How many of us have looked in the magnifying mirror in the morning, seen our unadorned face with its wrinkles, lines and age spots, looking back, and (after that little inward scream) thought I would like to do something. For some of us, that may be a nip and tuck – going under the knife and under general anaesthetic. For others, there is a slew of less invasive and topical treatments, but with so much available, how do we choose between these cutting edge trends.
SoSensational has been talking to the experts for advice, and offers a rundown of some of the most popular and accessible treatments. Our one, huge piece of advice is don’t cut corners on any invasive or surgical procedure. Bodies such as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors, will help ensure that you have chosen a fully qualified practitioner.
According to leading cosmetic surgeon Dr Patrick Bowler some of the most popular treatments are Botox and fillers, “because they are very quick and effective treatments that refresh the appearance and relax expression lines without being obvious”. Another popular treatment is laser or IPL on the chest and hands to reduce or eliminate brown spots and discolorations.
Dr Bowler, medical director of Court House Clinics, co-founder and fellow of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors and author of The Nervous Girl’s Guide to Nip & Tuck, adds “Non-surgical treatments give immediate benefit lasting six months, with very few problems provided they are performed by experienced practitioners.”
Wendy Lewis, one of the UK’s foremost experts on cosmetic procedures and on where to go under the knife (and with whom), says: “Less is always more. I am a huge advocate of natural-looking results. The last thing you want is to look like a different person. You should be at least as circumspect about surgical procedures as you are about changing your hair.
Wendy, author of the 2007 book, “Plastic Makes Perfect”, advises: “In terms of specific treatments, the real blanket ‘wrong’ kind is doing too much, not allowing enough time to heal properly or taking undue risks.”
Generally, she recommends at least six weeks to heal after anything surgical, and says that first-time injection or laser clients who don’t know how they will heal, should err on the side of caution and give themselves extra time if they are having the procedure for a special event or occasion.
WHAT’S OUT THERE
LIPOSUCTION
What for: If a gruelling gym routine isn’t taking off those last few pounds and your clothes still don’t look as good as they should, Wendy Lewis says that liposuction is an option for taking off deposits of fat in areas like back, thighs, hips, stomach and chin.
How it works: A narrow tube, inserted through a tiny incision, is used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The procedure takes from one- to one-and-a-half hours to complete and many patients go home on the day of the surgery though some remain in the clinic or hospital for up to two days. There can be bruising and swelling for up to four weeks, depending on the quantity of fat removed and the healing rate of an individual patient.
BREAST AUGMENTATION AND REDUCTION
What for: increasing or reducing breast size
How it works: This is a major cosmetic surgical procedure with the potential for scarring. It is essential to allow sufficient time for healing, and to choose a reputable and established surgeon who is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors. Breast augmentation, generally known as “a boob job”, is done using implants – shells made of silicone and filled with saline or a soft, silicone gel. Surgery normally takes around 90 minutes, and usually requires an overnight stay at the clinic. Breast reduction surgery, designed to give you smaller, firmer breasts, is performed under general anaesthetic in an hour operation that takes up to three hours. Those undergoing surgery usually spend one or two nights in hospital but this depends on the extent of the procedure. Cosmetic surgery clinics also offer surgery to remove or replace implants and procedures known as a capsulectomy, where some of the older implants lead to discomfort or lumpiness.
PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL
What for: Electrolysis, Laser and IPL (Intense Pulse Light) are all methods of permanent or almost permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is the only permanent hair-removal system. Laser and IPL will provide a much longer, hair-free period than waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams or other methods of hair removal.
How it works: electrolysis works by cauterizing the hair follicle, preventing further growth. It is only appropriate for very small problem areas, such as specific areas of face. There are three types: galvanic, diathermy and blend. Galvanic, the original method, uses a galvanic current which causes the salt and water in the hair follicle to be chemically altered, producing a substance with destroys the follicle. Diathermy produces heat using a high-frequency short-wave current, and is a more recent technique. The third method, which combines the heat and chemical reaction, means it is less uncomfortable than diathermy alone. It takes slightly longer but is equally effective.
There are three phases of hair growth – active, regressive and resting. Laser treatment works by exploiting the “active growth” stage, by “disabling” hairs in that phase. Hair is always in different growth cycles, which is why all hair cannot be “disabled” in one or two treatments. But over several treatments – usually four to six – a majority of women will see an 70 to 90 percent reduction in the number of hairs, and hair which does grow is usually much finer and lighter in colour.
With IPL, full spectrum light and low-range infrared radiation are filtered to allow a specified range of wavelengths to be delivered into the skin. The light targets the dark the pigment in hair to damage the hair follicle to prevent regrowth. IPL is considered safe if performed properly and is helpful for large areas, such as legs or arms. Some people experience long-lasting hair removal, or permanent reduction. In general, light-skinned women with dark hair get the best results.
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