We all want to feel confident in social settings, and one of the biggest drivers of our confidence is our own perception of how good we look. However, we are also our own biggest critics. While showing some signs of ageing is only natural as we get older, some people do not like the way these make them look and feel less confident in themselves as a result.
While there are some long-term solutions to the toll of ageing on our skin, such as plastic surgery, this is usually expensive. Also, not everybody wants to go under the knife unless it is truly necessary to save their lives. Fortunately, there are many minimally invasive and non-invasive alternatives available today.
This short guide will introduce some of the most popular of these alternatives, discussing how they work and how effective they are compared to surgical treatments.
HIFU
High intensity focused ultrasound, also known as HIFU treatment, is a non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to imitate some of the results of a facelift, namely tighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin. The way that it works is it uses the ultrasound waves, which can painlessly pass through the skin, to imperceptibly heat some of the skin cells deep below the surface. These cells are damaged, and from that point your body’s natural recovery process takes over, producing collagen which makes skin cells in the area look tighter and firmer.
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Botox
Most people are familiar with Botox now as it is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments globally. It reduces wrinkles and creases by stopping the muscles near where it is applied from contracting. This keeps the skin on top of them smooth and taught. The application of Botox is considered to be a minimally-invasive procedure, which means that it does involve putting things into your skin but not making any large cuts.
Dermal fillers
Not everything that makes us look older is directly related to our skin. Our faces also lose volume as we age, especially in places such as our cheeks. What dermal fillers do is restore this lost volume by injecting gel underneath the skin in the affected areas. Like Botox, these are minimally-invasive as they do not require any large incisions to be made. However, a qualified doctor is required in order to get them.
The effectiveness of non-invasive treatments
The efficacy of all of the above treatments is good. They all do what is claimed, although the results may take longer to show up and may not be as dramatic as those from surgical procedures. However, they offer other benefits such as being more affordable, having faster recovery times, and causing less discomfort. Not needing to make large incisions or undergo anaesthetic also reduces their risk considerably.
Conclusion
Today, there are many minimally-invasive treatments available which effectively combat the signs of ageing and can help restore people’s confidence. It is always wise to consult with a medical professional to see if such treatments are right for you, but generally speaking they offer visible results with less risk than surgery.
