When it comes to plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures on the face, following what’s trendy is not always smart, safe or even effective. Cosmetic enhancement procedures and devices continue to evolve, which can mean great things for both plastic surgeons and patients alike, but far too often quick-fix procedures come to market without adequate research, demonstrated results and properly trained technicians.
Additionally, the advertising of no-downtime facial fixes is often misleading — sometimes downright false in its claims. This deception only adds to the confusion among consumers looking for new ways to keep their youthful glow and gain confidence during the aging process.
At Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center, our goal is to educate patients about the difference between beneficial and simply trendy techniques in facial plastic surgery and medical aesthetics. With over 25 years of performing facelifts and nonsurgical laser procedures, Denver facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brent J. Smith and his team have an exceptional understanding of the difference between important advancements that lead to better results — and trends that can mislead consumers.
One example of a current trend is “threading.” While this medical aesthetics procedure is popping up everywhere these days, it’s important to know that it’s an older methodology that’s been remarketed as something new. Doctors
performed threading, or inserting surgical-grade threads just under the skin to lift it, a decade ago.“The idea is that you go underneath the first layer of the skin for an instant effect, but skin doesn’t like to be under that kind of tension,” Dr. Smith explains. “They’ve taken something that’s been around and renamed and remarketed it. And, yes, you get an instant result, but the result doesn’t last.”
That said, some great things are happening in the facial plastic surgery world. Here are three “trends” that we believe have great value for Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center clients.
This is a catchy term for how facial plastic surgeons are assisting patients in safely intervening in the aging process before wrinkles set in. Think of it like eating healthier on a regular basis rather than fad dieting to reduce unwanted belly fat. Rather than waiting until the visual signs of aging are uncomfortably apparent, prejuvenation is an industry-wide trend toward early intervention.
Through our newly expanded nonsurgical team, Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center offers a range of time-tested prejuvenation services like BOTOX® and laser resurfacing. Prejuvenation can also include carefully planned preventative surgical work as well.
This effective procedure uses a patient’s natural fat to complement a cheek and neck lift procedure. It adds back that youthful volume that disappears over time. “In the past, the industry didn’t fully appreciate the role volume loss plays in facial aging or have techniques to effectively deliver fat grafting to the face,” Dr. Smith says. “We could lift muscle and tighten skin, but surgery was still limited to a two-dimensional appearance. The ‘third dimension’ is volume, or in this case repositioning an individual’s own body fat into their face.”
In his procedure, Dr. Smith performs a micro liposculpture technique in a discreet area of the body and transfers that fat into the patient’s face to bring back its most youthful, natural form. We refer to fat grafting as liposculpture. Even better than common cosmetic fillers, liposculpturing during a facelift delivers beautiful, long-lasting results.
But the real beauty of liposculpture is that its benefits last well beyond surgery. Fat grafting keeps working, nourishing skin from the inside out through the stem cell effect. New fat stores add a fresh foundation to existing facial muscles, building critical collagen and strengthening skin as it ages.
By now, most people have heard of laser-based cosmetic procedures for skin enhancement and corrections. Advanced lasers have vast applications for helping to correct everything from sunspots to spider veins. But the technology continues to improve in this area, which makes Dr. Smith’s laser work even more pinpointed and predictable every year.
At Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center, we only work with the safest and most effective advanced tools such as the Cynosure Smart Skin fractional CO2 laser. Today’s laser resurfacing procedures come with far greater accuracy and far shorter down time (as few as four days).
While we are happy to walk curious clients through the pros and cons of trendy, procedures, the best piece of advice we can give is to go with your gut: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t waste your time and money on facial fads.
Instead, schedule a comprehensive, complimentary consultation directly with Dr. Smith or one of his trusted nonsurgical providers. Learn what your individual face could benefit from — as well as procedures that may provide a temporary effect, but won’t last in the long run. In this day and age, informed advice is invaluable. We’re here to help you make the best, most informed decision possible to realize the lasting and natural results you desire.
Call us today at 888-219-0325 or contact us online to arrange your free consultation.
