Cosmetic Skin Procedures

Overview

What Is It?
Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments ranging from injections and microdermabrasion to laser and hair removal treatments can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, facial lines, unwanted hair, broken blood vessels, large pores and acne scars.

Today women can reduce, prevent or even erase the signs of aging without resorting to surgery. Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments, also known as cosmetic skin procedures, can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, facial lines, unwanted hair, broken blood vessels, large pores and acne scars.

Women—and men—are embracing these procedures, which range from injections and microdermabrasion to laser and hair removal treatments. Plastic surgeons perform an estimated 8.5 million minimally invasive aesthetic treatments annually, while dermatologists, otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and other medical specialists perform millions more.

The increased acceptance of aesthetic cosmetic procedures—both surgical and nonsurgical—is partially due to the decreased stigma attached to them. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nonsurgical procedures make up nearly two-thirds of aesthetic treatments performed by plastic surgeons today.

Despite the growing popularity of these procedures, it is important for consumers to do their homework. Even something as simple as a chemical peel carries potential risks, particularly when performed by someone who is not properly trained in the procedure.

The most important things to remember about nonsurgical aesthetic treatments are:

• You will likely have to bear the entire cost; insurance rarely covers cosmetic treatments.
• Few treatments are permanent. Most will need to be repeated within a few months or a few years.
• Just because a health care provider offers a treatment doesn't mean that person is qualified to perform the treatment. Ask for references, talk to patients and confirm certifications.
• Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are the most qualified professionals available to provide most nonsurgical aesthetic treatments.

Diagnosis

Unlike a health problem or medical condition, nonsurgical aesthetic treatments are entirely optional. You don't have to fill in those wrinkles, erase those broken blood vessels or minimize that redness. You do it because you want to.

It is important, however, that you have realistic expectations about the treatment you choose. Ask your aesthetic specialty physician to show you before and after photos of treatments he or she has performed. Also ask how long the effects will last, what the estimated cost will be and how many treatments you may require if undergoing a treatment that requires several sessions, such as laser treatments.

Treatment

The first step is determining the right treatment for your aesthetic concern. You have numerous options. The most commonly performed treatments follow.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox Cosmetic)

OnabotulinumtoxinA, often referred to by the brand name, Botox, is a purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It reduces muscle activity by blocking the nerve impulses that cause the squinting or frowning muscles to contract. OnabotulinumtoxinA is approved for the temporary treatment of frown lines and brow furrows.

Only licensed health care professionals can purchase onabotulinumtoxinA. Plastic surgeons or dermatologists routinely administer onabotulinumtoxinA , although any physician with special training in facial anatomy may perform the injections. Some states also allow nonphysicians such as registered nurses or physician assistants to administer the drug if they are directly supervised by a physician. Regardless of who administers your injection, always ask to see the vial and look for the manufacturer's safety hologram to ensure you are treated with authentic product.

It only takes a few minutes to be treated with onabotulinumtoxinA, and the effects last up to four months. Botox Cosmetic costs an average of $350 to $500 per area of treatment, and costs vary across the country based on a number of factors. Some aesthetic specialty physicians charge by the unit of product. This allows them to charge more or less depending upon the specific patient's need. Be sure to ask your physician the estimated total cost of your treatment.

Potential risks include allergic reaction, headache, bruising (if injections occur while taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or if you've had alcohol within the previous week), redness and numbness at the injection site. There is a slight risk of paralysis of nerves adjacent to the injection site. If you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition, make sure you discuss the possible risks with your physician. OnabotulinumtoxinA is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

Dermal Fillers

These injectable products fill fine lines and plump up wrinkles to provide a natural and smooth look. They are among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgery, hyaluronic acid dermal filler procedures—one category of soft tissue fillers—are the second most popular aesthetic injectable treatment behind onabotulinumtoxinA.

Dermal fillers work differently than onabotulinumtoxinA. Fillers are injected directly into wrinkles and lines, instantly adding volume. There are many dermal fillers to choose from, so make sure to ask your aesthetic specialty physician which type of filler will help you achieve your desired results. Certain dermal fillers may work better in different people and for different areas, so you may need to try more than one before finding the best product for you. Physicians may use multiple products, depending on your needs, to obtain your desired result. You pay by the syringe, and several syringes may be required, so ask your physician for an estimated total cost before beginning your treatment. Costs vary based on geographic region and type of filler, but the average cost for treatment with injectable fillers is $1,000.

