Low down time high impact procedures for the New Year
When some people hear the words “plastic surgery” they may conjure images of heavily wrapped faces being wheeled out of surgery, and weeks of recovery hiding away in your house. The days of those types of surgeries are long gone–patients these days have little “patience” for recovery that limits them for this length of time. Low down time procedures are far more popular, and the myriad of options available can be a little overwhelming.
We’ll start with the quickest recoveries first: mild facial peels performed in a spa setting can refresh and brighten the skin with very little redness or discomfort. Maximizing skincare before and after will improve the results, of course. Medium or deeper peels can be performed for scarring, dark spots or the desire for more tightening, but for a quick refresh, a light peel will do the trick!
In-office procedures such as Botox© and facial fillers can carry a little downtime due to potential bruising. Bruising and swelling are not guaranteed, but it’s always better to be prepared for a small bruise to be covered up rather than taken by surprise.
Those pesky lines around the eyes and between the brows are easy targets for Botox©. It takes at least a week to start to see results, but with a little planning, you can be bright-eyed within a few days. Botox© is FDA-approved for treatment in the forehead, between the eyes, and around the crow’s feet, but we can use it in many different areas to elevate the corners of a saggy mouth, treat lines around the lips and even in a dimply chin!
Facial fillers are most commonly comprised of something called hyaluronic acid-it’s a compound found in our cells, so it’s well tolerated by virtually everyone. Fillers are incredibly versatile and most certainly rank high on the list as a low down-time option with very high impact. They can be used to add volume to the cheeks, soften lines around the mouth, bring a little more attention to the upper and lower lips, or improve hollowing under the eyes. The options are virtually endless with fillers as different ones are formulated to be placed close to the skin or deeper depending on the effect desired. With a skilled and talented surgeon, fillers can make significant impact with immediate results by the time you leave the office!
Finally, if you have a little longer and are ok with a little more downtime, an upper lid lift can make a phenomenal impact. The skin at the upper lids can hang and become loose over time, making your eyes look more tired than you feel. An upper eyelid lift can even be performed under local anesthetic in the office. The eyelids are marked carefully to determine how much extra skin can be removed. A little local anesthetic is injected and about an hour later, you are looking at lifted eyes! The procedure does require sutures to be removed in a few days, and around 10 days, you can wear makeup over the incisions. Most people give it a week before returning to work and are thoroughly pleased with their results.
Suffice it to say that given almost any amount of time, there is something we can do to make you feel more refreshed! It’s helpful to your surgeon if you think critically about what features you find most beautiful, so we can help bring out your very best. Ultimately, what we all want is a happy patient! We of course, are there to guide and advise on how to what will work best for you, but it’s good to have an idea of what your goals are before you start down the road. Best wishes and happy new you!
