These are frontier days for the pursuit of youth and beauty. Even though plastic surgery might be an excellent means to that end, many people simply don’t want surgery, can’t afford surgery or are too young to need surgery. And many people have had surgery, but need additional non-surgical corrections.
The core treatment for such goals should a skin care system that makes positive changes. This is followed by injectable products and lasers early in life, a combination that can forego more invasive surgery for many years to come.
The tools required for new and increasingly popular elixirs of non-surgical youth are the syringe, light, heat and judgment. With new injectable serums and gels and procedures arriving daily, one’s quest for youth is available to virtually anyone through your plastic surgeon or medical spa.
Statistics show that in 2005 nearly 11.5 million cosmetic procedures were performed and 9.3 million of them were non-surgical, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Nearly3.3 million Botox injections alone were performed. But professionals also performed 1.9 million injections of Hyaluronic acid such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other products like Sculptra, which restore lost facial volume.
Because these injectables (Botox, wrinkle fillers and volumizers) are less expensive than surgery and offer minimal down time, men and women are undergoing these treatments in ever increasing numbers.
Below is a brief description of some of the latest products available.
Botox Cosmetic
WHAT: A derivative of botulinum toxin type A, FDA approved. Botox basically paralyzes a muscle, like the frown lines or crow’s feet muscles.
USED FOR: Lines and wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows and the “laugh lines” on the outer corner of the eyes.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: Short-lived effect, 4 months or so. Minimal bruising and rare temporary eyelid droop. Treatments should be repeated every 3-5 months.
COSTS: According to the number of areas injected and your physician’s charges. Generally, $200-480 per treatment, according to how much is needed.
Restylane
WHAT: Hyaluronic acid filler approved by the FDA.
USED FOR: Filling in wrinkles and folds in the face, especially around the mouth and deep creases between the corner of mouth and nose. Often used to plump lips and fill the hollow under the lower eyelids.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: Possible swelling and bruising up to a week as with any injection.
UPSIDE: Lasts 6 to 9 months according to the area injected.
COSTS: $500 to 550 per syringe
Perlane
WHAT: Larger molecule hyaluronic acid filler. FDA approved.
USED FOR: Wrinkles, deeper folds, lip enhancement, deflated mid-cheek.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDES: May be bruising as with any injectable.
UPSIDE: Longer lasting hyaluronic acid filler. Lasts 9 –12 plus months, according to the area injected.
COST: $500-550 per syringe
Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra Plus
WHAT: Hyaluronic acid filler similar to Restylane and Perlane. FDA approved.
USED FOR: Lines around the mouth and nose areas, lip enhancing. All of the hyaluronic acid products are used similarly.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: Swelling and possible bruising up to a week.
UPSIDE: May last up to a year
COST: $500-585 per syringe
Sculptra
WHAT: Synthetic poly-l- lactic acid filler.
USED FOR: Areas where volume has diminished with age, such as the hollow under the eyes, cheek, chin, jaw line, temporal region, around mouth and hands.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: Swelling with possibly bruising for a 1 week or so. Three treatments usually needed.
UPSIDE: Generally lasts two years, best product to revolumize the lost volumes of the face.
COST: $800-1800 per treatment, according to amount needed. Three treatments usually needed 4-6 weeks apart.
Artefill
WHAT: Combination of synthetic polymethacrylate and bovine collagen, FDA approved.
USED FOR: Filling creases between corners of the mouth and nose.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: Skin test required. Possible swelling and bruising.
UPSIDE: Long lasting, possibly permanent
COST: $750 to 850 per syringe. May take 2-3 syringes and two treatments for optimum result.
LASERS
Fraxel Laser (Erbium and CO2)
WHAT: A device that vaporizes micro-holes into the skin. The Re:store Fraxel is an erbium based laser. The Re:pair Fraxel is a CO2 laser, which is a more aggressive treatment.
USED FOR: Repairing sun damage, fine wrinkles, brown spots and skin tightening. Also for scars and stretch marks. Used on face, neck, body, arms and hands. Erbium is for milder cases of sun damage, and the CO2 Fraxel is best for severe damage and for those who want significant tightening of the skin.
DOWNTIME: 2-5 days for the Re:store and longer for the Re:pair, according to the settings.
DOWNSIDE: 3-4 treatments for optimum results performed 4-6 weeks apart for the Re:store. One treatment for the Re:pair.
COST: $750-1,000 per treatment for face. $500 for neck.
Laser-type Heat Treatments
WHAT: Infrared frequency devices, such as Titan, heat collagen below the surface while cooling the surface.
USED FOR: Skin Tightening on virtually any body part.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDES: Results may be subtle. May require several treatments.
COST: $700-800 per treatment
IPL (Intense Pulse Light)
WHAT: This is a light/heat treatment much like a laser
USED FOR: Superficial age spots, enlarged facial capillaries, rosacea
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: May require multiple treatments.
COST: $200 per treatment
Laser Genesis
WHAT: a laser for reduction of age spots, small varices and veins, facial tightening
USED FOR: See above. It may be used with the Titan and IPL for a more profound result. It is also used for hair removal and to reduce redness in scars and stretch marks.
DOWNTIME: None
DOWNSIDE: May require several treatments.
COST: $175-200 per treatment
