Cosmetic Trends for the Perfect Body

2013 Top Cosmetic Treatments:

1. Laser/light/energy-based procedures: 2.25 million, up 34 percent over 2012
2. Wrinkle-relaxing injections (such as Botox): 1.8 million, up 20 percent
3. Soft-tissue fillers (such as Juvederm): 995,000 procedures, up 8.6 percent

*American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)

Is the Quest for Body Perfection on the Rise?

We have all been relatively obsessed with being perfect, as it is embedded into us everywhere: on TV, magazines, the internet and so on. It’s hard not to notice everyone airbrushed and looking flawless, so naturally we want to do the same for ourselves. But has the obsession gone too far? Today, we are seeing more and more people striving to be perfect, with cosmetic dermatology procedures and many over the counter cosmetics, but is it really much different than from years prior? Let’s take an inside look the quest for body perfection.

Body Perfection: Past to Present

A few years back, we didn’t hear too much about laser hair removal, or when we did, it was more of a luxurious type treatment that many didn’t get. Nowadays, laser hair removal has grown to become the norm for many who want to rid their bodies of unwanted hair. And while costly, there are some deals and discounts that many can find, such as online with various coupon sites.

Botox was also given on the hush-hush because women didn’t want everyone in on their little secret of youth. And the thought of men actually getting Botox back in the day was also pretty unheard of. Today, all of that has changed. Botox is very common and popular with many people, including men and most are not that embarrassed to express their devotion to this treatment. Not only do people talk about it, but some even have Botox parties where they go together to get the treatment done and make a fun girls trip out of it. Men are also into using Botox and some even tell others about it, while others keep it to themselves, but what’s interesting is that they really are using it.

Today’s Cosmetic Trends

Customer satisfaction was highest for the following 3 cosmetic procedures:

1. Wrinkle-relaxing injections (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
2. Soft-tissue fillers (Belotero, Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma)
3. Body sculpting with cryolipolysis (Coolsculpting)

*American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)

In the past, we saw people go under the knife to get the look they want, but today there are so many different types of procedures that can be done without going to a plastic surgeon or into the operating room. Cosmetic dermatology has gotten easier for many patients because there are so many exciting options to choose from that will give the same results without the downtime from surgery.

Today, there are lots of treatments to rid your face of fine line and wrinkles and while Botox is still very popular, those who want the look of a facelift usually tend to try Thermage. This cosmetic treatment is actually known as the “non-surgical facelift” because it can help remove not only fine lines on the face and around the eyes, but also on the neck, giving you a completely youthful look. This type of treatment is done with lasers and usually takes about an hour to complete and only one session to get the benefits you want. However, unlike a facelift, this treatment is not permanent and will need to be redone over a period of time. But you will be able to see results within a week or so and won’t have much downtime to worry about since most side effects include redness where the lasers touched the skin.

Another very popular cosmetic procedure that has been helping many people smoothing their skin on their body is Coolsculpting. This type of cosmetic dermatology treatment can be done in your local dermatologist’s office and usually takes about an hour to complete. An applicator will be applied to the skin and a patient will feel a cold sensation along with some sucking from the applicator. This is all normal and helps freeze off fatty tissue locate in the muscles. Your own body will then help kill off the extra fat naturally. While a few sessions might be required, this type of treatment provides lasting results that are really noticeable. And it is very easy, as most patients are able to sit back and relax during the whole hour it takes, and once it’s done they can simply walk out of the office and continue enjoying the day by doing their usual activities.

Over the Counter Options

While there are so many new treatments out there that can be done in the dermatologist’s office, there are other treatments you can simply do on your own as well. There’s a huge rise in over the counter products that are said to help firm up the skin both on the face and the body, and there are so many different self-tanners and bronzers out there that help give you a healthy looking glow. Many people like using these because they help give a glow without baking in the sun, and they also help give a toned look to the body because tanned skin always gives off a healthier, sexier look. Skin creams are also bought more these days to help maintain a youthful look and to help rid the face of fine lines and wrinkles, even though most cosmetic treatments done in the office provide more beneficial results. This just shows how obsessed we all are with trying so hard to be perfect that we will try just about anything, including the next new expensive bottle of something or another.

2013 Top Reasons for Cosmetic Treatments

Top reasons consumers had cosmetic procedures:

1. To look “as young as I feel or better for my age.”
2. To appear more attractive.
3. To feel more confident.

*American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)

There has always been a need to look and feel, well, perfect but nowadays it seems like the need has grown so much more. We have so many more options to try and ones that are easy and provide little or no downtime, which makes getting these treatments almost a necessity rather than a luxury. Instead of not going through with a procedure because it has to be done in the operating room and you will need a recovery time, today, you can go to your local dermatologist’s office and get something done quickly and efficiently, without ever going under the knife. Cosmetic dermatology procedures sure have grown over the years, and there is no doubt that the need for them has grown as well.

References:

1. ASDS survey: Consumers rate wrinkle-relaxers, fillers and body sculpting treatments tops.  American Society of Dermatological Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.asds.net/_Media.aspx?id=8086

2. ASDS survey: Skin cancer, cosmetic procedures jump 22 percent in 2013. American Society of Dermatological Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.asds.net/_Media.aspx?id=7744