Individuals seeking cosmetic surgery in their quest to look younger have a range of non-invasive techniques to choose from. According to the NHS, non-surgical techniques including dermal fillers, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and Botox now account for more than 90 percent of all cosmetic procedures.
While such treatments are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to invasive cosmetic procedures, they are not regulated in the same way and many treatments can be carried out by practitioners who do not require medical qualifications. Some procedures can even be carried out in beauty salons by doctors, dentists, nurses and beauty therapists. As such, it is vital to do your homework before undergoing any sort of cosmetic procedure. Make sure the person carrying out the procedure has the appropriate amount of training and experience. It is also important to find out what the procedure involves, possible complications and possible side effects.
Our guide offers a helpful head start to understanding a selection of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox)
What it is used for: Botox injections help facial muscles relax to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox injections can only be administered by a qualified doctor, dentist or nurse—not a beauty therapist.
Procedure: A small amount of botulinum toxin is injected into the area that is to be treated. Usually, it takes three to five days for the treatment to take effect, and up to two weeks for the full effects to be evident. The effects of the treatment are usually visible for three to four months.
Risks: It may be possible to experience some bruising at the site of the injection, and facial features in the area of the treatment may appear weak or droopy immediately afterwards. Some patients have reported experiencing flu-like symptoms in the first 24 hours after the injections, and in rare cases, serious problems including blurred vision or difficulty breathing can occur. If this is the case, seek immediate medical attention.
Microdermabrasion
What it is used for: This procedure is designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles on the skin. Small crystals and a vacuum are used to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. Microdermabrasion can only be carried out by a doctor, nurse or trained beautician.
Procedure: A handheld device is used to direct a stream of miniscule crystals across the skin in order to loosen dead cells before vacuuming them away. Skin may appear red for up to 12 hours following the procedure.
Risks: Side effects of this procedure, which may include redness and swelling, tend to be short-term. Skin may also be dry and flaky for a few days following the treatment.
Chemical peels
What it is used for: Designed to improve the overall appearance of skin including the reduction of acne and pigmentation, chemical peels remove dead cells from the surface of the skin and promote the growth of new cells. There are three types of peel to choose from: superficial, medium and deep. Superficial peels can be carried out by trained beauty therapists, although medium and deep peels should only be carried out by qualified health professionals.
Procedure: Superficial peels are used to remove skin cells from the epidermis—the outer layer of the skin. The treatment only takes a couple of minutes, although the effect is only temporary so regular treatments are needed to maintain the same appearance. Medium peels remove skin cells from the top and middle layers of the skin (the upper part of the dermis). This kind of peel stays on the skin for a few minutes, and repeat treatment is needed every six to 12 months to maintain the same effect. Deep peels penetrate down to the lower part of the dermis, and a sedative may be needed for patients undergoing this type of chemical peel. This is a ‘one off’ kind of chemical peel, so repeat treatment is not needed.
Risks: Skin may appear darker or lighter following a chemical peel, and if you have suffered from cold sores in the past there is a chance they may reoccur.
Dermal fillers
What it is used for: Dermal fillers are injections that can be used to fill out wrinkles in the skin, in addition to filling out the volume of the lips. Dermal filler treatments should only be administered by trained medical personnel.
Procedure: The practitioner injects the dermal filler into the specified area of skin through a series of small injections before gently massaging the area.
Risks: Problems following treatment can include rashes, swelling, itching and bruising. In rare cases, the filler may form small lumps under the skin that needs to be treated with surgery or medication. Over time, there is also a chance that the filler may move away from the intended area.
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