Facts of Cosmetic Skin Procedures

Overview

Today girls will scale back, stop or maybe erase the signs of aging while not resorting to surgery. Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments, also known as cosmetic skin procedures, can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, facial lines, unwanted hair, broken blood vessels, large pores and acne scars.

Women—and men—are embrace these procedures, which range from injections and microdermabrasion to laser and hair removal treatments. Plastic surgeons perform associate calculable eight.5 million minimally invasive aesthetic treatments annually, while dermatologists, otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and other medical specialists perform millions more.

The inflated acceptance of aesthetic cosmetic procedures—both surgical and nonsurgical—is partly because of the weakened stigma hooked up to them. According to the yank Society for Aesthetic cosmetic surgery, nonsurgical procedures make up nearly two-thirds of aesthetic treatments performed by plastic surgeons today.

Despite the growing popularity of these procedures, it is important for consumers to do their homework. Even one thing as easy as a chemical peel carries potential risks, particularly when performed by someone who is not properly trained in the procedure.

The most important things to remember about nonsurgical aesthetic treatments are:

• You will likely have to bear the entire cost; insurance rarely covers cosmetic treatments.
• Few treatments are permanent. Most will need to be repeated within a few months or a few years.
• Just because a health care provider offers a treatment doesn’t mean that person is qualified to perform the treatment. Ask for references, talk to patients and confirm certifications.
• Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are the most qualified professionals available to provide most nonsurgical aesthetic treatments.

Diagnosis

Treatment

The first step is determinant the correct treatment for your aesthetic concern. You have numerous options. The most commonly performed treatments follow.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox Cosmetic)

OnabotulinumtoxinA, often referred to by the brand name, Botox, is a purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It reduces muscle activity by blocking the nerve impulses that cause the squinting or frowning muscles to contract. OnabotulinumtoxinA is approved for the temporary treatment of frown lines and brow furrows.

Only licensed health care professionals can purchase onabotulinumtoxinA. Plastic surgeons or dermatologists habitually administer onabotulinumtoxinA , although any physician with special training in facial anatomy may perform the injections. Some states also allow nonphysicians such as registered nurses or physician assistants to administer the drug if they are directly supervised by a physician. Regardless of who administers your injection, always ask to see the vial and look for the manufacturer’s safety hologram to ensure you are treated with authentic product.

It solely takes a couple of minutes to be treated with onabotulinumtoxinA, and the effects last up to four months. Botox Cosmetic prices a mean of $350 to $500 per space of treatment, and costs vary across the country based on a number of factors. Some aesthetic specialty physicians charge by the unit of product. This allows them to charge additional or less relying upon the particular patient’s want. Be sure to ask your physician the estimated total cost of your treatment.

Potential risks embrace hypersensitive reaction, headache, bruising (if injections occur while taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or if you’ve had alcohol within the previous week), redness and numbness at the injection site. There is a slight risk of paralysis of nerves adjacent to the injection site. If you’re pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition, make sure you discuss the possible risks with your physician. OnabotulinumtoxinA isn’t counseled for pregnant or nursing girls.

Dermal Fillers

These injectable merchandise fill fine lines and agitate wrinkles to produce a natural and sleek look. They are among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. According to the yank Society for cosmetic surgery, hyaluronic acid dermal filler procedures—one category of soft tissue fillers—are the second most popular aesthetic injectable treatment behind onabotulinumtoxinA.

