Millions of people choose noninvasive cosmetic treatments each year to improve their appearance. These beauty treatments are less invasive than surgical procedures and typically require shorter recovery periods. They also cost less and have a lower risk of complications.
But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know what the best ones are for your skin. We’ve put together a quick guide to some of the most popular minimally invasive beauty treatments.
Microdermabrasion
A facial treatment that’s basically exfoliation-taken-to-the-next level, microdermabrasion is a great way to even out your complexion. It helps fade scarring, unclogs clogged pores, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and can also help with hyperpigmentation and age spots. It can also boost the glow of your skin and leave it looking brighter, smoother and younger.
During the treatment, a handheld device is used to blast tiny crystals onto the surface of the skin that remove dead skin cells. Then, the device vacuums up the dead skin cells, allowing new, fresh skin to emerge. This is especially useful for patients with scarring and discoloration, as it can remove the top layer of dead skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response to produce smoother, more vibrant skin.
The procedure is safe for almost all skin types. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid this type of treatment as the crystals can cause irritation. Also, the suctioning action of the machine can sometimes lead to bruising and dilated capillaries. This is particularly true if the technician cranks up the suction pressure too high.
Before you have your microdermabrasion session, make sure you cleanse your face and avoid using astringents or any retinol-containing products for at least three nights before your appointment. You should also avoid chemical peel treatments in the weeks leading up to and following your appointment.
After the treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling as the old dead skin begins to slough away. You may also find that your skin feels dry and flaky for a day or two. It’s important to moisturize and use sunscreen, as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after your treatment.
The results of your microdermabrasion treatment can last for months, but you will want to come in for regular maintenance sessions to keep your complexion radiant. The team at Touch of Beauty can advise you on the frequency of your treatment. They can also recommend the right products to ensure you have glowing, healthy-looking skin. This could include a gentle exfoliating scrub like the Stone Crop Gel Wash or a rich moisturizer with antioxidant-rich plants like lingonberry seed oil.
PDO Threads
Unlike dermal fillers, PDO threads are made of a dissolvable material that causes no harm to your skin. In addition, PDO threading stimulates collagen production, which can help your skin look firm and youthful for up to two years.
The treatment itself is relatively quick and painless. The first step involves numbing the area using a topical anesthetic. Then, a specialist will insert the threads with needles. This part of the procedure usually only takes about 30 minutes. Once the threads are in place, they will lift and tighten your face. The procedure can also be used to lift loose skin on other parts of the body, such as the neck, abdomen, and thighs.
There are several different types of PDO threads, each with a different purpose. During your consultation, we’ll determine which type is best for your needs. The most common threads are called PD mono threads and have smooth sutures that help rejuvenate the skin by stimulating collagen production. Other popular threads are PD cog threads, which have barbs that latch into the skin like fishhooks to provide support and lift areas of your face.
In addition to lifting and tightening the face, PDO threads can also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. They can also stimulate the growth of new skin cells, which can lead to a more radiant appearance. The best part is that these results last longer than other anti-aging treatments, such as dermal fillers.
The PDO thread lift is a great option for anyone who wants to look younger but doesn’t want to undergo the recovery process of a surgical facelift. The treatment is also ideal for patients who have sagging skin due to the natural aging process or after losing weight.
The treatment is safe for most people, but it’s important to choose a reputable practitioner. You should avoid consuming alcohol and taking blood-thinning medications before your appointment to reduce the risk of bleeding or bruising. You should also avoid rubbing the treated area to prevent accidentally dislodging the threads. After your treatment, you may experience some swelling or bruising, but these side effects should resolve quickly.
HydraFacial
There is a beauty treatment for almost any woe you can think of: erase forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet with injectables, tighten skin with microcurrent devices, or get rid of acne with chemical peels. But for those with more general concerns, nothing delivers results like a Hydrafacial. This popular facial treatment is a combination of cleansing, exfoliation, a gentle chemical peel, and collagen building. It also treats pore congestion, acne breakouts, and fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, it provides a deep hydrating effect that leaves your skin plump and radiant.
HydraFacials are especially helpful for those with sensitive skin since there is no pain or discomfort involved during the procedure. The device uses an exfoliating tip paired with suction to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, says master esthetician Sarah Akram. Then, the treatment is customized with serums that address specific skincare needs. “After all the gunk is gone, the hydrating process begins and the skin looks plump, juicy, and glowy,” she says.
While HydraFacials are a great option for all skin types and concerns, they’re especially effective for anyone with large pores, brown spots, or who suffers from uneven skin tone. They’re also a good choice for those with rosacea or sunburns, since the treatment can be customized to avoid irritation.
The best thing about HydraFacials is that there’s no downtime at all. You may have a little bit of redness or sensitivity immediately after the treatment, but it shouldn’t last more than two to four hours. And because the treatment is so customizable, it’s suitable for all ages—from teenagers who are dealing with acne to middle-aged women trying to fight hyperpigmentation and signs of ageing.
It’s recommended to schedule a HydraFacial every month to maintain the smooth and radiant results—or at least once a quarter to reset your face between seasons. It’s important to avoid working out too vigorously after the procedure, however, since excessive heat and perspiration can cause your freshly exfoliated skin to feel overburdened. Also, you should skip waxing for a week after your HydraFacial to ensure you don’t irritate it.
Botox
The use of wrinkle relaxers is booming as more and more people look to restore their natural beauty without the risk of surgery. Injectable wrinkle relaxers like Botox and dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of fine lines, creases and wrinkles that make you look older than you really are. They are commonly done with lip fillers Edmonton to achieve a more youthful and glamorous look.
Unlike other cosmetic treatments, which rely on the body’s own growth hormones to increase skin thickness, muscle relaxers use a synthetic chemical, botulinum toxin type A (abbreviated as BTX-A), to temporarily paralyze muscles. BTX-A works by binding to the nerve receptors in the muscles and blocking them from sending a signal to contract. This reduces the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines and forehead wrinkles.
In addition to being used for aesthetic reasons, BTX-A is also FDA approved to treat cervical dystonia (a condition where your neck muscles involuntarily contract), uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm), lazy eye (muscle contractions in the area of the eyes) and severe underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis). The most common use of BTX-A, however, is to relax the muscle between the eyebrows to reduce the appearance of glabellar lines.
Before getting any type of botulinum injections, it is important to consult with a doctor who is licensed to perform the procedure. They will ask you about any allergies or health conditions that could cause the treatment to be unsafe. You should also stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin several days before the procedure to avoid bruising.
Once your doctor approves you to have the injections, they will inject them into the desired areas of the face. Afterward, you should take some time to rest and recover from the procedure. You may experience some temporary bruising that will clear up in a few hours or less.
Despite the recent public backlash against plastic surgery, plenty of celebrities swear by it and say that it is worth the pain. As long as you visit a licensed and experienced doctor, botox is considered a safe and minimally invasive way to target fine lines and wrinkles.