It’s no secret our skin changes as we age—whether it’s noticing a loss of elasticity, the appearance of discolouration where you didn’t have it before or the emergence of a few fine lines here and there. The hands of time don’t stop for anyone. Although ageing is completely natural and something worth embracing, it’s normal for our feelings around it to be complicated. No matter our age, we want to look and feel our best. That’s where cosmetic treatments come in.
Choosing to undergo a cosmetic treatment, whether it’s something simple or more complex, requires careful thought and consideration. If you’ve been considering a cosmetic procedure to combat common skin concerns, such as acne, hyperpigmentation, dark spots or fine lines and wrinkles, you’ve likely come across the two main types of treatments: invasive and non-invasive. It might be confusing, but we’re here to help you understand the difference between the two. Let’s break it down.
What are Invasive Cosmetic Treatments?
Invasive cosmetic treatments are surgical procedures that involve penetrating the skin with an incision to make a structural change to the skin. They involve trained professionals, like plastic surgeons, and frequently require general or local anaesthetic and intravenous sedation. Common invasive cosmetic procedures include the deep plane facelift, rhinoplasty, chin implants and breast augmentation.
The Advantages
Offer a Dramatic Change in Appearance
If you’re after a more dramatic change in your appearance, invasive procedures provide more noticeable results that can be seen and felt faster compared to non-invasive treatments.
Permanent or Long-Lasting Results
In many cases, invasive procedures will offer results that are either permanent or long-lasting as they alter the skin or any underlying tissues.
The Disadvantages
Health Risks and Side Effects
Aside from possible scarring, invasive procedures come with possible adverse effects and health risks that should be discussed in a consultation with a trusted medical professional.
Expensive
Choosing to go under the knife is a big commitment and often comes with a costly price tag as it involves a higher level of skill, the use of general or local anaesthetic and may require you to stay overnight (or longer) at the clinic or hospital where the procedure is performed.
Lengthy Healing Process
When you undergo an invasive treatment, it usually requires an extended recovery period and restrictions on certain activities you can and cannot do for a set number of days or weeks.
What are Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments?
The term “non-invasive cosmetic treatments” refers to a range of non-surgical facial procedures performed to help enhance a person’s appearance without using invasive methods or requiring the person to undergo surgery. These treatments work to address several common skin concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, skin tone and texture, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and more.
There are a lot of different types of non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Some common options include the HydraFacial, microneedling, Laser Genesis, skin tightening thermage and injectables like the Rejuran skin booster. If you want to enhance your appearance without having to undergo a surgical procedure, these could be the option for you.
The Advantages
It comes as no surprise that non-invasive cosmetic treatments have surged in popularity, with many people opting for these procedures over traditional surgical methods.
Minimal Downtime
These procedures can often be completed promptly and with little discomfort and downtime so you can usually get back to your regular activities that same day. The shorter recovery period makes them a convenient option for people who aren’t able to take extended time away from their commitments and those who don’t want to deal with a complex recovery process.
Less Costly
Because these treatments don’t involve the expenses associated with surgical procedures, such as using surgical facilities and anaesthesia and being hospitalised, they’re a less costly alternative.
Reduced Risk of Complications
Non-invasive treatments have a reduced risk of complications and side effects because they don’t involve incisions or extensive handling of tissues.
The Disadvantages
While there aren’t many disadvantages associated with non-invasive cosmetic treatments, it’s important to note there may be instances where they won’t offer as dramatic of a change to your appearance when compared to surgical procedures. It’s possible you’ll need to come back for one or more repeated treatments for optimal results.
Which One is Right for Me?
Deciding between invasive and non-invasive cosmetic treatments is dependent on a few different factors. From things like cost and downtime to your individual cosmetic concerns and desired outcomes, there are a lot of questions you need to ask yourself before you book a consultation.
To start, ask yourself the following:
- What are my cosmetic concerns?
- What are my cosmetic goals?
- How much money do I want to spend on treatment?
- Can I take time off work? How much?
Photo by karelys Ruiz on Unsplash
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