Dermal fillers work differently than onabotulinumtoxinA. Fillers area unit injected directly into wrinkles and contours, instantly adding volume. There area unit several dermal fillers to settle on from, so make sure to ask your aesthetic specialty physician which type of filler will help you achieve your desired results. Certain dermal fillers may work better in different people and for different areas, so you may need to try more than one before finding the best product for you. Physicians might use multiple merchandise, depending on your needs, to obtain your desired result. You pay by the syringe, and several syringes may be required, so ask your physician for an estimated total cost before beginning your treatment. Costs vary supported geographical region and kind of filler, but the average cost for treatment with injectable fillers is $1,000.al fillers include:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers (Elevess, Hylaform, Juvéderm, Voluma, Perlane, Restylane and others). Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found throughout all living animals. It absorbs over one,000 times its weight in water, thus adding volume to the skin’s surface. With age, however, mucopolysaccharide concentrations drop, inflicting wrinkles and folds. These fillers are used to temporarily replace lost hyaluronic acid and restore skin volume.Hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections typically take less than 30 minutes to perform. Hyaluronic acid injections last between 3 and 5 months, betting on your body chemistry, mode and therefore the rate at that you’re aging. Most people receive new injections two to three times a year.
• Collagen fillers (CosmoPlast, CosmoDerm, Zyderm, Zyplast and others). Collagen could be a macromolecule substance found altogether human and tissue. It makes your skin, bones and ligaments powerful whereas providing structure. Collagen is commonly used for filling wrinkles and contours and scars on your face, neck and back. Zyderm and Zyplast cosmetic injections use albuminoid from oxen, referred to as “bovine albuminoid.” CosmoPlast and CosmoDerm injections use extremely pure human albuminoid, a natural protein that supports the skin and helps make full albuminoid lost with time, exposure to daylight and different factors. Other albuminoids employed in cosmetic procedures embody collagen from human remains skin that has been sterilized, purified and processed into a liquid form. Brand names of this type embody Cymetra, Dermalogen and Fascian. These fillers are rarely used anymore.Collagen injections typically take less than an hour, and for best results, should be repeated every one to two months. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists area unit best suited to providing albuminoid injections. Rare aspect effects embody the formation of tiny, temporary bumps beneath the skin, infection and scarring.
• Fat fillers. Your aesthetic specialty physician may suggest afat filler, in which fat is removed from another part of your body and injected into the wrinkle/line. Since the fat is of your own body, the risk of complications is very low.
• Synthetic fillers (polymethyl methacrylate, hydoxylapatite and polylactic acid).Synthetic fillers are used for filling facial wrinkles and folds. It takes less than an hour for synthetic filler injections, and the results can last anywhere from six months to five or more years, depending on the filler product. Synthetic fillers ought to be administered by plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Synthetic fillers differ depending on the brand:
  • Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) contains twenty p.c PMMA beads suspended in eighty p.c albuminoid. A few months when injection, the collagen breaks down, sparking your body to produce its own natural collagen to fill in the space. Unlike other fillers, it is not absorbed by the body. Brand names include Articol, Artefill and Metacrill.
  • Hydroxylapatite is an injectable gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a substance found in teeth and bones and is used for numerous medical applications including cheek, jaw, skull and chin implants. Brand names of the injectable form include Radiesse and Radiance.
  • Polylactic acid could be a compound employed in various medical merchandise, such as stitches and screws used to repair broken bones. Although Polylactic acid has solely been approved to revive form and contour to the faces of these with AIDS, it’s usually used “off label” for cosmetic treatments. Polylactic acid treatments do not produce immediate results because they stimulate college production, so it may take up to a few months the full effect. Although polylactic acid is considered semipermanent, you may need an occasional touch-up treatment. Brand names include Sculptra and New-Fill.

Skin Resurfacing

These techniques square measure designed to sleek fine lines and wrinkles, get obviate brown spots, scale back sun harm and shrink pores. The level of intensity varies from delicate chemical peels to optical maser resurfacing and optical maser pulses, and after-effects vary from delicate redness to peeling and scabbing. Skin may additionally be terribly sensitive to daylight and unable to tan.