FDA-approved dermal fillers include:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers (Elevess, Hylaform, Juvéderm, Voluma, Perlane, Restylane and others). Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found throughout all living animals. It absorbs more than 1,000 times its weight in water, thus adding volume to the skin's surface. With age, however, hyaluronic acid concentrations drop, causing wrinkles and folds. These fillers are used to temporarily replace lost hyaluronic acid and restore skin volume.
  
  Hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections typically take less than 30 minutes to perform. Hyaluronic acid injections last between three and five months, depending on your body chemistry, lifestyle and the rate at which you are aging. Most people receive new injections two to three times a year.
• Collagen fillers (CosmoPlast, CosmoDerm, Zyderm, Zyplast and others). Collagen is a protein substance found in all human and animal tissue. It makes your skin, bones and ligaments tough while providing structure. Collagen is often used for filling wrinkles and lines and scars on your face, neck and back. Zyderm and Zyplast cosmetic injections use collagen from cattle, called "bovine collagen." CosmoPlast and CosmoDerm injections use highly purified human collagen, a natural protein that supports the skin and helps replenish collagen lost with time, exposure to sunlight and other factors. Other collagens used in cosmetic procedures include collagen from human cadaver skin that has been sterilized, purified and processed into a liquid form. Brand names of this form include Cymetra, Dermalogen and Fascian. These fillers are rarely used anymore.
  
  Collagen injections typically take less than an hour, and for best results, should be repeated every one to two months. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are best suited for providing collagen injections. Rare side effects include the formation of small, temporary bumps beneath the skin, infection and scarring.
• Fat fillers. Your aesthetic specialty physician may suggest afat filler, in which fat is removed from another part of your body and injected into the wrinkle/line. Since the fat is of your own body, the risk of complications is very low.
• Synthetic fillers (polymethyl methacrylate, hydoxylapatite and polylactic acid). Synthetic fillers are used for filling facial wrinkles and folds. It takes less than an hour for synthetic filler injections, and the results can last anywhere from six months to five or more years, depending on the filler product. Synthetic fillers should be administered by plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Synthetic fillers differ depending on the brand:
  • Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) contains 20 percent PMMA beads suspended in 80 percent collagen. A few months after injection, the collagen breaks down, sparking your body to produce its own natural collagen to fill in the space. Unlike other fillers, it is not absorbed by the body. Brand names include Articol, Artefill and Metacrill.
  • Hydroxylapatite is an injectable gel. Calcium hydroxylapatite is a substance found in teeth and bones and is used for numerous medical applications including cheek, jaw, skull and chin implants. Brand names of the injectable form include Radiesse and Radiance.
  • Polylactic acid is a compound used in numerous medical products, such as stitches and screws used to repair broken bones. Although Polylactic acid has only been approved to restore shape and contour to the faces of those with AIDS, it is often used "off label" for cosmetic treatments. Polylactic acid treatments do not produce immediate results because they stimulate college production, so it may take up to a few months the full effect. Although polylactic acid is considered semipermanent, you may need an occasional touch-up treatment. Brand names include Sculptra and New-Fill.

Skin Resurfacing

These techniques are designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, get rid of brown spots, reduce sun damage and shrink pores. The level of intensity varies from mild chemical peels to laser resurfacing and laser pulses, and after-effects range from mild redness to peeling and scabbing. Skin may also be very sensitive to sunlight and unable to tan.

• Chemical peels. A chemical solution is "painted" onto your face to literally "peel away" damaged top layers of skin. Solutions range from mild alpha hydroxy acids to stronger acids like trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol. It takes from 15 minutes to two hours for a chemical peel, depending on the strength of the peel.
  
  Chemical peels cost an average of $764; specific cost depends on the strength. Aestheticians may perform mild peels. Plastic surgeons or dermatologists are your best bet for stronger peels.
• Microdermabrasion. A more superficial form of dermabrasion (described below), microdermabrasion uses crystals or a diamond tip to lightly smooth the top layer of your skin. It is used for fine lines, crow's feet, age spots and superficial acne scars. Microdermabrasion takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthesia. For best results, many people start with a microdermabrasion treatment every two weeks and then move to one per month as maintenance. Each session costs about $154.
  
