If you have been contemplating plastic surgery in order to improve your appearance, a nonsurgical procedure could be the better choice. Medical advancements now include minimally invasive and nonsurgical procedures for the face and body, and these techniques are designed to fit into your busy schedule while still producing maximum results – and without the lengthy downtime associated with traditional plastic surgery.
The most popular nonsurgical treatments available that can make a big difference in how you look and feel include the following:
Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatments
There are many different anti-aging treatments on the market such as chemical peels, Botox cosmetics, injectable fillers, and laser treatments. These nonsurgical methods are designed to give you smoother skin, a more youthful expression, fewer wrinkles and sun spots, and less redness. Contouring treatments, spider vein removal, and laser hair removal are also very popular types of minimally invasive procedures to keep the body looking and feeling younger.
Botox Cosmetic
Botox cosmetic treatments use botulinum toxin to treat the visual signs of aging by reducing or removing wrinkles. It is a safe, effective procedure to address aging skin without cosmetic surgery. Common areas to be treated include horizontal forehead furrows, vertical lines between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet around the eyes.
Injections of Botox work by altering the facial muscles beneath the skin that cause the wrinkles. Typically, only a small amount of Botox is injected into the area of the wrinkle. The treatment effectively blocks the impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles, thereby relaxing them. After the underlying facial muscles relax, skin begins to smooth out.
A Botox cosmetic treatment lasts up to six months, after which the procedure can be repeated. Patients usually return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure; however, certain activities such as heavy physical exercise and applying cosmetics should be avoided initially.
Facial Fillers and Lip Plumper Cosmetic Procedures
Injectable facial fillers can provide a smoother, more youthful complexion. They can be used to fill in facial wrinkles and folds and to achieve fuller, more sculpted lips without the need for surgery and with minimal recovery time. One of the most common treatments are soft tissue fillers.
Soft tissue fillers are used to replenish volume in the face. These products help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, to fill out facial folds, or to make the lips fuller. This is a popular treatment to correct laugh lines and crow’s feet, and it is often done with Juvederm.
Juvederm is an FDA-approved dermal filler that helps to instantly restore skin’s volume and smooth away facial lines. The injectable gel filler is safe, effective, and lasts up to one year depending upon the areas treated. It is made of hyaluronic acid, a complex sugar substance that is found naturally within the body.
Because it is highly compatible with the body, no testing is necessary prior to your treatment; Juvederm can be used for all skin types and tones. It is a quick in-office procedure that produces immediate results.
Cosmetic Laser Treatments
Cosmetic laser treatments are safe and effective treatment methods without the downtime and risks associated with surgery. Laser treatments can improve several different types of skin conditions, including wrinkles, stretch marks, rosacea, port wine stains (vascular birthmarks), acne scars, and skin discoloration from aging and sun damage. It can also be an effective nonsurgical method to reduce the appearance of spider veins, and to remove freckles and unwanted hair.
A medical laser is a device that delivers a small but precise amount of light energy in a series of brief pulses. Only the targeted areas will absorb this energy, thereby leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The procedure promotes the growth of new, healthy-looking skin.
Depending on the procedure and your skin’s requirements, you may need more than one laser treatment. Most cosmetic laser treatments do not require aftercare, but certain types of laser procedures to remove lines and wrinkles may require up to two weeks to heal.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a solution that is applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, resulting in a brighter, healthier, and more youthful-looking complexion. Chemical peels can reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scarring.
They vary in strength, and the milder versions can be performed in a typical lunch hour. Stronger chemical peels can initially leave skin looking blistered and red, and therefore take longer to recover from.
Contouring and Fat-Removal Treatments
Contouring and fat-removal treatments can provide permanent results without the need for painful surgery and a long recovery. The most popular nonsurgical treatments include:
CoolSculpting (Fat Freezing)
CoolSculpting® is a noninvasive contouring treatment that freezes stubborn unwanted fat, which is then naturally eliminated from your body. This revolutionary procedure is safe and FDA-cleared and requires no needles, no special diets, no supplements, no surgery, and – most importantly – no downtime.
The CoolSculpting procedure delivers precise, controlled cooling to target the fat cells underneath the skin. It uses a gel pad and applicator to freeze the fat you want to get rid of. The treated fat cells are crystallized (frozen) and destroyed. Over time, the body naturally processes the frozen fat and removes the dead cells.
The procedure can be a bit uncomfortable, but the area will soon become numb, and you won’t feel discomfort for the rest of the time. The treatment usually takes about an hour. Results can be seen as soon as three weeks, with the most dramatic results within three months.
Kybella (Fullness)
Kybella® is an FDA-approved injection to remove fat under the chin. It works by destroying the fat cells permanently. Up to six treatments may be required, with at least a month between treatments.
The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, which is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring molecule that aids in the breakdown and absorption of fat in the body. Kybella destroys fat cells and ensures cells are no longer able to store or accumulate fat.
Plastic Surgery in Rapid City
Black Hills Plastic Surgery is the only medical spa in Rapid City that is supervised by board-certified plastic surgeons. We offer safe and effective services for improving the face and body. You can enjoy smoother skin and a more youthful expression without the lengthy downtime associated with traditional plastic surgery.
If you are interested in learning more about our nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, contact Black Hills Plastic Surgery today by calling us at (605) 343-7208 or use our online request form. We look forward to helping you look the way you want to look!
