In the surgical sector, procedures such as breast augmentations or lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction, and nose reshaping continue to dominate. Non-surgical procedures, meanwhile, make up around 63% of the current market share. The following treatments are currently trending among those who wish to turn back the hands of time without going under the knife. Cryolipolysis or Fat Freezing When it comes to fat freezing or cryolipolysis, the FDA-approved CoolSculpting is leading the field, with a presence in over 80 countries so far. This treatment is said to deliver similar results to liposuction and is mainly used to target stubborn fat in areas like the tummy, hips, thighs, upper arms, and double chin. It involves placing a suctioning applicator over targeted areas during a “lunchtime” procedure (in other words, clients can immediately return to work or leisure activities afterwards). These applicators ‘freeze’ fat cells, which are eliminated over the next few weeks through the urine. Facial Injectables Botox and fillers with hyaluronic acid are highly popular med spa treatments, owing to their ability to address deep lines and wrinkles. Botox is used to paralyze facial muscles, while fillers are injected directly into wrinkles to ‘fill’ deep lines. Also trending are fillers with platelet-rich plasma therapy. The latter utilizes the patient’s own blood, which is put through a centrifuge, then reinjected into target areas. This blood contains a high concentration of platelets and it is said to help reduce wrinkles, firm up sagging skin, and diminish acne scars. It is often combined with micro-needling, which creates microtraumas in the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is also used by orthopedic surgeons to help athletes speed up their recovery after an injury. Laser Facial Treatments Two treatments that continue to dominate the laser beauty sector are Fractora and Fraxel. Fractora relies on radiofrequency energy, which is delivered to specified depths within the skin. It uses a matrix of micro-pins to create microtraumas and encourage collagen production for more youthful-looking skin. It has a downtime of up to one week and often produces a little redness and flaking. The effects are minimal and patients can begin wearing makeup again within a day or two. Its rival, Fraxel, employs a Diode laser to form microscopic holes in the skin, once again encouraging collagen production and self-healing. It requires around a week’s downtime, causing a little more discomfort than Fractora. It is ideal for aging, scars, and hyperpigmentation. Another big difference between Fraxel and Fractora is that the former can be used on active cystic acne as well as acne scars. Fractora, on the other hand, can address scarring but it cannot be used on skin with active breakouts. Laser for Hair Removal Diode and Nd:YAG are currently all the rage among those seeking permanent hair reduction or elimination. They target the pigment of hair follicles, causing ‘damage’ to the bulb. Nd:YAG is arguably the most popular of the two lasers because it lowers the risk of pigment changes and post-treatment pain and blistering. This laser is considered to be optimal for darker skin types. Another gentle laser is IPL, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Ultherapy for a More Youthful Neck, Chin, Brow, and Decolletage Ultherapy differs from laser in that it relies on thermal heating to lift and firm up skin in the neck, chin, brow, and decolletage. It heats up the skin’s deep thermal layer, once again causing microtrauma that rebuilds the skin’s elastic fibers. What makes Ultherapy so unique is that it enables the practitioner to physically see the layers of tissue being targeted. A typical session lasts between half an hour and one-and-a-half hours. After the treatment, patients can experience a little redness, swelling, and tingling, but these are considered minor. Another thing that sets this treatment apart is that there is no downtime. Patients can immediately go back to work or engage in social activity without having to take time out for wound healing. It is ideal for people with mild-to-moderate laxity. From fat freezing to thermal heating, there is a wide array of treatments that help consumers look young without having to resort to surgery. The body is as important a target as the face and treatments like fat freezing are considered a godsend for those with stubborn fat that resists attempts to reduce it via exercise and diet. Fillers also continue to dominate the beauty scene, as do newer treatments like Ultherapy, which rely on heat to lift and tone skin that has lost its youthful elasticity.
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