Whether we like to think about it or not, we are part of an image-obsessed culture. For many, pursuit of beauty is of the utmost concern, and it is to those individuals that cosmetic procedures are primarily marketed. There are hundreds of surgical and non-surgical procedures that are touted as beauty fixes, and millions of people who subscribe to them. Here, we’ll look at four of the most common cosmetic procedures available to those who want to really improve their appearances.
Chemical Peels
In a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin and allowed to soak in. The skin peels off over the course of the next one to 14 days, destroying damaged skin and allowing new skin to grow in its place. There are a few types of chemical peels that are based on the depth of chemical penetration and the types of chemicals used. Superficial chemical peels, the mildest type, can be used on all skin types and use a liquid containing mild glycolic acid or dry ice. Medium chemical peels penetrate the skin more deeply and cause a second degree burn of the skin. Deep chemical peels penetrate several layers and also cause a second degree burn of the skin. These chemical peels cannot be used on darker skin types as they can cause bleaching of the skin.
Microdermabrasion
This is essentially the sanding of the skin with a special instrument, allowing the growth of a new, smoother layer of skin. It uses tiny, exfoliating crystals to remove dull skin, brown spots, and age spots for all skin types and colors.
Botox
Botulinum toxin A (Botox) is the purified toxin of the bacteria that causes botulism. This very effective anti-wrinkle treatment as it effectively relaxes the uptight muscles that cause crow’s feet, frown lines, and facial wrinkles. The benefits of Botox include its convenience, as it takes only 10 to 15 minutes to inject and requires no recovery time.
Laser Hair Removal
This is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and is more about convenience than appearance. Laser hair removal beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles, destroying hairs so that patients no longer need to shave, tweeze, or wax to remove unwanted hair. The lasers target dark, coarse hairs, leaving the surrounding skin undamaged, and can treat even large areas in only an hour. After three to five sessions, 90% of patients have permanent hair loss.
These procedures are incredibly common because of their strong results and accessibility. It’s always best to check with a doctor before pursuing such courses of action, but most patients are well suited to these types of beauty treatments. All that stands between you and your ideal appearance is a conversation with your doctor, so make a call. You’ll be glad you did when you see a younger-looking you smiling back in the mirror. More like this article.