Non-Surgical Cosmetic Enhancement: Tips from Dr. Okamoto

There is a wide variety of options for both women and men who would like to effectively enhance their appearance, but may not need or desire surgical intervention to achieve their goals.

In part one of our blog series on non-surgical cosmetic enhancement, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Eric Okamoto, MD, offers some tips and advice on several non-surgical options:

What are some of the more popular non-surgical treatment recommendations and what concerns can they address? Can they be combined for more comprehensive results?

Multiple non-surgical pathways are available for those seeking youthfulness. The recommended course will depend upon one’s individual needs, which generally falls into three categories:

  1. Skin surface problems, like wrinkles or hyperpigmentation
  2. Facial volume deficiencies
  3. Skin laxity

Laser skin resurfacing with the Lumenis UltraPulse® laser is often recommended for skin-specific irregularities. Injectable neuromodulators such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® can also be very beneficial treatments for addressing fine lines and wrinkles, particularly in areas between the eyebrows and along the forehead. These solutions can be effective for reducing signs of crow’s feet and for rejuvenating other areas prone to wrinkling, as well. Injectable dermal fillers, like hyaluronic acid-based solutions or volumizers such as Sculptra® Aesthetic, are used to resolve depressions or volume deficiencies. Ultherapy®, an FDA-cleared device, will lift and tighten lax skin. Also referred to as “Ulthera®,” this option can be helpful for individuals with mild to moderate indications of aging, often providing these patients with an ideal alternative to a surgical facelift procedure. In some cases, one, two, three, or all four measures may be recommended, depending upon the circumstances.

If a laser skin resurfacing treatment is performed, what should be included in the ideal recovery checklist?

Prior to a skin-resurfacing laser treatment, the patient should have filled the prescriptions that were administered several weeks before. These include pain medications, antibiotics, antivirals, and hydroquinone cream. Immediately after a treatment, the patient’s skin is iced in the office to minimize swelling. They are given Aquaphor® ointment to maintain moisturized skin during the early healing process. Also, for the first few days after the treatment, compresses soaked in a cooled vinegar-water solution will be advised, so patients should have a bottle of vinegar handy. Sun avoidance during the healing phase is very important – sunscreens, hats, and umbrellas are highly recommended if it is necessary to go out during the day.

In our next blog post, we’ll have Dr. Okamoto’s recommendations on dermal fillers that can be effective for natural-looking lip enhancement, the importance of limiting sun exposure before a laser treatment, and more. If you have questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.