Fear Not: Easy Cosmetic Procedures

It can often be scary thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done. But there are quite a few procedures that are not all that scary. Even the biggest scaredy cats of us all will find the procedures on this list manageable.

Botox and Injectable Fillers

Wrinkle reducers such as Botox are definitely the most “un-scary.” Women or men with excessive wrinkles, furrow lines in their forehead or “crow’s feet” can be helped with Botox treatment. Kathy Shumway at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery in La Jolla says, “The least scary procedures seem to be the wrinkle reducers … products like Botox and Dysport or the array of facial fillers like Juvederm and Restylane which now have lidocaine to ease the discomfort of the injection.” 

And the procedure is remarkably simple and easy. A small needle is injected under the skin and the impulse that causes muscle movement is blocked. The appearance of lines and wrinkles is instantly decreased because those muscle movements that had been causing your wrinkles have been reprimanded.

Injectable fillers are definitely not scary. Much like Botox, injectable fillers help fill facial folds and correct wrinkles. Injectable fillers include Perlane, Restylane and Radiesse, which has been proven to last up to 18 months. Most fillers are made from naturally occurring components and the procedure is much like that of Botox. A small needle is injected into the skin and the filler plumps and volumizes the skin. Lines or wrinkles that exist even when the muscles aren’t contracting are usually fixed with injectable fillers.

“Their popularity is mainly due to cost and the ‘quick fix’ concept. The results are immediate with slight redness and swelling that dissipates within a few hours to a day or two,” says Shumway.

The results of Botox tend to last three to six months, at which point patients can decide to repeat the procedure. There is usually little to no recovery time needed, which means you can be looking your best for your big interview tomorrow morning by tonight.

Photorejuvenation

Photorejuvenation is another non-scary procedure. The name sounds pleasant and the results are just as pleasant. Photorejuvenation can treat a variety of skin conditions including fine lines and wrinkles and is completely non-invasive. Photorejuvenation also produces an even-looking skin tone which gives off a youthful appearance without removing any layers of the skin.

The procedure is done using non-laser Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology. Collagen production is stimulated when the skin’s surface is penetrated by the amounts of light energy. New collagen formation softens the appearance of aging skin, helps fill in fine lines and wrinkles and can even decrease redness associated with rosacea. Each treatment takes only about 15 to 30 minutes and most patients barely feel a thing.

Laser Resurfacing

While the name sounds really scary, laser resurfacing really isn’t that bad. Laser resurfacing helps with a number of different conditions including wrinkles, improving skin texture and stimulating collagen production. Plus, the results are incredible.

Shumway says, “The most dramatic results we see are with laser resurfacing.  We like the ‘gold standard’ Ultrapulse CO2 laser.  Dramatic result, you’ll look 10 years younger.”  The beams of energy from a laser create columns of tissue coagulation without damaging the surrounding tissue. This process spurs the healing process which will in turn form healthy tissue.

Even if you’ve always been afraid of cosmetic procedures, perhaps a re-evaluation is in order. There are lots of new procedures available in San Diego cosmetic surgery offices, all using the latest technology. Many are completely non-invasive, produce results immediately and are minimally, if at all, painful. Shumway Cosmetic Surgery offers a wide variety of options to choose from including Botox, chemical peels and laser resurfacing. Cosmetic procedures can be scary, but with the proper knowledge, you can find the best option to enhance yourself without plastic surgery bandages. For more information, visit Shumwaycosmeticsurgery.com.