You eat healthy, you work out, you wear sunscreen, you moisturize, you exfoliate, you try to stay on top of the latest fashion, you still feel young… so where did those lines come from? And are those age spots? How did that happen?
When your outside appearance doesn’t match the vibrancy you feel inside, there are a number of safe, affordable, convenient, pain-free, non-surgical procedures that can help you become a smooth-cheeked, fresh-faced, rested and younger-looking you. Here are five of the most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:
Botox injections — Achieving a smooth-cheeked, fresh-faced, rested and younger-looking you can be achieved through softening lines in your forehead, around your eyes or near your mouth, Sometimes Botox gets a bad reputation because of people overdoing it, most notably the Hollywood elite. The truth is, when a small amount of Botox is administered by an experienced provider, the end result is a natural softening of unwanted lines and wrinkles without compromising your facial expressions. The most commonly treated areas include dynamic wrinkles caused by smiling or frowning, such as: crow’s feet (sides of the eyes), glabellar (between the eyes) frown lines, laugh lines, and forehead wrinkles. There are very few side effects, and results last anywhere from four to six months.
Dermal filler injections — Even though dermal fillers and Botox peform the same function, they are not the same thing. Dermal fillers are injected into the face and fill wrinkles and creases with a substance to eliminate the appearance of wrinkles, while Botox is injected into the muscle. The concept is simple: If an area of the body can’t “scrunch up,” it can’t wrinkle. Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, made from hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring substance in the body) can be used for lines around the mouth and nasolabial folds, static wrinkles—or the wrinkles you see when your face is at rest (as opposed to dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet or laugh lines that you see when you’re making an expression. Results typically last longer than Botox.
Chemical peels — One of the oldest rejuvenating methods around, chemical peels are designed to remove the dead skin cells from the skin’s surface layer and re-stimulate the regenerative process, rejuvenating the skin, reducing roughness, improving skin tone, lessening fine lines, and bringing about a healthier appearance.
Laser hair removal — According to “Plastic Surgery for Laser Hair Removal,” up to 22 percent of women in North America have excessive or unwanted facial hair, which can negatively affect their quality of life. When women (and men) get sick and tired of plucking, shaving, waxing, bleaching, using chemical depilatories, there is laser hair removal. With laser hair removal, a laser beam passes through the skin to individual hair follicles to remove unwanted hair. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth. It typically takes several treatments for the best results.
Microdermabrasion — Like sandblasting the skin, microdermabrasion removes the outer layer of dull skin and encourages collagen growth for healthy, soft, revitalized skin. The technique can be used to successfully reduce very fine wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, minimize large pores, and help reduce acne scars and age spots at a very low risk. The painless procedure takes between 5-10 minutes. A series of treatments is recommended. Microdermabrasion is not for people with severe acne, skin infections, or those wanting to get rid of deep wrinkles.
*Remember that every patient and every cosmetic procedure is different. Cost, risk, results, and recovery time vary depending on individual circumstances. Consumers should do their research, and—with the guidance of licensed medical professionals—select procedures appropriate for their unique needs.
Kovanda Plastic Surgery
When searching for a plastic surgeon, you deserve to find someone who is specialized in what you’re looking for, not someone trained in another specialty who practices plastic surgery on the side. “It’s important to do your homework and make sure they are boardcertified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in the specialty you are choosing,” says Dr. Chris Kovanda of Kovanda Plastic Surgery. “Board certification ensures the surgeon has achieved a certain standard of competence in their field.”
Dr. Kovanda is double-certified in general and plastic surgery and is a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons—a prestigious membership granted to only a small fraction of board-certified plastic surgeons. He went to medical school in Michigan, completed a surgery internship in Illinois, completed five years of general surgery (including the responsibility of chief resident) in Connecticut, completed plastic surgery residency in Boston, then went to Minnesota for the past decade, dividing his time between three area hospitals and offices.
“When I saw my first plastic surgery in medical school —a facial bone reconstruction after an assault —I knew what an impact it had in that particular patient’s life and I knew that was what I wanted to do,” he comments. “Plastic surgery changes peoples lives for the better. Whether it’s reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, our specialty has the unique privilege of restoring people’s bodies and spirits.”
Kovanda Plastic Surgery
9825 Hospital Drive ste LL-10 Maple Grove, MN 55369
612-335-9032 • www.kovandaplasticsurgery.com
6545 France Ave So., suite 276
Edina, MN 55435
