Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

People will go to great lengths to preserve youth and beauty, especially when it comes to their faces. Taking care of our bodies goes a long way in keeping us looking youthful for many years past what some others might experience. For example, those who get a dark tan and have lots of exposure to UV rays will often develop more wrinkles and “leathery” looking skin as they age, whereas those who are careful to protect their skin will develop fewer wrinkles later in life.

Microcurrent Facial Sculpting uses electrical currents to lift and firm.
Image from hdbeautynow.com

But beyond simple tricks to keep wrinkles at bay, which I wrote a post on back in February, many people resort to surgical and non-surgical procedures to help them stay young looking. As far as cosmetic medicine goes, the most I’ve ever participated in was a facial—but I’ve always been intrigued by some of the methods that have been developed to keep the wrinkles at bay.

Here are some of the non-surgical procedures I’ve heard of people using and what I could find out about them:

Microcurrent Facial Sculpting lifts and firms muscles using tiny electrical currents so slight that they can’t be felt. They help relax tightened muscles and help sagging muscles regain strength and firm up. Microcurrent treatments essentially restore the facial muscles to their original shape and position, and the effects can be seen immediately.

Invisilift tightens and tones the face and neck using sound waves (like an ultrasound). These sound waves do several things, including increasing blood and oxygen flow in the skin, stimulating lymphatic drainage, and increasing collagen and elastin production in the dermis (which helps us produce healthier skin). It can help with acne, rosacea, complexion color and texture, puffiness, sagging skin, and pore size.

Suzanne Somers is on Mattone's "Wall of Fame"
Image from suzannesomers.com

Endermologie reduces cellulite appearance and circumference using a sucking and rolling technique that smooths cellulite while redistributing dimpled skin. Essentially, it helps with the “cottage cheese” appearance that our top layer of fat can have. Its effects are temporary and most noticeable on those who are in fairly good shape.

Celebrities and A-listers have used many of these procedures in the past, and doctors like Kelly O’Malley Mattone have walls of fame that feature people like the Cuomos, Suzanne Somers and Russell Crowe. Mattone grew up with a love for both medicine and aesthetics, which is why she eventually made her way into cosmetic medicine after working in sports medicine for many years. She now has her own cosmetics line and cosmetic medicine studio. Her husband, real estate mogul Carl Mattone, is equally as successful in his career as well. Talk about a power couple!

What do you all think of procedures like these? Like I said, I’ve never tried any of them before, but I am intrigued by them. They seem harmless enough, and I suppose if you’ve got the money and it matters that much to you it could be worth it. For now, I’ll stick to using sunscreen, eating salmon, and drinking tea J

Mirror, Mirror on the… Hey, Is That a Wrinkle?!

Wrinkles: at some point in our lives, we’ll all get them. It’s a natural part of aging and goes along with the degradation of collagen in our bodies. And while we will inevitably find more and more wrinkles on our hands and faces as we age, there are a few things research has taught us over the years that may help slowwrinkles down.

Getting wrinkles is a natural part of aging.

Image: Shutterstock

The number one cause of wrinkles is sun. That means if you’re set on spending all summer, every summer out in the sunlight getting your tan on, you’ll likely see more wrinkles sooner than those who work hard to protect their skin. Need proof? Last summer a story was featured on the NY Post about a trucker who spent 28 years on theroad with half his face in the sun. You can literally see the difference sun makes by looking at one half of his face as compared to the other.

Pulling all-nighters takes its toll as well. When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it produces and excess of cortisol, which breaks down skin cells. When you do get enough sleep, your body produces Human Growth Hormone (HGH) instead, which keeps your skin healthy and thick. Furthermore, if you always sleep on the same side or on your stomach, you may eventually develop permanent sleep lines on your face that don’t go away.

Half of this trucker's face is badly damaged from sun
Image from nypost.com

What you eat affects wrinkles as well. Whole foods boost collagen, while processed and sugary foods do the opposite. Foods like salmon, which contains plenty of fatty acids, helps keep skin supple and smooth. Soy has also been found to help improve firmness. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables (especially berries and dark leafy greens) also help fight any skin damage you may have. Green and black teas also include antioxidants to help slow collagen degradation.

Have you ever noticed that men and women who are physically fit seem to age slower? That’s because building muscle tone through strength training and yoga helps prevent sagging and delivers oxygen throughout your body (including to your skin!).

Being happy leads to fewer wrinkles.

Image: Shutterstock

When skin gets dry, it cracks, bleeds—and wrinkles. Drinking enough water keeps skin moisturized and clean. Moisturizers with peptides in them also help keep skin healthy, so check your ingredients list. Moisturizer should be applied just after washing skin because the dampness can help lock in more moisture. If you’ve already noticed some wrinkles appearing, try a retinol cream. Dabbing on a small amount can help repair skin and reduce wrinkles.

Last, but certainly not least, happiness and independence from chemical substances helps prevent wrinkles. Those who smoke or drink alcohol on a regular basis may develop more wrinkles than those who do not. Studies have also indicated that people who are optimistic about life and in a happy relationship also had fewer wrinkles and looked younger.