Years ago if a woman wanted to look younger or change the contours of her body, the only option available was plastic surgery. Nowadays, there are a wide variety of non-surgical options to choose from to provide your skin with a more youthful appearance. Some of the benefits range from their relatively low cost, shorter procedure times and zero downtime. We'll explore some of the more common treatments below so that you will be able to make an informed decision, should you decide to avail yourself of one or more of these procedures.
Botox™
Botox is a safe and quick procedure commonly used for wrinkles on the forehead, frown lines and crows feet. It is relatively painless and can take years off your appearance.
It involves injecting a tiny amount of purified protein into the muscles that produce the wrinkle. Botox blocks the nerve impulse from reaching the facial muscles that are associated with the expression lines so they do not contract.
Following treatment, the treated skin will retain a smooth appearance, while allowing the untreated skin to contract normally.
Results are usually seen within 2 to 7 days after the first treatment and last about 4 months. Results may vary.
Botox has also been used to treat chronic back and neck pain, excessive sweating and headaches.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal or skin fillers are used to restore volume to aging skin and help even out deep wrinkles.
Some of the popular fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse and Evolence can effectively fill in lines and creases, to temporarily restore a more youthful appearance.
The substance used is called hyaluronic acid. It is a clear, non-animal, biodegradable gel that is found in your body. The gel is injected in small amounts underneath the skin using a fine needle. The procedure is often less than 30 minutes. Results are immediate and last anywhere from 6 to 9 months.
Dermal fillers are also used to plump the lips as well as for shaping facial contours such as the cheeks and chin.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical skin resurfacing technique that is used to stimulate the production of collagen and new skin cells. It can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damaged skin, acne scars, stretch marks, dull or aging skin, brown spots, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
Micro-crystals are vacuumed through a small hand piece on the outer layers of the skin to produce a skin-polishing peel. This gentle abrasive technique takes about 30-45 minutes. After your first treatment, you should notice an immediate improvement which continues over the course of your treatment. Your skin will be softer, tighter and younger looking.
You may experience some redness which will disappear after a few hours. Most people can return to work immediately following the procedure.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a non-invasive procedure that can be used to improve the skin on the face, chest, hands and arms to remove fine line and wrinkles, sun and age spots, scars and blemishes.
It involves applying an acid based solution to the treated area in order to gently blister the uppermost layers of the skin. These layers are then removed as gently as possible. This results in the growth of new cells and the production of collagen.
For the next few days after treatment, the skin will be sensitive to sun exposure, and redness, crusting and flaking will occur. These symptoms gradually fade away within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the potency of the peel used. You will notice a smoother appearance with fewer wrinkles, blemishes and blotches.
Peels only treat the superficial layers of skin and is not effective on sagging skin or deep wrinkles.
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a medical treatment that has been practiced in France for over 50 years and is relatively new to the North American market. This procedure is used to reduce cellulite and for spot fat reduction in the thighs, abdomen, love handles and chin. Areas of the body that are resistant to exercise are prime candidates for this procedure.
Small amounts of medication, vitamins and supplements are injected into the fat and connective tissue which make up the middle layer of the skin called the mesoderm. The injections cause a mild discomfort similar to waxing.
Some people report immediate weight loss and inches, while others take a little longer. Proper diet and regular exercise will help to maintain the results. This procedure is considered safe and requires no anesthesia.
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