5 Facial Procedures with the Least Amount of Downtime

1. 5 Facial Procedures with the Least Amount of Downtime If you’re thinking of getting a facelift or another significant surgery, but the prospect of a lengthy recovery has you second-guessing yourself, it may be wise to consider other options. Here, you will learn more about five different facial procedures with very little downtime (if any at all) that can rejuvenate your skin to make you look and feel decades younger. #1 – Botox Injections Botox is a simple, easy way to minimize and perhaps even erase the appearance of even the deepest wrinkles. During a session, your facial aesthetics team will inject the “problem areas” you describe with a small amount of botulinum toxin, which essentially relaxes the muscles just below your face. In turn, this relaxes the skin and helps smooth out wrinkles. Following each session, patients may experience a little discomfort, swelling, and redness, but this is temporary and typically goes away in a day or two. The results last anywhere from two to eight months with most patients returning for treatments after four months. #2 – Injectable Fillers When a facelift is not ideal, but you still wish you could recontour your face, injectable fillers are alternatives with very little downtime. The most popular filler among men and women alike is Juvederm, which can be used in a variety of ways to rejuvenate your skin and erase the years. It can reduce the appearance of even the most severe wrinkles by simply adding volume back into the skin, which makes the skin appear smoother and decreases the severity of folds. Much like Botox, discomfort during the procedure is minimal, and patients will often experience some redness, swelling, and perhaps mild bruising that goes away in a matter of days. Even better, the results last up to two years. #3 – Chemical Peels If you are concerned about the appearance of dark spots, blemishes, wrinkles, and other imperfections, a chemical peel may be the answer. Women who have significant melasma, or a darkening of the skin due to hormones from pregnancy or birth control pills, can also benefit a great deal from this treatment. There are several options, including both a light peel, a deep peel, or a combination of these. Each one seeks to “injure” the outer layer of skin, allowing it to slough off and reveal newer, brighter skin. Though deep peels provide the best results, they also have the longest recovery times. Light –A light chemical peel may cause a little irritation and discomfort, but patients can resume normal activities (work, sports, etc.) immediately. Deep – A deep chemical peel creates a thicker layer of new skin, so the recovery time is a bit longer. Immediately following a deep peel, skin may be red and sensitive, and most doctors recommend that patients take a week off work to recover. For most patients, most of the healing takes place in seven to 10 days, but for some, complete healing may take as long as two months. Medium/Combination – Of course, your team can create a specialized peel that suits your needs, as well, allowing you to get the perfect balance of results and minimized recovery. #4 – Microneedling Microneedling is an in-office procedure requiring the use of a specialized tool that delivers tiny needle pricks to the skin. In fact, many patients have compared the procedure to getting a tattoo, but with less pain and discomfort thanks to the use of a topical anesthetic. The goal is to slightly damage the skin and stimulate its ability to heal itself. Microneedling is a great choice for those who want to minimize wrinkles or the appearance of scars. Treatments take about 45 minutes, and patients report swelling and redness that lasts roughly 24 hours. However, there is no recovery time, and patients can return to work and other activities immediately after the procedure.

2. #5 – Laser Resurfacing Finally, laser resurfacing is an incredibly popular treatment that can drastically change the appearance of your skin quickly – without the need for invasive surgery or injections. It reduces the appearance of everything from red and brown marks to scars, tattoos, and even stretchmarks. The number of sessions patients need varies, as does the intensity of the treatment. The more intensive the treatment you received, the longer your recovery time will be. On average, patients are able to return to work and other activities in roughly seven days. As you can see, invasive surgery is not the only option when it comes to making your skin look fresher, brighter, healthier, and even younger. All of the options above can be done in the office in an hour or less, on average. Though some may require you to take a few days off to recover, others have zero downtime.