It is no secret that the average woman looks in the mirror a minimum of eight times per day. Whether it be to check her hair, check her makeup, or even to evaluate that new spot that was not there this morning, she relies on that reflective reassurance. But, as sure as time goes by, that reflection changes from the woman she once was to the woman she sees now. The beauty of good cosmetic surgery is that you don’t have to choose between a less rejuvenated you and a fake, “plastic-y” you. That is the point of good cosmetic work: not to make someone look radically different, but to make us look the way we feel we ought to look.
There are a variety of procedures, some more invasive than others, that you can do to help improve your looks without drastically changing them. So what are they?
Botox is the most common procedure for beginners. It is quick, effective, and offers results in a matter of a few days. Typical areas for Botox include the forehead, “11” lines (frown lines) between your eyebrows, and your crow’s feet. It works by paralyzing your muscles that create deep expression lines on your face, softening your appearance and making you look more refreshed and vibrant. Botox usually lasts 3 months on average before treatment should be repeated.
Juvederm is next in line for common treatments for beginners. It is just as easy as Botox and offers instant results. Juvederm is a filler product made of a naturally occurring substance in our bodies known as hyaluronic acid which plumps up areas where we lack the fullness we had in our youth. The most common area of treatment are the nasolabial folds, also called your smile lines. You can also decrease the wrinkles around the mouth, plump your lips, as well as the lines that extend from the corner of your moth to your chin (we call these marionette lines). Treatments typically last up to 1 year.
Another form of Juvederm is called Voluma. Voluma is made specifically instantly to add volume to your cheek area to correct age-related volume loss. It can give you contour and a subtle lift for up to two years with optimal treatment.
Kybella is the newest product on the market and is very unique coomplared to the rest of the non-invasive treatments. It is specifically designed to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin.” The best part is, results are likely permanent.
One area that many patients are concerned about is the eyes. Volume loss below the eyes causes discoloration and bags, where excess skin above the eyes makes them look tired. Blepharoplasty is often the best treatment to correct these issues. It results leave you looking more rested and rejuvenated with very little down time.
Cosmetic surgery doesn’t have to mean completely changing the way you look. If you have the right procedures, the right products, and the right practitioner, you can discover the best version of yourself.