Best Nonsurgical Options

overview

Some nonsurgical enhancements can be alternatives to cosmetic surgery when it’s too soon for an operation, between operations or else the “icing on the cake” after surgery is completed. However they are no substitute for the longer lasting effects of surgery.

For skin smoothing, superficial scars and wrinkles, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and micro-needling are options.

Botox and HA (hyaluronic acid) filler injections are popular but best used sparingly and under the correct circumstances if they are to appear natural. The effects of Botox and HA are temporary.

Other nonsurgical options can be permanent and normally do not need to be repeated, such as sclerotherapy for varicose and other unsightly veins.

WATchpoints

• As with surgery, care must be exercised when considering nonsurgical treatments. Unsafe practice can be life-changing, or even fatal, especially with permanent or unapproved fillers.
• While nonsurgical treatments are valid in their own right, their results are not normally comparable to surgical procedures. They won’t be taking the place of surgery anytime soon.
• If Botox is injected in the wrong place you can end up with things like droopy eyes, a crooked smile or stiff face for several weeks, so take care with your choice of practitioner.
• Overdoing fillers when a facelift is indicated results in the unsightly “pillow face” as seen on certain celebrities, who often end up having a facelift anyway.
• Some expensive nonsurgical treatments do not produce any results at all, so beware of those.
• Treatments that need to be repeated regularly can eventually end up costing the same or more than having surgery in the first place.