As you age, you may think about different services or treatments to keep yourself feeling healthy and younger. In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, you may want to consider beauty treatments or procedures to help combat the aging process, and for a more youthful appearance.
Beauty treatments are anything from permanent make-up, to injections or laser procedures. It’s a major decision that you want to be confident is healthy and safe for you. There are less invasive and beneficial beauty treatments that you may want to consider, like the ones listed below:
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Thermage
In the past, body contouring was a successful but risky surgical procedure that left patients with lengthy downtime and possible scarring. Thermage is a non-invasive laser treatment to treat uneven and aging skin by stimulating collagen growth through radio-frequency energy. This procedure is often considered for a sagging jawline, loose skin around the abdomen and tightening around the eyes and face.
This procedure is not for someone with heavy wrinkles or poor skin laxity. The pros of this treatment are that it only takes one office visit, and you begin to see immediate improvements. Minimal to no downtime is necessary with treatment from a well-trained specialist.
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Laser liposuction
A liposuction is a form of body contouring used to remove unwanted fat in someone with a stable weight, but it isn’t designed to treat obesity. If your lifestyle includes an unhealthy diet and little to no exercise, this procedure isn’t for you as remaining fat cells will continue to grow. It doesn’t cure stretch marks or remove cellulite. It targets common “love handle” areas, such as the buttocks, hips, back and inner thighs. Yet, laser liposuction broadens the possibilities.
Most consider liposuction to be an invasive procedure, where suction of fat occurs under the skin. However, laser liposuction (SmartLipo) is a non-invasive procedure that requires only local anesthesia. It liquefies the fat to be removed later by smaller liposuction cannulas. It also targets the abdomen and smaller areas around the breasts, knees, chin and other sensitive areas. For many patients, laser liposuction may be a safer and longer-lasting option.
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Laser-assisted hair removal
Laser-assisted hair removal isn’t permanent, but there are various types that last several months or over a year. The laser focuses on the shoulders, arms, back, and legs typically. However, the upper lip, chin, and bikini area are also treated.
Know that certain lasers are better for certain individuals than others and carry risks. For example, ruby lasers shouldn’t be used on patients with light-colored hair. Melanin-targeting lasers, like the ruby, are effective on light-skinned individuals with dark hair, and the effects may last up to two years.
Some blistering or hyperpigmentation may occur as a risk after treatment. The shoulders and chest are particularly vulnerable to keloid development and scarring.
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Laser treatment of broken capillaries
Broken capillaries occur where your skin is sensitive and thin around the eyes, the cheeks, and the nose. Strong wind, hot weather, sunburn, trauma or pressure to the face may also cause broken capillaries.
Pulsed dye lasers (V-beam lasers) are the most commonly used treatment for broken capillaries. This type of laser may also treat spider veins, acne scars, and birthmarks.
The bursts of energy are compared to a rubber band snapping, and the laser cools the outer layer of skin while focusing on damaged capillaries beneath the skin. The length of treatment varies but are 30 minutes or less for smaller networks. One or more treatments may be required.
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Intense pulsed light treatment (IPL)
IPL is used to repair skin damaged by the sun and treat red discoloration and age spots. Face, neck, hands, and arms are the focus areas of the treatment.
IPL is conducted in six treatments, with “touch-ups” every few months. Each session is done about two to three weeks apart. No sedation or anesthesia is required, and the whole procedure is 20-30 minutes long on average.
After treatment, patients notice a pink tinge to their skin, but the normal color often returns the same day. This treatment is not the best for broken capillaries but is utilized. Rosacea sufferers are treated with success, but those who flush as a result of emotional triggers, exercise or alcohol consumption will not see promising results.
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Botox injections
Botox is used most commonly to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it also treats repetitive neck muscle spasms, overactive bladder, lazy eye, severe migraines, excessive sweating, and other health concerns. Botox comes from the drug its produced from the botulinum toxin, and other products also use it: Xeomin, Dysport, and Myobloc.
Most patients are treated for crow’s feet around the eyes, frown lines around the mouth and lines on the forehead. Ice, topical anesthesia and vibration anesthesia are common choices for numbing. The number of injections depends on the areas being treated. However, normal activity may be resumed on the same day. Don’t massage the injections sites, as the botulinum toxin may move to other sites beneath the skin.
Some choose piercings and tattoos to accentuate their inner beauty. Sometimes, laser hair removal and treatment for broken capillaries and wrinkles are required for health concerns and to make you feel more at home in your body.
Fortunately, science and medicine have produced innovative solutions through procedures that are non-invasive. Such procedures are best for people who need to return to work or cannot afford the risks or interruptions of invasive procedures. There are safe and healthy beauty modifications for different lifestyles.
Kacey Bradley Mya – is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter Collective.” Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. The Drifter Collective: An eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us.
