Surgical vs non-surgical treatments for the face

Date: 30/05/2013

Author: Ingrid Katz (Pure Aesthetics)

We all desire healthy, clear & youthful-looking skin. But in a market flooded with so many different treatments and products, how does one know which route to chose? We keep it simple – what gives results, what changes skin?

The most important thing is to understand your skin, budget and objective. There are many affordable solutions out there but it is important to do your research and realise that the cheapest option isn't necessarily the best.

You wear your face every day, this is what meets the world and so we believe your skin is always a worthwhile investment.

Non-surgical treatment options:

  • Facials
  • Glycolic Acid Peels
  • Injectable Fillers
  • Botulinum Toxin
  • Lasers

Surgical:

Should you be looking for a more permanent solution to reversing the ageing process, surgery is the answer. There are a number of cosmetic surgeries that can make a huge difference when combined with some of the non-surgical options.

These can range from an eyelid lift, brow lift, nose reshaping, cheek or chin implants, fat fills to a full face lift. A well maintained skin will always allow for a better result when having any of these facial surgeries. An important point to remember is that a surgeon will treat the tissue, loose skin and muscle but the skin (surface) itself does not get treated by surgery.

Good surgery delivers remarkable results, but carries significant risk too. For more information on plastic surgery, click here.

More on non-surgical options:

  • Facials – these treatments address the top layers of the skin, mostly the epidermis. They can improve skin clarity, texture, and colour as well as cleanse pores. Do this ideally once a month.
  • Gylcolic Acid Peels – this treatment works as a strong superficial peel by stimulating a very fast skin cell turnover rate, breaking down the protein bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. This allows those cells to slough off and for new cells to push through. In addition the skin is able to draw moisture in, improving the skin tissue, reducing fine lines, dullness, pigmentation and enlarged pores. It really is a multi-tasker and the skin immediately feels softer and smoother.
  • Injectable Fillers – fillers address the loss of volume as we age, especially in the dermal and fat layers. These instantly show results on the face. When administered strategically fillers can take years off of the face by filling lines, lifting and plumping whilst keeping a natural appearance. The application is an art form and should ONLY be done by a qualified and experienced doctor. Swelling as well as bruising, are generally unavoidable and so it is best not to plan any social engagements directly after a treatment. The results last between 6 – 18 months.
  • Botulinum Toxin – Botulinum Toxin and fillers are very different but when used together create great results. Botulinum Toxin slows muscle contraction (relaxes) to prevent lines from forming. As with fillers, this is an injectable and should only be administered by doctors. Most often Botulinum Toxin is used on frown lines, crow's feet and laugh lines. When administered correctly, it can also lift the brows, giving a refreshed look to the face. The final result should give you a natural smooth look while leaving you with ability to still show expression. You will see the results in a few days and the results should last approximately 3 months.
  • Lasers– lasers can vary from being non-ablative which means little or no downtime, to ablative where recovery time can take weeks or even months. Non-ablative treatments are very popular as our busy clients often cannot take time off work.
    • Laser Genesis is a non invasive technology to get down to the dermis to stimulate collagen production and healthy cell growth. It smoothes out surface layers and fine lines, is great for gradually building volume and reducing redness. It is great for people with a reddish complexion caused by rosacea and also helps clear breakouts and bacteria on an acne skin. It can be used on all skin types and colours. For optimal results we normally recommend a course of 6 – 8 treatments.
    • Limelight (IPL) is a shortwave light that hits the skin targeting discoloured (pigmented) areas. It stimulates healing by delivering heat deeper into the dermis and pulling the pigment to the surface. It is highly effective for fair skinned people with sun damage, age spots, and surface rosacea and also helps refine texture and pore size. Very importantly, this treatment is not suitable for tanned, olive or dark skins. The treatment runs the risk of hypo-pigmenting these skins (leaving a spot void of any colour).

Click here for more information on these non-surgical treatment options.