Posted on: January 4, 2008
A Nip, A Tuck … Or Not
Who says you have to get surgery to fight the aging process? Plus, plastic surgery by the numbers
By Deborah Douglas
CTW Features
There are plenty of non-surgical ways to keep looking good, says Dr. Mary Massa, a Rush University dermatologist in Chicago.
“If you’re looking in the mirror and saying, ‘You know what, my skin is looking older, I would like it to look smoother, healthier, glowy and more refreshed and even in color,’ we’ve got to be real and know that Mother Nature is going to make things worse,” Massa says. “The treatment of that condition is going to be ongoing.”
However, Massa notes, some products are not for long-term use, and gentler maintenance is necessary. For example, bleaching agents often cause a worsening of color, and cortisone can thin out the skin.
Following are surgery-free procedures to use aggressively to fight off signs of aging.
Topical creams and lotions: Topical derivatives of vitamin A (such as Retina-A) or over-the-counter retinols and glycolic acids promote collagen growth and affect how skin cells grow.
Result: Soften fine lines, smoother skin
Microdermabrasion: Done in doctors’ offices or high-end spas, this process gently removes dead top layers of skin with aluminum oxide particles. When the particles are skimmed across the face with a wand-like tool (it feels like sandpaper or being licked by a cat), it reveals newer-looking skin hiding underneath dead skin.
Result: Healthier-looking skin after a series of six to eight sessions every two to four weeks (for best results).
Lunch-time peel: A light chemical peel, dubbed the lunch-time peel because it takes so little time to perform in a doctor’s office, removes the top dead layers of skin and encourages collagen growth, which gives skin its elasticity and youthful appearance.
Result: Softened fine lines (after a suggested series of four to six peel sessions).
Fillers: Collagen and hyalonic acids (Restylane, Hylaform,
Captique) are accepted fillers used to soften signs of aging around the nose and mouth.
Result: Fuller lips, softened facial lines for three to six months
Thermage: High-intensity heat energy from a radio-frequency device is applied to the skin’s surface causing collagen to tighten skin.
Result: While not as dramatic as a surgical lift to the face, neck or brow, Thermage does tighten the forehead, cheeks and neck areas. “Most physicians wait three to six months,” Massa says. “And then if the patient has improvement, consideration is given for additional treatment.”
Cosmetic surgery? We want more
Reality TV has certainly boosted public awareness of cosmetic surgery, but we’re not breaking down doctors’ doors for a makeover, according to figures released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, New York City. Although the number of procedures grew 11.5 million in 2006, those figures represent a steady rate of growth that mirrors what’s happening elsewhere in the economy, ASPS says. Here’s a snapshot of who’s getting a nip and tuck, and what they’re getting:
• The top five surgical cosmetic procedures in 2006 were:
1. Liposuction (403,684 procedures)
2. Breast augmentation (383,886 procedures)
3. Eyelid surgery (209,999 procedures)
4. Abdominoplasty (172,457 procedures)
5. Breast reduction (145,822 procedures)
• The top five non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2006 were:
1. Botox injection (3,181,592 procedures)
2. Hyaluronic acid (1,593,554 procedures)
3. Laser hair removal (1,475,296 procedures)
4. Microdermabrasion (993,071 procedures)
5. Laser skin resurfacing (576,509 procedures)
• Women had over 10.5 million cosmetic procedures, 92 percent of the total. The top five surgical procedures for women were:
1. Breast augmentation
2. Liposuction
3. Eyelid surgery
4. Abdominoplasty
5. Breast reduction
• Men had nearly 1 million cosmetic procedures, 8 percent of the total. The top five surgical procedures for men were:
1. Liposuction
2. Rhinoplasty
3. Eyelid surgery
4. Breast reduction to treat enlarged male breasts
5. Facelift
