Non-surgical Trends
No one likes to look in the mirror and see signs of aging. Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t lie; fortunately, those signs can be altered and even reversed by taking advantage of technology and the latest advances in non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures.[pullquote]“This is a great way to give that look to someone who is lacking some hair,” she says. “It can be used as a fill-in for empty spaces, but it absolutely looks like hair. The difference from the old way is the mapping of the pattern that is used and the needle selection. It’s a high-end permanent makeup application.”[/pullquote]
“We like to look at a person and talk about what bothers them the most,” says Pamela Klein, RN and registered nurse injector at Skin Renewal of Tulsa. “A lot of times what bothers them is not what I see, necessarily. A lot of people say, ‘I want to look younger, what do you see?’ I show them things that I’m capable of doing versus plastic surgeons. I refer clients to plastic surgeons because of what they need. Some don’t want that, but others are fine to go with plastic surgery. Some things you can do without going to a plastic surgeon.”
Klein says she sees lots of clients that are interested in injectables and skincare treatments like chemical peels and Fraxel laser, which stimulates collagen, diminishes pigmentation, improves texture and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
Karen Weidner, owner of Utica Square Skin Care, says that microneedling is a trend she is having clients ask for frequently.
“Fractional microneedling makes micro-injuries to the skin, so what is replaced is healthier skin more even in texture and color. It’s great for scars, for pores, for revitalizing,” says Weidner. “Microneedling is not a new process – it’s been done in Europe for years – but it’s a new trend just coming here.”
Weidner also sees an increase in demand for permanent makeup. She applies permanent eyebrows with a three-dimensional simulated hairstroke technique that makes eyebrows appear natural.
“This is a great way to give that look to someone who is lacking some hair,” she says. “It can be used as a fill-in for empty spaces, but it absolutely looks like hair. The difference from the old way is the mapping of the pattern that is used and the needle selection. It’s a high-end permanent makeup application.”
Dr. Jeff Alexander, dermatologist and medical director of the Skin Care Institute, says his medical spa is poised to add radio frequency procedures to the already impressive list of treatments offered.
Fractora and Forma are new devices that tighten skin and reduce wrinkles by comfortable, focused radio frequency skin warming. These devices have built-in, real-time, temperature sensors that automatically keep the skin at safe therapeutic levels, Alexander says.
BodyFX is a new technology based on temperature-controlled radio frequency fat destruction and skin tightening that achieves enhanced, non-invasive body contouring of buttocks, abdomen, flanks and thighs.
“The reason for adding these devices to The Skin Care Institute is that this new radio frequency platform is a breakthrough in technology,” Alexander says. “It achieves unsurpassed results with safety and comfort at a level before unknown in the aesthetic realm.”
2013 Top 5 Cosmetic Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Botulinum toxin type A 6.3 million
- Soft tissue fillers 2.2 million
- Chemical peel 1.2 million
- Laser hair removal 1.1 million
- Microdermabrasion 974,000
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Where To Begin
Patients may visit a dermatologist or medical spa in search of change but unsure of what change is needed. Luckily, there are dermatologists, nurses and aestheticians that are qualified to help those patients find a plan that fits their ideals.
Pamela Klein, RN and registered nurse injector at Skin Renewal of Tulsa, says that she likes to begin sessions with a head-to-neck consultation in which she tells the patient what she has available.
“I almost always have Botox or a neurotoxin [in the plan],” she says, “and then we look at areas where you could do this or that. You may have volume loss in a few areas. A lot depends on age, what bothers the client, what I see, pricing, etc.”
Karen Weidner, owner of Utica Square Skin Care, says that she focuses on non-surgical treatments that can help clients feel their best
“Basically, it’s important to exfoliate the skin,” she says. “My goal is to get everyone’s skin more even in tone and texture. We do our best to remove benign lumps and discoloration and refresh the skin and hydrate the skin so it looks better and feels better. I love what I do because people are so happy with how their skin looks. I think it’s a great way to look refreshed.”
Both Klein and Weidner say that they recommend laser treatments, such as Fraxel, to many clients who suffer from skin scarring, especially from acne.
Klein says that for younger clients, she will often recommend laser hair removal.
“It’s still a great thing that a lot of younger girls like,” she says. “I have lasered pretty much everything. It’s nice to not have to shave every day.”
For clients 50 and older, Klein says that she often recommends a blepharoplasty, better known as an eyelid lift, a procedure that is performed by a surgeon.
“You can get a little [lift] with Botox, but a surgical procedure is what they should do,” she says.
Topical treatments and ointments can also assist in helping men and women look their best. Klein says that she often prescribes Retin-A to treat skin discoloration, Valtrax for lip sores and physician-grade skin cleansers and moisturizers.
She says that one thing she tells all clients is to avoid tanning beds.
“We’ve seen a huge rise in melanoma due to tanning beds,” she says.
Regardless of how little or how much work clients are interested in, non-surgical procedures can go a long way in helping improve appearance and confidence.
