5 Minute Read:
It’s easy for us to sit back and look at our complexions and facial structures with a deductive—and critical—eye. We notice everything from fine lines around our eyes and foreheads, deep creases between the nose and mouth, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and the gradual loss of volume in our cheeks and lips.
While most women and men turn to skin creams and over-the-counter treatments to lessen the effects of the ever-turning hands of the clock, there comes a time when all the creams and lotions out there cannot suffice or cannot remedy the concern you have.
Of course, there is always plastic surgery. Procedures like facelift surgery, brow lift surgery, and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are immensely popular as they can tighten skin and reposition sagging tissues. However, not everyone is mentally or financially prepared for such an investment, and some concerns—such as skin tone and texture irregularities—cannot be remedied with anti-aging facial surgery.
Fortunately, Dr. Mabourakh and his team at Folsom Plastic Surgery have other options that may be better suited for your needs. These are non-surgical or minimally invasive cosmetic treatments performed by a skilled and knowledgeable professional and, unlike surgery, they come without the same degree of downtime, scarring, and financial investment.
Non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic enhancements have seen steady growth over recent years—with over 16 million non-surgical procedures performed in 2020—and for a good reason. These non-surgical procedures produce real results.
So what makes these treatments so popular? And are they right for you?
Have You Ever Heard of a Thread Lift? The Power of PDO Threads
Most people assume that facelift surgery—where discreet incisions are made on the sides of the face to lift the skin and underlying tissue—is the only way to tighten the “looseness” that develops in the lower face and jawline.
Yet, that’s not true.
Thread lifts, such as the NOVATHREADS made in the USA and MINT brands, can mimic the results of a face, jawline and brow lift to some degree. This non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment inserts PDO threads into the soft tissues of the face. These threads are then tightened and secured with helical barbs acting as anchors, thereby lifting sagging and repositioning facial tissues and fat while stimulating collagen in the face.
As an added plus, thread lifts are not isolated to facial rejuvenation. These threads can also be used to tighten skin on the abdomen, thighs, and knees!
It is important to note that a face, neck and brow lift and a thread lift are not a one-for-one trade. As with all non-surgical treatments, thread lifts cannot address the same extent of laxity as these surgical procedures. Schedule a consultation with Folsom Plastic Surgery to determine your candidacy.
Are Injectables All They’re Hyped Up to Be?
Injectable treatments are undoubtedly the most well-known non-surgical option, with brand names such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM®, and Restylane® weaving themselves into our regular vocabulary.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, injectables accounted for more than nine million treatments in 2020. That’s over half of all non-surgical procedures performed during that time.
So, why are they so popular? The answer is easy—they’re effective. The trick is finding the right injectable for your concern.
Injectables are separated into two categories: neuromodulators and fillers. Neuromodulators, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport®, interact with the facial nerves to prevent facial muscles from contracting to form wrinkles. Even though they block nerve transmissions, these treatments do not lead to lasting nerve damage, making repeated treatments safe.
Alternatively, dermal fillers are injectables that physically “fill” or plump areas of volume loss. This is most commonly seen in the cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and jawline.
While the final result of all dermal fillers is to restore lost volume and stimulate collagen, filler brands approach this differently. For instance, brands like JUVÉDERM®, VOLUMA®, and Restylane® are made up of hyaluronic acid that attracts and maintains moisture, whereas RADIESSE® uses calcium microspheres to plump and restore.
Whichever filler you and Folsom Plastic Surgery choose, you can expect to see fuller, more youthful facial contours.
What Are the Benefits of a Laser Treatment?
Laser treatments vary significantly and can be used for everything from wrinkles to age spots to acne scars to unwanted hair.
These techniques direct pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, treating skin layer by layer. The procedure can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
Laser skin treatments are available in different strengths and laser energies so that you can find an option suited to your skin concerns and needs. This is beneficial as no two skin types are the same, meaning that you can find a treatment that has been personally selected for you.
Can Injuring the Skin Actually Improve It?
It may sound backward, but creating superficial wounds in your skin can make it stronger, more resilient, and smoother.
Microneedling is a method that dermatologists and plastic surgeons use to treat different skin conditions, such as facial scarring, wrinkles, and texture irregularities.
The process involves using a pen or wand embedded with needles to create small wounds. These wounds force the body’s natural healing processes to go into overdrive, stimulating collagen production and elevating the overall texture of your skin.
Are Non-invasive Treatments Only for the Face?
Although the above treatments have been focused on the neck-up, the face is not the only area that can benefit from a non-invasive treatment. Those interested in non-surgical body contouring are also in luck.
CoolSculpting® is a fat-freezing procedure that slims your silhouette. Much like surgical liposuction, CoolSculpting® permanently removes fat cells from the body, resulting in long-lasting body contouring—the benefit, however, is that it does so without incisions or suctioning. CoolSculpting® is a novel concept that uses intensely cold temperatures to damage (and kill) fat cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells. The body then processes these cells naturally from the body.
CoolSculpting® can be applied anywhere from the abs to the thighs to the hips to the back. It can even be used to minimize a double chin!
Interested in Learning More?
Consulting with a qualified and experienced specialist is the best way to determine which non-invasive procedure will be most effective for you. Dr. Mabourakh offers thread lifts, laser resurfacing, injectables, microneedling, and CoolSculpting® to his patients.
If you are interested in learning more about our non-invasive or surgical procedures, call our Folsom office at (916) 984-8585, our Stockton office at (209) 464-5656, or fill our online form to schedule a consultation.
