Celebrities don’t stop aging after 25 without a bit of help. Some of them will have rigorous skincare regimens and dietary restrictions, although a good number of them rely on the skills of their cosmetic surgeons. Going under the knife can be dangerous, scary, and expensive — but there are non-surgical alternatives that can still give you back your youth.
Botox Injections
Wrinkles on your face are a clear sign of aging, but a few shots of Botox can leave your skin smoother than ever. Botox is one of the most popular aesthetic treatments to look younger — and for good reasons. With just a few injections, your body can rid itself of fine lines, crow’s feet, as well as wrinkles on the forehead, cheeks, and chin. Botox can be used to treat wrinkles or even to prevent them from even forming. Preventative Botox use is becoming popular in certain circles, and people in their 20s and 30s start early regimens to delay the onset of wrinkles.
Botox injections are safe when performed by qualified and experienced doctors. There can be side effects like a bit of pain, swelling, and bruising — as well as the usual side effects of having a numbing agent applied to your face. Swelling and bruising can last two to three days, but the numbing sensation and facial control problems are usually gone within hours. The procedure requires several injections, which can cost a total of $500 to $600. Botox typically lasts three to five months, but you should get back to your doctor before then.
Juvederm
Unlike Botox, fillers like Juvederm adds volume to the skin while moisturizing it — sealing the gaps and cracks that form wrinkles. Fillers work best on areas around the mouth and nose, concealing fine lines without hampering muscle movement. Deeper wrinkles on the forehead and other parts of the face might be harder to conceal completely, although fillers can make them appear lighter. Using Juvederm or any other filler creates a more natural look and none of the frozen features associated with Botox.
Procedures are more drawn out (sometimes lasting 30 minutes or more) as every line and wrinkle has to be filled separately. Fillers are injected close to the surface of your skin, so expect a bit of pain, redness, bruising, swelling, and itching. Procedures can cost $600 to $700 — although the price can double if you opt to treat your entire face. Juvederm can last up to two years, but make sure to get back to your doctor after six to 12 months.
PDO Thread Lifts
Thread lifts make use of your body’s natural collagen to tighten your skin. PDO threads are inserted in certain areas of the face and neck, stimulating collagen’s natural production. The threads are the same ones used for cardiac surgery — they are safe and absorbed by the skin in six months. A face-lifting procedure requires special needles to insert the PDO threads into the face or neck. PDO threads can be used in almost any part of the body that requires lifting — including the butt, upper arms, stomach, thighs, and around the knees.
Because the procedure uses your body’s own collagen, the results only get better as time passes. Your looks will appear more natural — with none of the frozen features or hamster cheeks from Botox. A thread lift can cost around $1,000 to $2,000. PDO threads will usually dissolve in five to six months — however, the extra collagen in your body will continue to keep you looking young for up to three years.
Scalp Micro-pigmentation
There’s no clearer sign of aging than losing your hair. Transplants can have variable results, and hairpieces will only leave you open for embarrassment. Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) simulates the appearance of hair by layering pigments onto the dermal layer of your scalp. The procedure can only give you the appearance of a buzz cut, but it would conceal any bald spots. You’ll get a youthful and edgy look instead of bald patches.
An SMP procedure is similar to getting a tattoo. The procedure lasts three to five hours, requiring minimal anesthetics. The pigments set in two to three days, and then you’re free to do whatever you want. An SMP procedure can cost around $2,000 for two or three applications. It is semi-permanent and can last eight to ten years before fading.
Looking young doesn’t have to involve great risks. Several procedures can give you your youthful looks back without having to go under the knife or take general anesthesia. Find the right procedure for you and start looking and feeling young.