With recent advancements in technology, approach, and brands, there are more ways to address cosmetic concerns than ever. Non-surgical options are becoming increasingly popular, and more non-invasive treatments are growing yearly as new methods and techniques develop. However, when exploring different rejuvenation options, the level of invasiveness and the terms used to describe how they work can be confusing.
At Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. W. Marshall Guy has helped countless patients navigate the wide range of non-invasive and non-surgical treatments and procedures. With his expertise, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you understand what these terms mean and how they relate to various treatment types.
The Difference Between Non-Invasive and Non-Surgical Treatments
Minimally invasive treatments require little-to-no downtime and very little discomfort, but they usually involve some sort of small puncture or even a small incision. They are outpatient procedures, meaning you won’t have to stay at the hospital after surgery, and they usually don’t require anesthesia. Non-invasive procedures are gaining popularity because patients can quickly return to their normal regular activities. There is also a significantly lower risk of developing infection or complications, while results remain impressive.
A non-surgical cosmetic treatment involves no needles, anesthesia, or incisions. Foreign objects like needles or scalpels do not enter the body at any time, meaning the entire procedure is done externally. Non-surgical procedures also involve little-to-no downtime, with patients being able to resume their regular activities, including work, immediately after treatment.
Benefits of Non-Invasive Facial Aesthetic Procedures
Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery offers an array of non-invasive procedures that can diminish fine lines and wrinkles, tighten lax skin, and sculpt and contour your facial features while boosting your appearance. Here are a few of the incredible benefits that non-invasive procedures offer:
- Minimal Discomfort: When it comes to invasive procedures, it’s not unusual to be sent home with pain medication or tips on relieving pain at home. Most of the discomfort associated with surgical procedures involves the incisions necessary to perform the surgery. With non-invasive procedures, pain or discomfort is generally minimal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Some procedures may leave you feeling tender initially, but those side effects should typically disappear after a day or two.
- No Overnight Hospital Stays: With non-invasive surgeries, you won’t have to worry about hospital food, uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, or stressing to prepare for an overnight stay. Non-invasive surgeries are generally performed as outpatient procedures, so you can return home the same day.
- Short Recovery and Downtime: Unlike more invasive surgeries, non-invasive treatments are much easier and faster to recover from. You won’t need to plan for someone to stay with you at home; in most cases, you can resume all your normal activities after a few days.
Advantages of Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetic Treatments
Non-surgical treatments are facials and skin procedures that do not require any incisions, sutures, or scars while still being able to make significant transformations to your skin and face. Some of the advantages and benefits of choosing non-surgical aesthetic treatments include the following:
- Wide Variety of Treatment Options: Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery offers a wide variety of non-surgical procedures at their Med Spa. Equipped with procedures like chemical peels, IPL, and Embrace RF to help bring your skin and aesthetic vision back to life.
- Less Recovery Time: One of the main advantages of non-surgical treatments is the reduced recovery time. When you choose to undergo surgery, you’ll need to schedule time for hospital stays, a period of recovery, and multiple follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure you’re healing is on the right trajectory. However, with non-surgical aesthetic treatments, you must only follow some basic steps to achieve the best results. In most cases, you can continue with your routine immediately.
- Easier Scheduling Availability: Due to non-surgical options not requiring a surgeon, anesthesiologist, or hospital stay, it is much easier to schedule a non-surgical treatment into your schedule. This means that non-surgical treatments are your best option if you want a rejuvenating facial treatment or Botox injections right before a special event.
Common Non-Invasive Facial Aesthetics Procedures
There is a plethora of non-invasive facial rejuvenation options to choose from to lift, sculpt, and revitalize your face. Dr. Guy specializes in non-invasive surgeries that offer minimal discomfort and little-to-no downtime, allowing patients to return to their everyday life almost immediately. Some non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments at Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery include:
- Dermal Fillers
- Botox and Dysport
- Platelet Rich Fibrin
- Microchannel dermal infusion facial
- Eyelid Surgery
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty using Dermal Fillers
Popular Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetic Treatments
The Med Spa at Dr. Guy Facial Aesthetics offers some of the latest and greatest in innovative and advanced non-surgical facial aesthetics without needles, incisions, or sutures. You can enjoy the results of your treatment without having to undergo a lengthy recovery time. Some of our most popular non-surgical treatments are:
Choosing the Right Option: Consultation and Customized Plans
When choosing between non-invasive and non-surgical aesthetic treatments, it’s best to consult with an expert in both methods. As a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Guy is highly educated and skilled in determining the best course of action to achieve the results you want. During your consultation, he’ll discuss your primary concerns, examine the targeted area, and present multiple options to help you achieve your desired results. From there, you can discuss whether a non-invasive or non-surgical approach is best for you.
Combining Non-Invasive and Non-Surgical Techniques: The Hybrid Approach
Before visiting with Dr. Guy, think about your overall expectations. Many patients want to address several annoying age-related problems at once: wrinkles, sagging skin, volume loss, and changes in skin pigmentation or texture. These are all common signs of aging, and many have to do with the same change happening in the body, primarily collagen loss, gravity, and sun damage. However, different cosmetic treatments are created to address different cosmetic concerns, but on their own, they may not be able to create all your desired results on their own. Often, it’s necessary to combine procedures in what’s been coined the “hybrid approach.”
Combining cosmetic treatments gives you the option of addressing different cosmetic concerns without the need for more invasive surgery. Some common combinations include Botox injections with laser skin resurfacing and dermal fillers. You can smooth deep folds and restore areas of lost volume while simultaneously treating dynamic wrinkles and dissolving brown spots. Choosing to combine treatments also allows the patient to fit their rejuvenation plan into their busy schedules.
The Future of Facial Aesthetics: Emerging Technologies and Trends
The rise of facial rejuvenation procedures only continues to soar in popularity due to social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, which all largely depend on a person’s public image. Another contributing factor is the rise of visual meetings for work.
Facial rejuvenation treatments are convenient, fast, and accessible while reducing the appearance of aging and restoring a youthful appearance. With so many emerging trends and innovative developments on the horizon, here are a few things you can expect to see in the coming years.
- Botox and Dermal Fillers: Botox® and dermal filler treatments offer an array of medical benefits for patients, including refreshing the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, and other effects of aging. Botox® is also being used to aid eye conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes) by gently relaxing the muscles. Botox is also being used to reduce excessive sweating and the painful effects of TMJ and migraines.
- Microneedling: Microneedling is an incredibly sought-after cosmetic procedure that provides numerous advantages for skin health. The non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation produces remarkable results while enhancing skin texture and youthful radiance. With more people seeking to reverse skin damage, microneedling is quickly becoming a popular aesthetic treatment choice.
- Light Therapy: Light-emitting therapy is a revolutionary approach to the health and wellness of your skin, giving patients the power to rejuvenate their skin from within. Using specialized wavelengths of light, this non-surgical treatment can regenerate skin cells and accelerate the growth of new tissue.
Choosing A Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Whether you’re choosing to undergo a surgical, a non-surgical, or a non-invasive procedure, it’s essential to your results and the success of your treatment that you choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Through their extensive education, training, and development of technique, they’re capable of achieving stunning results with safety and precision.
Learn more about how The Woodland’s best facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Guy, can help you achieve your aesthetic results by calling (832) 956-1040 or by requesting a consultation through our website today!