Are you squeamish? Afraid of needles and blood? A lot of people are. Plastic surgery is very popular, but for many people, the benefits don’t outweigh the fear of the process and the recovery time. We can tell you all day long that recovering from plastic surgery doesn’t have to hurt, but that doesn’t mean you’ll believe it. If that’s you, no worries–there’s a huge range of great non-invasive skin treatments that can transform your skin without surgery or extensive downtime. Some don’t even require any needles!
Because we all lead busy lives and we’re all unique human beings, surgery just doesn’t work for everyone. It’s also not right for every skin concern. And let’s face it–if you can reach your goals without surgery, all the better! That’s why there’s been a huge push in the plastic surgery industry over the last few years to develop these powerful new non-invasive skin treatments. But how do these treatments work to transform your skin?
Defining Non-Invasive Skin Treatments
OK, so what is a non-invasive treatment? Essentially, non-invasive means that medical instruments do not penetrate the skin during the procedure. Non-invasive cosmetic treatments typically involve a device that works from the outside, using one or more types of energy to encourage the body to repair itself. While most of these procedures involve skin rejuvenation, a few, like CoolSculpting, help patients accomplish other goals like fat reduction.
Minimally-invasive procedures are a little bit different. They may involve an injection or a few tiny incisions. Basically, these treatments might make people a little squeamish or require a day or two of healing time, but they’re very low-risk and really aren’t a big deal. Popular anti-aging treatments like fillers and Botox fall into this category. Some minimally-invasive treatments have people up and back to their normal routines immediately, no downtime needed.
Non-Invasive Treatments: Putting Your Body to Work
The body can be our greatest ally in getting younger-looking skin, with the right encouragement. Our bodies are designed to repair themselves, but this ability starts to slow down as we age. Our skin takes a beating on a daily basis, which can eventually lead to dull skin, wrinkles, and sagging. Since our complexion can feel like a reflection of our health and energy, getting older can sometimes feel devastating. Luckily, some of these changes can be improved or reversed without surgery.
So how do non-invasive treatments put your body to work on rejuvenating your skin’s youth and beauty? There are several different types of non-invasive skin treatments that each work a little bit differently.
Laser Treatments
While traditional laser treatments actually removed the top layers of skin cells so that the body could replace them, newer treatments are gentler and require less downtime. New lasers work a little bit differently–instead of the harsh “ablative” lasers, most of the lasers today are “non-ablative.” That means that they don’t remove the entire layer of skin but instead use gentler light energy to rejuvenate the skin and encourage cell turnover. PicoSure and The Clear+Brilliant Permea Laser are just two of the many great options on the market.
Collagen Remodeling Treatments
Many treatments work by initiating “collagen remodeling.” Collagen is the essential structural protein that gives our skin a scaffold, supporting it and keeping it firm and supple. Our bodies make lots of collagen when we’re young, but this production starts to slow down as we age. By directing energy beneath the skin, the body’s healing responses kick into high gear, causing it to produce more collagen. Ultrasound and radiofrequency are two of the most common types of energy for skin rejuvenation. The results of these treatments aren’t visible immediately since the body needs time to produce the collagen, but the results will improve over the course of several months. Treatments like Ultherapy and Tripollar use these technologies to lift and restore the skin for a more youthful look.
Topical Skin Refreshment Treatments
Finally, topical treatments like exfoliation can also help improve the complexion non-invasively. Gentle Chemical peels and Microdermabrasion are just two options for removing dead and damaged skin cells for a healthy, glowing complexion with no downtime.
An Ongoing Commitment to Skin Health
Non-invasive skin treatments are perfect for people who don’t want to deal with surgery or downtime, but they don’t stop the aging process altogether. Eventually, collagen levels will begin to slow down again and the aging process will continue. Don’t get discouraged, though–an ongoing commitment to skin health can help keep your skin looking gorgeous for years. Touch-up procedures, combined with a healthy lifestyle and high-quality skin products like Iridesse can give you an enviable complexion. If you want to be the person who prompts others to say “wow, they look great for their age!” it’s going to take a little work.
Luckily, the skin experts at the Hillelson-Whipple Clinic in Richmond, VA can help. Dr. Ruth Hillelson, a board-certified plastic surgeon and co-founder of the practice, developed the Iridesse skincare line after years of dedication to skin health. Dr. Hillelson and her colleagues are dedicated to helping each patient achieve a beautiful glow from the inside out. For more information about non-invasive skin treatments in Richmond, call 804.290.0060 today to schedule a consultation.