  Microdermabrasion may be performed by aestheticians, licensed cosmetologists, plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Complications are rare.
• Laser skin resurfacing. In laser resurfacing, or laser peel, the doctor uses a laser beam of light to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin. New cells form as the skin heals, creating a smoother, tighter, younger-looking appearance. Laser resurfacing is used for minimizing the appearance of fine lines, uneven pigmentation and facial scars. It works best for light-skinned women. The treatment takes between 30 minutes to two hours and is typically performed under local or general anesthesia. Each treatment costs an average of $1,113 to $2,222 and the results last a year or more. Laser skin resurfacing is best performed by a qualified laser specialist, usually a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Possible complications include burns, scarring, obvious lightening or darkening of the skin. It may also activate herpes virus or other infections.
• Plasma skin rejuvenation (Portrait). This nonablative procedure improves skin texture and reduces wrinkles and irregular skin coloring by delivering millisecond pulses of nitrogen plasma energy to the skin. The procedure takes about 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the extent of the work. Discomfort may be managed with pretreatment application of topical anesthesia. The skin is red for about six days on average. The optimal results may require one to three procedures, depending on the energy and settings used. There is usually marked improvement in wrinkles without creating a wound. Improvements are noted after a month and continue to improve with subsequent treatments. The average cost is about $1,800.
• Fractional photothermolysis or fractional resurfacing. This technology removes a small fraction of the surface of the skin during each treatment to resurface the skin. This procedure is similar to a resurfacing laser, but with much less down time. The micro-injury causes the collagen to remodel. This procedure is used for large pores, pigment abnormalities and acne scars. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, and you may require three to five treatments for the best results. The cost is between $750 and $2,500 per treatment.
• Noninvasive skin tightening. Noninvasive skin tightening uses radiofrequency technology or pulsed light to treat wrinkles and sagging skin. Unlike laser treatments, this technology can be used on all skin types, on patients of nearly any age and on almost any body part where skin tightness is a concern. Brand names include Thermage, Accent (both radiofrequency) and Titan (pulsed light). Prices vary and range between $400 and $800 per visit.

Hair Removal

Treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal can keep you smooth longer than razors, tweezers or waxing. The two most common treatments are electrolysis, in which an electric current is used to permanently destroy the hair follicle, and laser treatments, which use a laser to destroy the follicle. Both are eventually permanent after years of repeated treatments. Laser hair removal only works on dark brown or black hair. White or blond hair will not respond to the laser. Red hair may have limited response to the laser treatment.

Electrolysis may be performed by an electrologist. Each session takes between 15 minutes and an hour, and the cost varies widely depending on the area from which the hair is to be removed. Risks include permanent holes where the needle penetrates the skin.

Laser hair removal takes from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the areas to be treated, and multiple sessions—usually four to six—are required. Then the patient will most likely need a maintenance treatment two to three times a year. Cost varies depending on the area being treated. Laser hair removal is best performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Possible complications of both include pain, scarring and pigmentation changes.

Pain Relief During Cosmetic Treatments

Because many nonsurgical aesthetic treatments can be uncomfortable, topical anesthetics are often used to numb the face. However, using them in high amounts, even if purchased over the counter, can lead to serious health problems, including irregular heartbeat, seizures, coma and even death. The FDA recommends you:

• Use a topical anesthetic containing the lowest dose of anesthetic drug to relieve your pain.
• Make sure you get specific instructions from your doctor on the proper and safe use of the anesthetic.
• Understand that wrapping or covering the skin after applying the anesthetic can increase the risk of side effects.
• Use a topical anesthetic approved by the FDA (go to https://www.fda.gov/cder/ob/default.htm and type in the product's active ingredient).

Prevention

Aging, sunlight, smoking and dryness all contribute to the wrinkles, brown spots, large pores, redness and other imperfections women try to correct with nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. For instance, as you age, the top layer of skin doesn't turn over as often, leaving dead skin cells on the surface longer and giving your features a dull appearance and texture. This is also when the sun damage of your youth comes back to haunt you. That sun created free radicals that broke down the collagen in your skin, as well as the elastin fibers that keep skin flexible. If you've spent a lot of time in the sun, your skin may even have a leathery appearance.

Preventing skin damage boils down to:

• Protecting yourself against the damaging effects of the sun by wearing sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Put it on just like you put on moisturizer every morning (many moisturizers contain sunscreen), even if it's cloudy outside. Just sitting near a window or riding in a car exposes your skin to the sun's rays.
• Quitting smoking and staying away from second-hand smoke.
• Taking care of your skin. That means washing it with gentle cleaners and using moisturizer in the morning and at night.

