Why have plastic surgery when there may be a non-surgical, minimally invasive alternative available? In recent years, the number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has skyrocketed. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon reports that between 2000 and 2017, there’s been almost a 200% increase in the number of minimally invasive procedures.
Skipping surgery and going the non-surgical route has many benefits. It usually means a lot less time devoted to recovery and preparing for the procedure, as well as a lower price tag. In recent months, Dr. Naderi has seen an uptick in requests for the five procedures below in particular.
Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty
Sometimes known as the “15-minute nose job,” non-surgical rhinoplasty can be an ideal option for some patients. It’s suitable for people who want to make small cosmetic changes to their nose without the surgery and lengthy recovery required after a traditional rhinoplasty.
Usually, a surgeon will use a hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane when performing a non-surgical rhinoplasty. The injection can fill in dents or subtly change the shape of the nose. The process usually takes just a few minutes and provides results that last for several months.
The results from the procedure are immediately visible. Patients are able to get back to their daily lives right after the injections. They don’t have to worry about avoiding activities or taking lots of time off from work.
Since the results will fade away over time, many people decide to schedule follow-up appointments to repeat the process. A non-surgical rhinoplasty won’t fix every cosmetic nasal issue, so it’s important to talk a surgeon to make sure it’s the right option for you.
Lip Injections
Kylie Jenner might have let her lip injections dissolve, but the non-surgical procedure remains popular in 2018. Fuller lips look more youthful and help to balance out the other facial features. Lip injections can also help to minimize wrinkles around the mouth.
Usually, a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Restylane or Juvederm, is used to add volume to the lips. Juvederm has even developed a filler called Volbella, that is designed specifically for use in the lips. Volbella is made with a low concentration of HA and is designed not to take in as much water as other fillers. As a result, it’s less likely to cause lip swelling after injection. Results can last for up to 12 months and are usually visible immediately after injection.
Tear-Trough Injections
For a long time, dark circles under the eyes were one of the most difficult cosmetic concerns to treat. As people get older, it’s common for the tear trough, located beneath the eye, to lose volume. The result is shadows and hollow-looking eyes.
Fortunately, tear trough injections using fillers can help to restore volume to the under-eye area, reducing the appearance of shadows and circles. Juvederm Voluma and Restylane are the most common filler choices. The results usually last for about 12 months, sometimes longer. The injections can be repeated to keep dark circles from reappearing.
Non-Surgical Butt Lift
The Brazilian butt lift has been a popular procedure for a while now, since rounder, fuller backsides are currently trendy. The surgical butt lift requires the removal of fat from one area of the body and the injection of that fat into the buttocks. It’s a procedure with a relatively long recovery time and patients need enough extra fat to be candidates.
A non-surgical butt lift uses the injectable filler Sculptra to achieve similar results. Sculptra works by encouraging the production of collagen, creating a fuller backside. Usually, people using Sculptra for a non-surgical butt lift need several syringes of the filler. However, the process still takes less time and has a shorter recovery period than the surgical Brazilian butt lift surgery.
Non-Surgical Cheek/Chin Augmentation
Occasionally, when a person is bothered by one facial feature, such as the nose, it might be that another feature, such as the chin, is what’s really to blame. A small chin can make an average-sized nose look larger, for example. Although surgically placed chin and cheek implants are available, many patients prefer a non-surgical procedure, such as getting Voluma injections to add volume to the cheeks or chin.
Voluma is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler for adding volume to the cheek area. It’s thicker than most other hyaluronic acid fillers, which allows it to lift and add volume to the cheek area, much like implants would. The treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes and provides results that can last for a couple of years.
A shorter recovery time, a lower upfront cost, and less commitment overall are just a few of the advantages of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Dr. Shervin Naderi has seen an uptick in the above five procedures at his practice in Virginia. To learn more about your minimally invasive cosmetic treatment options, call 703-481-0002 (Reston, VA Office) or 301-222-2020 (Chevy Chase, MD) to learn more. You can also contact us online to learn more.