NON-SURGICAL AESTHETICS

from Living Magazine July 2023

A SMATTERING of stuff

A Peek at Popular Options

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF AESTHETIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY (AAAMS), 92% OF AMERICANS UNDERGOING COSMETIC PROCEDURES — SURGICAL AND NON-SURGICAL — ARE WOMEN. HERE’S A PEEK AT SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR NON-SURGICAL OPTIONS.

Botox - This injectable neurotoxin treatment relaxes facial muscles relatively quickly and with minimal discomfort. It smooths lines and wrinkles, making you look refreshed and well-rested. Results typically last around four months.

Laser Lipo - A low-wave laser gently liquefi es fat without destroying healthy tissue, which is removed via a thin tube and gentle suction. The minimally invasive procedure usually requires less downtime than traditional liposuction.

Noninvasive Body Contouring – A variety of technologies contour and shape the body using various methods such as radiofrequency energy, ultrasound, and cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting). Some offer fat reduction and skin tightening, and others can even minimize cellulite.

Ultherapy – This noninvasive procedure uses ultrasound to stimulate collagen and elastin production to lift the neck, chin, and brow and help improve lines and wrinkles on the upper chest.

Chemical Peels - By removing old skin, new skin layers replace it, resulting in a brighter, clearer, smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. In general, the stronger the peel, the more dramatic the results and the longer the recovery period.

Brow Lamination - This noninvasive alternative to microblading uses a setting lotion to help the brows stay up (when brushed forward). Results last about six weeks.

Lip Blushing - This semi-permanent lip stain or cosmetic tattoo color corrects while enhancing lip shape and size. Tiny needles deliver small deposits of pigment layer by layer.

Lip Augmentation - Lip injectables use fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane or fat removed from your body to make your lips look fuller, defi ne your cupid’s bow, and smooth lip lines. Dermal fi ller lip augmentation takes 20 or 30 minutes, and there’s minimal downtime.

Non-surgical Nose Job - Nose shaping with hyaluronic acid-based injectable fi llers such as Juvéderm offers results that, while temporary, can smooth out small bumps, create nostril symmetry, and lift the tip of your nose or make it more prominent.

Laser Therapy Facial Treatment – A variety of laser technologies are used to lift and tighten the skin, smooth lines and wrinkles, address uneven or dull skin tone and hyperpigmentation, address large pores and acne scars, and more.

Liquid Facelift - This procedure uses injectable fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane to gently lift facial features by restoring volume. It also reduces wrinkles and folds and creates a more rested look. Depending on the fi llers used, results last anywhere from four to six months to a year or more.

We all lose and regrow hair throughout our lives (between 50 and 100 strands per day). But when more falls out than grows in, you’re experiencing hair loss, of which there are three different types. Anagen effluvium is caused by medications such as chemotherapy which poisons growing hair follicles. Telogen effluvium happens when an increased number of hair follicles reach the stage where they naturally fall out. Androgenetic alopecia/female pattern alopecia/female pattern hair loss (FPHL)/baldness, the most common, is when hair thins over the top of the head and on the sides.

It’s estimated that 40% of all hair-loss sufferers — including around 30 million US women — will experience noticeable hair loss, most often female-pattern hair loss (FPHL).

Female hair loss is most common in:

• Women over 40

HAIR LOSS Causes and Treatments

DID YOU KNOW?

Hair loss myths abound, including:

• Hats cause baldness

• Shaving your head makes it grow back twice as thick

• Hair loss is inherited from only the mother’s side

• Dandruff makes your hair fall out

• Standing on your head stimulates hair growth

• Washing hair in cold water helps prevent hair loss

None of these are true.

• Women who’ve just had babies

• Women who’ve undergone chemo or been affected by other harsh medications

• Women who wear tight ponytails, and tight braids, use harsh chemicals on their hair

• Menopausal women

Treatment depends on the hair loss cause. It can be due to stress or hormonal changes such as those that occur with pregnancy and should stop on its own over time. Similarly, hair loss due to tight braids, ponytails, or harsh chemical treatment can be rectified by stopping the practice. Hair loss due to nutritional defi ciencies can be treated with a healthy diet and supplementation. Rogaine helps with FPHL but must be used indefi nitely and avoided when you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

For a more permanent solution, there’s follicular unit extraction (FUE) such as

SmartGraft, which takes individual hair follicles from one area of your head and moves them to another area where hair is thinner or absent. Hair restoration professionals use “micropunches” to harvest single hair follicles and move them, leaving behind almost no signs of extraction and with little or no side effects. There’s also the Hairmax LaserComb and the Theradome LH80 PRO, both FDA-cleared, low-light lasers for treating FPHL. Other medications currently being studied include spironolactone and other anti-androgens, finasteride and other alpha-reductase enzyme inhibitors, estrogens, prostaglandin analogs, steroids, and additional light treatments.

In the meantime, ask your favorite stylist about tips and tricks such as a short, layered haircut that can make your hair loss less noticeable.