Facts to Know

1. Today, plastic surgeons perform an estimated 8.5 million minimally invasive cosmetic treatments annually, while dermatologists, otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and other medical specialists perform millions more.
2. Nonsurgical procedures make up nearly two-thirds of aesthetic treatments performed by plastic surgeons today, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
3. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2012, Americans spent $2 billion on injectable procedures; $1.8 billion on skin rejuvenation procedures; and over $483 million on other nonsurgical procedures, including laser hair removal.
4. Even something as simple as a chemical peel carries potential risks, particularly when performed by someone not properly trained in the treatment.
5. Insurance rarely, if ever, covers the cost of cosmetic treatments.
6. Few treatments are permanent. Most will need to be repeated within a few months or a few years.
7. Just because a health care provider offers a treatment doesn't mean that person is qualified to perform the treatment. Ask for references, talk to patients and confirm certifications. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are the most qualified professionals available to provide most nonsurgical aesthetic treatments.
8. It is very important that you have realistic expectations about the treatment you choose. Ask your doctor to show you before and after photos of patients he or she has treated. Also ask how long the effects will last and how many treatments you may require and how many vials or syringes may be required for some procedures.
9. Dermal fillers are injectable products that fill fine lines and plump up wrinkles to provide a smoother, younger look. They are among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. The fillers are injected directly into wrinkles and lines. You pay by the syringe, and several syringes may be required, so ask your doctor for an estimated total cost before beginning your treatment.
10. Skin resurfacing techniques are designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, get rid of brown spots, reduce sun damage and shrink pores. The level of intensity varies from mild chemical peels to laser resurfacing and laser pulses, and after-effects range from mild redness to peeling and scabbing.

Questions to Ask

Before making an appointment for a nonsurgical aesthetic treatment, ask your health care professional the following questions to make sure he or she is qualified to perform the treatment and that you feel comfortable with him or her. Some of the following questions may be best answered before you meet with the physician and may be found on the physician's website or resume. Ask the office if either is available for you to review.

Other questions below are best asked in person, after you've done your homework about the physician, his or her team and their credentials.

1. Are you board certified? In which area?
2. How many of these treatments do you perform a year?
3. Where and when were you trained?
4. Are you certified to perform this treatment in a hospital or outpatient setting?
5. What is your complication rate?
6. Will you personally treat me? If not, what are the qualifications of the person who will?
7. What treatment/product do you recommend? Why? What are the pros and cons of the other options?
8. How much does the treatment cost? How many treatments will I need?
9. Is the product/treatment FDA-approved specifically for cosmetic purposes?
10. What should I do to prepare for the procedure? Is there any activity I should avoid after the treatment?
11. Are there any medications I should avoid before my treatment?
12. Will I need an anesthetic? What type? Who will provide it?
13. What will you give me for pain?
14. What do I need to do after the treatment? Can I wash my face? Use creams or ointments? Wear makeup? Go into the sun? Exercise?
15. What can I expect after my treatment? How long before any irritation goes away, if any occurs?
16. What are the potential benefits and risks of this treatment?
17. How long will the results last?
18. Do you offer follow-up appointments to discuss treatment outcomes?
19. What results can I expect from this treatment?

Key Q&A

Organizations and Support

For information and support on Cosmetic Skin Procedures, please see the recommended organizations and Spanish-language resources listed below.

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Website: https://www.aafprs.org
Address: 310 S. Henry St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-299-9291
Email: info@aafprs.org

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Website: https://www.surgery.org
Address: Central Office
11081 Winners Circle
Los Alamitos, CA 90720-2813
Hotline: 1-888-ASAPS-11 (1-888-272-7711)
Email: asaps@surgery.org

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Website: https://www.asds.net
Address: 5550 Meadowbrook Dr., Suite 120
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Phone: 847-956-0900

American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Website: https://www.plasticsurgery.org
Address: 444 East Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: 847-228-9900

Spanish-language resources

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Website: https://www.isaps.org/es/
Address: ISAPS Executive Office
45 Lyme Road, Suite 304
Hanover, NH 03755
Phone: 603-643-2325
Email: isaps@conmx.net

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Website: https://www.surgery.org/consumers/consumer-resources/informacion-en-espanol/articulos-de-interes
Hotline: 1-888-272-7711
Email: findasurgeon@surgery.org