treat unwanted facial wrinkles. It can cause stinging and redness at the injection site but overall is not painful and rarely produces severe side effects. The change from botox is gradual, taking 3-7 days to reach its full effect. Botox is not permanent, lasting only 3-4 months, so you will need subsequent injections.
Doctors began using botox medically over 20 years ago as a muscle relaxant. It has since evolved into a cosmetic product and is a very effective remedy for reducing migraines in some people.
Costs vary but range from $300 – $1,000.
To ensure safety and accuracy with injections, you should only receive botox from an approved and experienced medical professional, of which our office has three who would be happy to work with you.
Schedule a consultation with us today, or if you’d prefer to read up on more information about botox itself, visit their official website.
Dermal Fillers
These injections come in five different forms:
- Hyaluronic acid-based fillers (Restylane & Juvederm)
- Collagen-based fillers (Cosmoplast & Cosmoderm)
- Semi-permanent fillers (Sculptra & Radiesse)
- Permanent fillers (Bellafill)
- Fat transfer
These injections fill lines and spaces, making them look plumper. They are commonly used in the cheeks and lips, filling those laugh lines and other wrinkles. This plastic surgery can also be used under the eyes and to plump deep scars.
The acid-based fillers cause a temporary plumping but eventually fade as the body absorbs the acid. Other fillers are actual injections of collagen, which have a longer lasting effect. Fat transfer injections involve grafting fat from another area of your body and offer a permanent plumping effect.
The injections do cause pain, so in many instances, the doctor uses a topical numbing cream. Some fillers are also pre-mixed with a numbing cream. Redness and minor bruising is possible but will fade. Allergic reactions can occur due to the synthetic nature of the filler material. The advantage of using fat transfer over synthetic fillers is the reduced likelihood of an allergic reaction or rejection; however, this procedure requires a highly skilled and experienced professional for best results.
Cost ranges from $500 – $1,000.
As with Botox, you should seek an experienced skin-care professional to discuss the options and decide what is best for you. Find more information about dermal fillers and how to book a consultation on our website here.
Kybella
Kybella is an injection targeting the “turkey neck” and “double chin”. Kybella is an acid that works to destroy the fat cells under the chin. Once they are gone, they don’t grow back. The number of injections depends on the amount of fat and desired results, the average being 3-4. The maximum number of injections for any patient is six.
The procedure takes 15-20 minutes and may cause swelling, bruising, and numbness as the area heals. Full recovery can take up to 3 weeks. Other serious allergic reactions are possible but uncommon. Changes are gradual, though evidence of the procedure is more obvious directly after treatment.
Cost for Kybella ranges from $450 – $2,500, with an average of $1,400.
Kybella should only be administered by an experienced professional. For more information on how we perform such procedures, please schedule a consultation with us by emailing us.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
If you’re looking for something a bit more holistic but are not afraid of needles, acupuncture “facelifts” are increasing in popularity. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that our facial appearance connects to the internal organs and one’s overall health. The practitioner inserts tiny needles into wrinkles and other “acupoints” around the body to address any underlying internal issues. Many times practitioners combine essential oils and other herbal mixtures with the acupuncture.
Though acupuncture cannot produce the same results as a true surgical facelift, many clients who try it feel better overall and this renewed health and vigor shows in their faces. For some, acupuncture improves sleep, reverses weight gain, and reduces stress. Stress and poor sleeping habits will enhance the weariness of facial features, such as baggy eyes, dark circles, and wrinkles, as reported in this article by Huffington Post.
Many remain skeptical that cosmetic acupuncture works but a small study conducted in 2013 showed enough evidence of positive effects on skin tone to encourage further controlled studies.
Cost ranges from $125 – $300 per session.
We have one licensed acupuncturist on staff who has experience in cosmetic acupuncture. Click here to schedule a consultation with him.
Takeaways of Plastic Surgery
The benefits of choosing non-invasive and non-surgical techniques are many, including:
- Faster results
- Less recovery time
- Gradual change
- Less costly
- Fewer complications
However, changing your appearance is a major event, warranting thorough research and forethought. Before making a final decision, read other blog posts on our blog (or elsewhere!) regarding plastic surgery techniques, talk to people who have tried the procedures, or watch webinars like this one on YouTube to educate yourself.
