For many, the pandemic meant closing businesses or working from home. For most plastic surgeons, however, this time gave rise to an increased interest in plastic surgery, especially in facial cosmetic surgery procedures.
Over the past two years, plastic surgeons have seen an increase in facial surgery requests and procedures, with many now booked out months in advance. If you have to wait to have surgery due to this high demand, there are ways to address some facial concerns and the signs of aging in the meantime.
During the pandemic, many people worked from home and daily Zoom meetings became a regular part of the routine. This meant staring back at your own face for hours a day. An up-close look at your own face on a daily basis can reveal signs of aging you may have missed in the mirror. Or maybe you never noticed the slight bump on the bridge of your nose, or how puffy the skin under your eyes has become. You are not alone. During the pandemic, the top cosmetic surgical procedures shifted toward nose reshaping, eyelid surgery and facelifts.
With an increased demand for surgical facial procedures, many board-certified plastic surgeons find their surgical schedule completely booked out for several months. People looking for a quicker fix for signs of aging can and should consider nonsurgical aesthetic treatments. The aestheticians and technicians who practice within plastic surgery offices, while still currently very busy, generally tend to have more schedule flexibility and availability than plastic surgeons.
Nonsurgical treatments can help reduce the signs of aging by reducing wrinkles, adding facial volume, improving skin tone and more. While med spa treatments are not permanent like surgery, most last for several months. This can "tide you over" until the day of your surgical procedure. Here's a look at a few of the most popular nonsurgical treatments to help you refresh until your surgery day arrives.
One med spa treatment that can provide quick and noticeable results is Botox, which is short for botulinum toxin. This wrinkle reducer is widely known, and for good reason. It can fade lines on the forehead and around the eyes, helping you look younger and refreshed while you wait for the day of your facial surgery. Common brands include Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and Jeuveau®.
Another med spa option is dermal fillers. These injectables, also known by brand names such as Juvéderm®, Restylane®and Radiesse®, can help soften facial creases and wrinkles, improve the appearance of recessed scars, boost facial volume, plump up thinning lips and more. While these injections will not replace surgical procedures such as a facelift, brow lift or eyelid surgery, they can help to reduce the signs of aging and give you a more youthful appearance.
These types of treatments can take many forms. Laser and light-based therapies such as Sciton's HALO™️ fractional laser skin resurfacing system can help patients achieve smoother skin and a more even skin tone. Many other treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, HydraFacial® and more can also reduce signs of aging and leave the skin looking refreshed.
If your plastic surgeon is booked and you are a bit frustrated by the delay, you are probably not alone. Work with the office to find creative ways to achieve some of your goals while you're waiting for your surgery day. In the end, you expect to enjoy your surgical results for years to come, and having some patience now is a small tradeoff to have your procedure performed by a talented, board-certified plastic surgeon who can deliver the look you really want.