You’re looking for a way to turn back the hands of time without undergoing invasive surgery and extensive downtime. What are your options?
The market for nonsurgical cosmetic procedures grows exponentially each year; the non-invasive treatment industry is expected to grow by 13.9% from 2021-2028.
A nonsurgical facelift delivers eye-catching results without the downtime, pain, and cost associated with a traditional facelift. Here’s some information on some of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures:
Botox
Looking for results that are subtle yet effective? Botox is a popular choice when it comes to treating wrinkles. Some use Botox as preventative care so that wrinkles don’t form in the first place. Others use it to soften the appearance of fine lines near the mouth, eyes, and forehead.
Botulinum toxin is injected directly into facial muscles where it paralyzes them temporarily. This neuromodulator lasts for 3-4 months. Downtime is minimal, as are the side effects.
Microdermabrasion
Designed to target superficial wrinkles, this treatment has almost no downtime and few side effects. It’s performed by exfoliating the skin with an applicator. Alternatively, the skin may be sprayed with fine particles.
Following the treatment, your skin may feel tight, but this should pass within 24 hours. As your skin heals, you’ll notice that it appears brighter, more evenly-toned, and smoother.
Fillers
Cosmetic fillers are used to add plumpness and volume to parts of the skin that are sinking or sagging. They also smooth the appearance of wrinkles.
Areas of the face that can be treated with dermal filler include:
- The nose
- The chin
- The cheekbones
- Under the eyes
- The lips
Fillers may be made from hyaluronic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, or calcium hydroxylapatite. A technician may use a different type of filler based on the area where it’s being injected, but most fillers use hyaluronic acid.
After fillers are injected, many patients notice swelling, bruising, and/or redness. These injections are not permanent and will dissolve after roughly 6 months.
Cosmetic Tattoos/Microblading
No, we aren’t referring to the ink you see on the faces of popular rappers—facial tattoos are used for cosmetic purposes. Eyebrows, for example, can be tattooed as a form of long-lasting makeup.
Known as cosmetic tattooing, this natural and subtle treatment offers daily convenience. Your brows will always look ready to go with microblading. And don’t worry—results aren’t as permanent as a regular tattoo. They tend to fade after 12-18 months.
Microneedling
This deeply exfoliating treatment can renew the surface of the skin. Using fine needles, the skin is treated with micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production.
The treatment is administered over several sessions to improve its efficacy. At each appointment, the needles are inserted deeper. Microneedling is effective for treating acne scars, improving skin texture, and reducing the size of pores.
Laser Treatments
Used to treat sun damage or an inconsistent skin tone, laser treatments target different layers of the skin. This skin resurfacing procedure can address common concerns like discoloration or acne. There are two different types of facial laser treatments: ablative and non-ablative.
If you opt for ablative laser treatment, the topmost layer of skin will be targeted. This is done to treat wrinkles, scars, and age spots.
Non-ablative treatments only target underlying tissues to stimulate the production of collagen. It’s effective at treating fine lines and pigmentation. The benefit of non-ablative laser treatments is that they have a shorter recovery period, but they tend to be less effective than ablative treatments.
Chemical Peels
If needles and lasers aren’t your thing, give chemical peels a try! This treatment can help with wrinkles, acne, and discoloration. It’s designed to remove the old layers of skin so that new tissues grow back smoother, softer, and more evenly.
During the healing period, your skin may be swollen, dry, and flaky. It depends on which treatment you opt for; chemical peels are offered in light, medium, and deep intensities. The more intense your chemical peel is, the longer your skin will take to recover.
It’s very important to avoid sun exposure following a chemical peel, as your skin will be especially sensitive. Apply moisturizer regularly, avoid over-exfoliating, and try not to pick at the loose skin!
People choose nonsurgical cosmetic treatments for a variety of reasons: these procedures are often less expensive, have fewer side effects, and are temporary.
As the non-invasive cosmetic treatment industry continues to grow, more procedures are becoming available to consumers. The popular treatments above offer dramatic results, but with limited side effects and a lower cost.
