Top 5 Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
(ASPS) reported that the number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed in 2014 increased 4% from 2013, and a whopping 154% from 2000.

Here are the most popular.

Under the brand names Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport, this toxin is injected into areas of the face to block muscular nerve signals and weaken muscles so they can’t contract. As a result, you’ll see a reduction of wrinkles and smoother skin. Common sites for this injection are the Crow’s feet around the eyes and frown lines on the forehead.

*Number of anatomic sites injected

As we age, we naturally lose fat beneath the skin, which results in a more sunken look on our faces. Our cheeks lose their volume most noticeably, and fillers such as Radiesse and Juvéderm help return their fullness. Other fillers, such as Restylane and Belotero, can help plump thinning lips and fill in and smooth facial creases, such as nasolabial folds.

Chemical peels are commonly used to eliminate layers of skin that have been damaged by the sun, acne, or other skin conditions. They can help improve acne scars, age and liver spots, and pigmented skin by stimulating new skin growth. Peels are available in different formulas, and a board-certified plastic surgeon will help you decide which is best for you, as well as how deep the peel should go beneath the epidermis. Top chemical peels include TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and phenol.

Using highly-concentrated light (and thus, heat!) to damage hair follicles, this process inhibits future growth. It may take several treatments to achieve the desired results, and maintenance of the treated area may be required in the future.

Microdermabrasion is lightly abrasive treatment to gently sand away the outer layer of your skin and stimulate collagen production to improve your complexion. The procedure helps refresh the skin by reducing or eliminating large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and improving uneven skin tone. Microdermabrasion can be performed two ways. The first involves spraying exfoliating crystals onto the skin, which are then suctioned back into a machine, along with the loose skin cells. The second, newer method uses a diamond-tipped wand across the skin to exfoliate.