Non Surgical Techniques in Beauty Rejuvenation

No pain, no gain? That’s not necessarily true with these aesthetics medical breakthroughs. People have truly started to be more health conscious more than ever. But with their continued efforts to want to look good. Actually, as one would say, when you look good, you feel good. Though as they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, now, it’s literally on everyone’s minds. Before the turn of the century, people clamored and were enamored by the results achieved by silicone, which was used for breast implants and injections. The distressing issue, though, was its numerous ill effects that occurred many years after its introduction and instillation. This was followed by collagen of animal derivation, and though kinder in terms of complications, its many deleterious effects were also noted and thus, it fell out of grace. With new materials and better motivation to improve cosmetics and from all fronts, the next move in the medical field was to provide an armamentarium of age-defying procedures and solutions that may delay aging and a the same time consider safety and consistency in our profit-driven market and life.

Botox (Botulinum Toxim) By itself and ranked as such, this injectable remains to be the so-called “wonder drug” of choice. Its use is wide and even utilized by neurologists for headaches and muscle spasms. Other uses include axillary, palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Botox, when injected in the face, inhibits muscular contraction on the site and decreases facial lines, furrows, and wrinkles.

Done in minutes and definitely an outpatient procedure, it may cause problems like all other beauty treatments listed below, though there is no downtime. Be wary of the “overly-Botoxed” look, which gives the appearance of wearing a mask. Prices wary on the amount used. May be repeated after several months and in tandem with fillers, as they only last from 3-8 months (it depends on individualized absorption rates).

Fat Injections (Autologous Fat Transplants). This procedure falls in a grey zone because to harvest the needed fat tissues, a Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (SAL) is required before the reimplantation in another body part. Therefore, it is also in the surgical category, as a stab incision is made for the Liposuction cannula to be introduced.  The harvested fat tissues are then centrifuged aseptically and reintroduced to areas with depressions or contour abnormalities. It has great use for Romberg’s disease (people with uneven progressive and deforming loss of tissue on the hemiface), as well as on rejuvenation of hands, buttocks, minimal breast refills, you name it. Downtime is about several days or weeks and may be done outpatient. Cost depends on the amount of work and injections.

Injectable Fillers (Facelifts). There have been many approved by FDA, most of which would be the 5-hyaluronic acid-based formulations, namely Restylane, Hylaform, Juviderm, and the like. When people start to have fine to deep wrinkles, these are the solutions that plump, fill, and smoothen them by being injected into varying depths of the skin and lips. There have been many controversies with these solutions especially on how much to use and when to redo (usually 3-9 months). Prices depend on the amount injected.

Facelift with Contour Threads. Using suspension barbed sutures to elevate sagging tissues and skin, the Contour Thread is FDA approved. This less invasive procedure depends on experience and therefore based on a so-called Learning Curve. The actual use has many potential risks in the hands of an inexperienced doctor. Their effects, of course, last shorter than the usual surgical lift. Prices depend on where te trouble areas area and how much work is needed. Downtime is only for a few days.

Multiple Session Treatments

• Fractional Resurfacing. Brand names such as Fraxel and Lux-R use microscopic thermal light to erase and smoothen pigments and lines. This is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia. No downtime and the cost varies per session.
• Skin-Tightening, Energy-Based Procedures. Radiofrequency-based energy methods like Thermage tightens the collagen fibrils and stimulates the skin to produce more collagen. Done on an outpatient basis with no downtime.

Non-traditional Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)

• Injectable Cellulite Solution. Though not yet FDA approved, the concept is to use injections of carbon dioxide into the subcutaneous tissues, dissolving the fat cells. This then dilates the capillaries, which results in oxygen flow to the area. With that, it eliminates the fluid buildup and claims to decrease adipose accumulation in the future and at the same time improves tissue oxygenation. Short to long term carbon dioxide risks are still in question.

On the other side of the spectrum, here’s a rundown of surgical cosmetic procedures:

• Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
• Breastlift (Mastopexy)
• Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammoplasty)

Autologous vs Implants

• Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
• Body Lift (Circumferential Lift)
• Buttocks Lift

With Implants or otherwise

• Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
• Brow or Forehead Lift
• Facelift (Rhytidectomy) and Necklift

Temporal, Mid, Lower Face

• Facial Augmentation (Chin, Cheek, Jaw)
• Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
• Thigh Lift