Exposure to the elements, old age, and certain genetic factors can result in a number of skin imperfections. If your skin has started sagging and losing its elasticity, you may be an ideal candidate for a lunchtime treatment.
These non-surgical skin-rejuvenation treatments are so quick and convenient that they can be performed during your lunch break. In most cases, patients are able to return to work right after. Let’s take a look at some lunchtime treatments that are creating ripples in the cosmetic surgery industry.
Botox
Botox is arguably the most popular lunchtime treatment. Some estimates suggest that almost six million people opt for Botox treatment every year. Cosmetic surgeons use Botox on crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines. Botox is a neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium found in various natural settings.
Botox is administered in small concentrations through injections. It works by preventing the muscle cells from contracting, helping the wrinkles in the overlying skin relax and soften. The effects from a single session last anywhere from three to four months, after which the patient must return for another treatment session.
Xeomin
Xeomin has been around for quite some time. However, it has only recently started getting recognition as an alternative to Botox. Xeomin is a form of botulism toxin that is known to block muscle movement in areas prone to wrinkles.
Experts consider Xeomin to be a purer form of Botox. Xeomin undergoes an extra step of purification and does not contain any complex proteins. Patients who become immune to Botox are considered ideal candidates for Xeomin treatments.
Patients opting for Xeomin can expect to start experiencing results within 10 days from their treatment, which is quicker than many other alternatives. Typically, the effects from a single session last between three and four months.
Medical professionals performing this procedure advise their patients against scratching the treatment areas after the session. It is also recommended that patients minimize exposure to heat.
Fillers
One of the easiest ways to add volume to the cheeks, lips, temples, and other areas of the face is to inject a filler. There are many fillers to choose from. Voluma, Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane are all hyaluronic-acid-based volumizers. Radiesse is a calcium-based filler.There is a less commonly used filler named Sculptra, and it is composed of a more complex molecule.
All of the fillers have different uses and can be categorized by their molecular composition and by their “G-value,” which describes their thickness and viscosity.
Fillers can add volume to the lips, restore high cheekbones, bring the chin forward a conservative amount, and sometimes make deeper lines and wrinkles less pronounced.
They are common administered in the office, either with a local dental block or with a topical numbing cream and ice packs. Under certain circumstances, Dr. Morwood’s office can offer you a PRO-NOX device, which delivers nitrous oxide and oxygen to you as you breathe while your filler is being injected.
General Mini Chemical Peels
Medical professionals performing this treatment apply toxic chemicals to the patient’s skin in a controlled manner. These chemicals cause controlled tissue death for the targeted damaged skin cells. The desired depth depends on the condition of the skin. Once the peel is removed, the skin starts regenerating.
The idea behind the treatment is removal of layers of dead skin, revealing the fresh layer beneath. Depending on the depth of damage that they cause, chemical peels are classified into three types: superficial peels, medium peels, and deep peels.
Micro Fat Grafting
Micro fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to add volume to areas such as the face, undereye areas, cheeks, lips, and backs of the hands. Fat is harvested from other parts of the body and transferred to these areas to create new volume. Because the fat cells are from the patient’s own body, the risk of allergic reactions is almost zero. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
General Light-Based Skin Treatments
Medical professionals performing general light-based skin treatments use different frequencies of lights to treat skin imperfections. Some categories of light used in these treatments are ultraviolet, infrared, and Intense Pulsed Light.
Come In for a Lunchtime Treatment
Dr. Morwood has over 20 years’ experience as a plastic surgeon, he is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, he is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and for years he has served as either the chief or vice chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery of Monterey.
For more information about Dr. Morwood or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us here.
