With all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, one of the most important aspects of any personal routine is self-care. As we age and our bodies change, our self-care routine does as well. For many, non-invasive cosmetic procedures become part of their regular routine. After all, with today’s technology, there are numerous cosmetic options that are painless, have little to no downtime, and show immediate results like skin tightening or Botox. The team at Hillelson-Whipple Clinic Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedics in Richmond, Virginia has assembled this guide to help you determine which type of procedure is the right fit for your skincare needs.
What is Skin Tightening?
When it comes to skin tightening, there are numerous different non-invasive options that we utilize here at Hillelson-Whipple Clinic Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedics. Our most common skin tightening procedures involve the use of a concentrated radio frequency. By utilizing this radio frequency, our team can target the deep dermis skin, causing collagen to tighten throughout the rest of the skin. Skin tightening procedures not only activate existing collagen but also boost the production of new collagen as well, providing lasting benefits after the procedure is completed. A few of our most popular skin tightening procedures include:
- Thermage: These treatments can be used to lift all areas of the face and neck. In this treatment, a concentrated radio frequency evenly warms the skin, reaching even the most difficult to reach places on the skin.
- Skin Tyte: In this procedure, quick pulses of infrared light are directed at the specific locations on the skin followed by a cooling element to help increase patient comfort.
- TriPollar: This system provides both short-term and long-term results. This technology utilizes the 3rd generation of radio frequencies to lift, smooth and sculpt the skin.
There are various benefits to skin-tightening procedures. The primary one is that they are non-invasive and require little to no downtime after the procedure. This type of skin procedure can also be used to target specific areas of the face that have sagging skin or lax tissue. It can be used to target everything from fine forehead lines to sagging jowls. Skin tightening can be used to decrease the appearance of both fine lines like crows feet as well as scars from acne or dry skin. It can be used for everything from targeted areas to full facial rejuvenation.
Skin tightening is recommended to help improve the elasticity of the skin. Patients who notice saggy, loose skin are the ideal candidates for skin tightening procedures. While there is no way to know for sure unless a patient receives a consultation, the ideal patient will be either a man or woman, in overall good health, who understands the treatment process and holds realistic expectations for their results.
What is Botox?
After years of repeated movements, it’s likely that your face has developed some fine lines and deep creases. Wrinkles are unsightly and can cause a person to appear much more angry and unhappy than intended. Botox, or Botulinum Toxin, is a muscle-paralyzing toxin that is designed to target dynamic wrinkles which result from repetitive movements such as facial expressions. Botox is injected directly into the skin in a non-invasive procedure.
Botox is not a filler but rather a muscle paralyzer. As the targeted muscles relax, fine lines will begin to reduce. Botox does not eliminate wrinkles and file lines altogether but will “freeze” them to help prevent them from worsening over time while relaxing the muscles to slowly ease the appearance of wrinkles. For best results, many patients utilize Botox with a filler. When used alongside a filler, botox can freeze the muscle to prevent the wrinkle from worsening while the filler fills the wrinkle to tighten skin.
Botox works best when it is utilized immediately at the early signs of aging. Men and women who are frustrated with the early signs of aging may find excellent results from treatment, but results can be seen in individuals of all ages. Potential candidates for a Botox Cosmetic Treatment should be in good health, understand the procedure, and have realistic expectations for the results. This treatment is safe for patients of any age and works well for all skin types and ethnicities.
While research is most certainly helpful, the only way to know exactly which procedure is best for your particular skin type and skincare needs is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hillelson. Our team of experts will work with you to create a customized plan for your skincare and rejuvenation needs. Contact the Hillelson-Whipple Clinic Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedics team by dialing 804-290-0060.