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In Down Economy, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments Flourishing

by Luke Willson

With the economy in recession, industries across the board have had to cut back. Plastic Surgery is not cheap, and many would assume that the cosmetic service industry would be taking quite a hit of late. But, while some compromises have been made, the fact remains, people are just as interested in looking their best as they were a few years ago. More to the point, they're discovering that spending less doesn't have to mean a lot less in the way of results.

The economic downturn has meant that plastic surgeons and cosmetic clinics have had to increase their marketing and promotions to bring in new patients. So, there are some fantastic deals available, if you know where to look...

One of the most interesting statistics to come out of the recession is from the 2008 "Economic Impact Survey" by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). The results show, among other things, that non-surgical alternatives to plastic surgery have grown in popularity. Of the plastic surgeons polled, 71% said that more patients were choosing non-invasive procedures, while 82% reported that patients were choosing less-expensive options. In other words, procedures like Botox or Restylane are being considered over more expensive treatments, like Facelifts. And, some affordable treatments like Laser Resurfacing are actually seeing an increase. In fact, according to a separate poll taken by the AACS, over the last three years there has been a 215% increase in women electing to have Laser Resurfacing, and a whopping 456% increase in men. It may have a lot to do with the results as much as the price, but Laser Skin Resurfacing is one treatment that seems to be recession-proof.

Here are a few more alternatives to plastic surgery which the savvy consumer might want to consider. Of course, a consultation with a Medical Professional is the only way to find out if a procedure is right for you, but just to get you thinking...

Injectable Dermal Fillers

While there are a number of different types of Injectables, they all work on the same basic principle. The solution injected into an area tightens up the skin to fill out wrinkles. Old favorites like Botox and Collagen continue to offer great results for an affordable price, but recent developments have lead to the invention of some newer versions, too. Restylane and Juvederm are both fairly new dermal fillers which take advantage of Hyaluronic Acid, a substance found naturally in the body, to remove wrinkles. Plus, with some of these more recent dermal fillers, the results can last over a year. While they can't compete with a Facelift in terms of the duration of results, these treatments are often many thousands of dollars less than plastic surgery.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

With recent developments in laser and radiofrequency technology, light therapy is fast becoming one of the most popular alternatives to a facelift. These affordable wrinkle treatments use heat energy to penetrate the deepest epidermal layers, stimulating collagen development. In turn, the collagen, a substance naturally produced by the body, will help give your skin a youthful elasticity and smoothness. Refirme, Thermage and IPL Photofacial are three very common treatments that can help remove wrinkles and tighten skin for a much lower price than a facelift. However, as with injectables, the results won't last as long as a surgical procedure, so repeat visits will be necessary.

Cellulite Removal and Body Shaping

You don't need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on Liposuction, when there are plenty of cheaper, less-invasive alternatives on the market. Contrary to popular opinion, procedures for fat reduction are not usually meant for weight-loss, and liposuction has never been proven helpful in cellulite reduction, either. There's no better way to eliminate excess fat quiickly and permanently, but Liposuction does have some non-surgical alternatives out there. Body contouring treatments like Velashape can deliver very nice results at a reasonable cost. Velashape uses a combination of light and radiofrequency to help break down pockets of exercise-resistant fat. Another alternative is Lipodissolve. Considered an advanced form of Mesotherapy, this treatment involves a series of fat-dissolving injections, perfect for toning a targeted area and believed to help reduce cellulite, as well.

In addition to the pricetag, there is another advantage non-invasive treatments have over plastic surgery. They take a lot less time. In general, an injectable dermal filler takes less than 15 minutes to administer, and most light treatments can be performed over a lunch break. Non-surgical treatments also require much less recovery time, if any.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that non-surgical cosmetic treatments are more affordable a reason: they offer only temporary results. Over the long haul, the money you're saving now may become less enticing as you realize that regular treatment touchups are needed. As any plastic surgeon can tell you, surgical procedures are often worth the investment for people who are serious about a change, because once it's done, you don't have to worry about it afterwards. It's a one and done.

It's also important to keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to cosmetic procedures, whether it's non-invasive or not, and you should meet with a medical professional before deciding on a treatment. Luckily for the cost-conscious consumer, many of our providers offer free, no-obligation consultations. To schedule your consultation or to have any questions answered, click here or call 866.471.8873.