Understanding Today’s Trends in Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Surgery

August 14 2015

The concern for young-looking, flawless skin is no new trend. However, the way people are achieving beautiful skin is changing. In 2014, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures increased at a higher rate than both cosmetic surgical procedures and reconstructive procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Minimally invasive procedures such as BOTOX and glycolic peels are known as quick fixes for wrinkles and other aging signs and require little to no incisions, delivering beautiful results and shorter recovery times. Here, the Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists take a look at the most popular minimally invasive procedures in detail.

1.   Botox Injections

Botox remains at the top of all non-surgical procedures, with 6.7 million procedures performed in 2014, the most in a single year. Botox is used to smoothen facial wrinkles by temporarily relaxing underlying muscles. This facial rejuvenation procedure is a popular choice to reduce wrinkles around the eyes, furrowed brows, and “laugh lines” around the mouth. As an added benefit, Botox can be performed quickly; many of our patients come in during their lunch break for the procedure and see results in as little as a few days.

2.   Soft Tissue Fillers

Treatments using soft tissue fillers, also known as dermal fillers, rose 3 percent last year, totaling 2.3 million procedures performed. Dermal filler injections restore volume and fullness to areas of the face that lack volume. At Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists, we offer several dermal filler treatments, including Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane. Many of our patients seek dermal filler injections to fill in the mid-cheek areas and underneath the eyes. Other patients seek the injections to smooth out facial wrinkles or enhance the lips.

3.   Glycolic Peel

Glycolic peels, also known as chemical peels, have surged in popularity, rising 7 percent in 2014. This facial rejuvenation treatment uses an acidic solution to remove the top layer of damaged skin to reveal healthy, new skin. Glycolic peels have become an increasingly popular choice to treat acne scarring, accidental scarring or scars from previous surgeries.

4.   Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a safe alternative to traditional hair removal techniques that are often thought of as tedious, such as shaving and waxing. During laser hair removal, an intense, pulsating laser is used to damage hair follicles, inhibiting future hair growth. After several treatments, many patients see permanent results. More than 1 million procedures were performed last year, a 3 percent increase from the year before.

5.   Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is one of the most effective and common techniques used to treat fine lines and restore the skin’s natural glow. The procedure smoothens skin by stripping away damaged surface skin through surgical scraping or sanding of the skin. Like glycolic peels, microdermabrasion can treat facial acne scarring, accidental scarring or scarring from previous surgeries. Over 800,000 microdermabrasion procedures were performed last year.

Contact Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists

To learn more about how our plastic surgery specialists can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, schedule a complimentary consultation by calling (404) 255-2975.

Categories: Blog, Non-Invasive