• Chemical peels. A chemical resolution is “painted” onto your face to virtually “peel away” broken prime layers of skin. Solutions vary from delicate alpha radical acids to stronger acids like trichloracetic acid (TCA) and phenol. It takes from 15 minutes to two hours for a chemical peel, depending on the strength of the peel.Chemical peels cost an average of $764; specific cost depends on the strength. Aestheticians may perform mild peels. Plastic surgeons or dermatologists square measure your best bet for stronger peels.
• Microdermabrasion. A more superficial form of dermabrasion (described below), microdermabrasion uses crystals or a diamond tip to lightly smooth the top layer of your skin. It is used for fine lines, crow’s feet, age spots and superficial skin condition scars. Microdermabrasion takes regarding half-hour and needs no anaesthesia. For best results, many folks begin with a microdermabrasion treatment each time period then move to at least one per month as maintenance. Each session prices regarding $154.Microdermabrasion could also be performed by aestheticians, commissioned cosmetologists, plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Complications are rare.
• Laser skin resurfacing. In optical maser resurfacing, or optical maser peel, the doctor uses a laser beam of light to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin. New cells kind because the skin heals, making a sander, tighter, younger-looking appearance. Laser resurfacing is employed for minimizing the looks of fine lines, uneven pigmentation and facial scars. It works best for light-skinned women. The treatment takes between 30 minutes to two hours and is typically performed under local or general anesthesia. Each treatment costs an average of $1,113 to $2,222 and the results last a year or more. Laser skin resurfacing is best performed by a certified optical maser specialist, usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Possible complications embody burns, scarring, obvious lightening or darkening of the skin. It may also activate herpes virus or other infections.
• Plasma skin rejuvenation (Portrait). This nonablative procedure improves skin texture and reduces wrinkles and irregular skin coloring by delivering unit of time pulses of chemical element plasma energy to the skin. The procedure takes about 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the extent of the work. Discomfort could also be managed with pretreatment application of anaesthesia. The skin is red for regarding six days on the average. The optimum results might need one to 3 procedures, depending on the energy and settings used. There is typically marked improvement in wrinkles while not making a wound. Improvements are noted after a month and continue to improve with subsequent treatments. The average cost is about $1,800.
• Fractional photothermolysis or fractional resurfacing. This technology removes alittle fraction of the surface of the skin throughout every treatment to resurface the skin. This procedure is analogous to a resurfacing optical maser, however with abundant less down time. The micro-injury causes the collagen to remodel. This procedure is employed for giant pores, pigment abnormalities and acne scars. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, and you may require three to five treatments for the best results. The cost is between $750 and $2,500 per treatment.
• Noninvasive skin tightening. Noninvasive skin alteration uses radiofrequency technology or periodic lightweight to treat wrinkles and droopy skin. Unlike optical maser treatments, this technology can be used on all skin types, on patients of nearly any age and on almost any body part where skin tightness is a concern. Brand names embody Thermage, Accent (both radiofrequency) and Titan (pulsed light). Prices vary and vary between $400 and $800 per visit.

Hair Removal

Treatments like electrolysis or optical maser hair removal will keep you sleek longer than razors, tweezers or waxing. The two most common treatments are electrolysis, in which an electric current is used to permanently destroy the hair follicle, and laser treatments, which use a laser to destroy the follicle. Both square measure eventually permanent when years of continual treatments. Laser hair removal solely works on dark brown or black hair. White or blond hair will not respond to the laser. Red hair might have restricted response to the optical maser treatment.

Electrolysis may be performed by an electrologist. Each session takes between 15 minutes and an hour, and the cost varies widely depending on the area from which the hair is to be removed. Risks include permanent holes where the needle penetrates the skin.

Laser hair removal takes from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the areas to be treated, and multiple sessions—usually four to six—are required. Then the patient will most likely need a maintenance treatment two to three times a year. Cost varies depending on the area being treated. Laser hair removal is best performed by a specialist or sawbones.

Possible complications of both include pain, scarring and pigmentation changes.

Prevention

1. Today, plastic surgeons perform an estimated 8.5 million minimally invasive cosmetic treatments annually, while dermatologists, otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and other medical specialists perform millions more.
2. Nonsurgical procedures make up nearly two-thirds of aesthetic treatments performed by plastic surgeons today, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
3. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2012, Americans spent $2 billion on injectable procedures; $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures; and over $483 million on other nonsurgical procedures, including laser hair removal.
4. Even something as simple as a chemical peel carries potential risks, particularly when performed by someone not properly trained in the treatment.
5. Insurance rarely, if ever, covers the cost of cosmetic treatments.
6. Few treatments are permanent. Most will need to be repeated within a few months or a few years.
7. Just because a health care provider offers a treatment doesn’t mean that person is qualified to perform the treatment. Ask for references, talk to patients and confirm certifications. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are the most qualified professionals available to provide most nonsurgical aesthetic treatments.
8. It is very important that you have realistic expectations about the treatment you choose. Ask your doctor to show you before and after photos of patients he or she has treated. Also ask how long the effects will last and how many treatments you may require and how many vials or syringes may be required for some procedures.
9. Dermal fillers are injectable products that fill fine lines and plump up wrinkles to provide a smoother, younger look. They are among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. The fillers are injected directly into wrinkles and lines. You pay by the syringe, and several syringes may be required, so ask your doctor for an estimated total cost before beginning your treatment.
10. Skin resurfacing techniques are designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, get rid of brown spots, reduce sun damage and shrink pores. The level of intensity varies from mild chemical peels to laser resurfacing and laser pulses, and after-effects range from mild redness to peeling and scabbing.

