Cosmetic procedures are very popular in the U.S. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery indicates there were more than eleven million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the States in 2013; a twelve- percent increase from 2012. Non-surgical procedures alone showed a 13.1 percent increase, with p.5 procedures performed in 2012. Below is a list of the top five non-surgical cosmetic procedures on the nation.
5. Photo Rejuvenation
Photo rejuvenation is a blanket term for several different therapies that use light or thermal methods to treat the skin. Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is one of the newer procedures, which uses adjustable light wavelengths to treat conditions like, rosacea, discoloration from broken blood vessels, and acne. It also removes liver spots, age spots, and other types of faulty pigmentation; and some clinics also use IPL for hair removal and to shrink pores.
Photo rejuvenation may require several sessions to get the desired results, and there is usually a 30-day rest between sessions. You may experience some peeling, dryness, swelling, and redness after each session, but it usually fades within 48 hours.
4. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion uses exfoliating particles to buff away the top layer of your skin. In the process it stimulates collagen production to make your skin smoother. It removes fine lines and wrinkles, brightens your skin for a healthy glow, and also removes blackheads and whiteheads. Microdermabrasion can also help your skin absorb skin treatments, like moisturizers, more efficiently by stripping away dead skin that might block absorption.
Microdermabrasion lasts about seven days and you can usually see results after the first treatment. You may need multiple treatments to maintain your results, but you can usually have the next treatment a little as seven days after the last. You may experience some swelling and redness after each session, but it usually fades within 48 hours.
3. Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal first became commercially available and it has since surpassed electrolysis as the go-to permanent hair removal procedure. The process uses pulsed laser light to destroy the target hair follicles, causing hair loss and preventing new hair from growing back. Reviews for American Laser, as well as other providers, indicate that laser hair removal is highly effective and preferred over older methods, including electrolysis and waxing.
The number of sessions you need depends on the size of the area you are treating. It may only take one session to remove unwanted facial hair, but may take several sessions to remove unwanted hair from your legs or other parts of your body. You may experience some mild redness and discomfort, similar to a sun burn, but it usually fades within 24-to-48 hours.
2. Hyaluronic Acid/Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers have been in existence since the 1940s. Early procedures used silicone to fill in fine lines and wrinkles on the face, and restore fullness to the cheeks and lips. While silicone was very effective, and long lasting, it was not without complications. Today they use hyaluronic acid and collagen, both of which occur naturally in the human body, or non-silicone synthetics.
Whether natural or synthetic, these new dermal fillers are designed to replace the collagen that you naturally lose as you age, restoring a youthful appearance to your skin. Both collagen and hyaluronic acid are considered temporary and the effects usually last two-to-four months. The synthetic fillers can last up to ten years. You may experience some swelling and redness after your session, but those effects should fade within 48 hours.
1. Botox
Botox is so popular because it is both affordable and effective. The process uses very small amounts of the botulinum toxin to relax some of the facial muscles and reduce wrinkles and fine lines in your skin. When done correctly, you should still be able to make facial expressions, but the muscles that cause frown lines and worry lines won’t be able to contract and wrinkle your skin.
You should see results after the first session, and the results should last up to four months. You may experience mild pain, bruising, and swelling at the injection sites, but they should pass within 24 hours.
Finding a Clinic
Regardless of which procedure you choose, you should always consult with your family physician before having any cosmetic work done.
When choosing a cosmetic clinic, or physician, you should make sure they are properly trained and licensed in your chosen procedure. You can often find physician and clinic listings at organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