Key Q&A

1. What are the most important things I should know about nonsurgical aesthetic treatments?Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments are medical procedures, and with any medical procedure there are potential risks. If you have realistic expectations of the results, understand that most treatments are not permanent and may need to be repeated in a few months or a year to maintain results, and carefully research your options and the aesthetic specialty physician who will provide the treatment, you can achieve a natural, refreshed look that enhances your appearance.
2. Are aesthetic injectable products such as Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers safe?Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews significant clinical data on the safety and effectiveness of all drugs and medical devices before approving them for marketing in the United States. Some products have years of clinical history for other conditions before being approved for cosmetic procedures. Botox, for instance, has been approved in the United States for more nearly 25 years to treat a variety of medical conditions.
3. Is it really true that I can get a “lunchtime facelift?”That depends on what treatment you’re having. Some treatments, like dermal fillers and microdermabrasion, can provide smoother, younger-looking skin in just a few minutes. Others, such as laser resurfacing, may take days or weeks to heal.
4. What is the best way to find a aesthetic specialty physician who provides nonsurgical aesthetic treatments?Go to the websites of the major plastic surgery and dermatologic societies listed in the Resources section. They have searchable databases allowing you to find physicians in your area who provide cosmetic treatments. Also talk to friends who have had treatments and to your primary health care provider for recommendations. Just make sure you check physician credentials carefully, ensuring they are qualified to perform the specific treatment.
5. Even though many of these nonsurgical treatments are less expensive than surgery, they’re still too expensive for me. Is there any chance my insurance company will pay for part of it?It’s highly unlikely. Most insurance companies don’t cover elective treatments. However, if you are having a filler for a medical reason, like restoring your appearance after an accident, or if you have loss of fatty tissue related to AIDS, it might be covered. Also you can talk with your physician about financing options.
6. The idea of getting shots into my face gives me the willies. But I really need to do something to bring back some freshness. Any suggestions?Not all treatments require needles. Facial resurfacing with microdermabrasion or dermabrasion, for instance, are needle-free. To reduce pain associated with aesthetic treatments, your doctor will use either a local anesthetic-to numb the area being worked on-or a general anesthetic, to put you totally out. If you opt for injections, most doctors use topical anesthetics to numb the area first.
7. How do I know if my doctor is qualified for the aesthetic treatment I want?Ask a potential doctor about his or her credentials. Where was he/she trained? In what specialty did he/she do her residency? Did he/she complete a specialty fellowship? What are his/her board certifications? Also ask where your doctor trained on the treatment you’re having. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable with the answers or the doctor, find someone else.
8. My doctor says she has a “cheaper” alternative to the dermal filler I asked about. How can I find out about it?The FDA must approve all medications and medical devices before they can be marketed in the United States. The FDA also approves all devices used in treatments like dermabrasion and laser therapies. Most dermal fillers are considered medical devices. To see if a device was approved by the FDA, go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/devicesatfda/. To see if the FDA has approved a drug, go to www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/and type in the name of the drug.
9. My doctor is recommending Sculptra dermal filler, but I see it was only FDA-approved for people with AIDS. How can it be used for cosmetic reasons?Once the FDA approves a medical device or drug and it is on the market, physicians can use it for any reason. This is called “off-label” use, and it is legal. Sculptra is often used off label for cosmetic reasons, as are other nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.