Maybe not for the likes of the baby boomer generation. A perfect example is 2016 presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton. A year ago she looked, well, old. She vanished from public view for months only to emerge looking much younger. Unfortunately for her, it doesn’t take a detective to realize that the time away from the spotlight was most likely a recovery from extensive plastic surgery. But, we’ll give Mrs. Clinton a pass since she is running for the highest office in the land. You’ve gotta look good!
The face-lift might still be popular with some generations but there is a growing shift away from the invasive option of a facelift to maintain a youthful appearance. The reasons are numerous.
Every generation evolves from the one that preceded it. Generation X and Millennials have a different outlook when it comes to beauty and how they choose to maintain it. Opting for a less invasive, more natural approach to enhance their looks. So, it’s no surprise that as the number of face-lifts wane the number of alternative treatments increases each year.
Technology plays a major role in the shift away from surgery. Technology continues to advance expanding what can be done without the scalpel. Advances in ultrasound, laser technology, radio frequency and micro-current are prime examples. “It started in the late 1990’s,” explains Matthew Pruitt, Owner of Skin Bar NYC, a New York City spa. “At that time I worked for Allergan pharmaceuticals, the maker of Botox. When that product came out for the treatment of wrinkles on the forehead it was a blockbuster. People couldn’t imagine erasing their wrinkles with the stroke of a syringe. Previously, it required surgery under general anesthesia. Then cutting and pulling the skin and stitching it back together.”
Today Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments done anywhere. But, I’m sure you already know everything there is to know about Botox. Let’s review some technology on the leading edge of today’s options.
Radio Frequency. The basic principle of most technology that lifts and tightens the skin is to replace elasticity and fullness to the area being treated. The way it is achieved is what differs from one technology to another. Radio Frequency has the ability to target a specified depth of tissue to more specifically treat a targeted area. Over a period of months following treatment there is an increase of elasticity and collagen resulting in lifting and tightening. The results can last for several years.
Ultrasound. The use of ultrasound is not new. “I was a surgical consultant for Allergan pharmaceuticals when I was first introduced to ultrasound technology. It was the preferred method for cataract surgery”, Says Pruitt. Today, ultrasound has made the leap from surgical room to spa. Ultrasound is used to increase the penetration of products deep into the dermis. This has many applications. Ultrasound is used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists all over New York City to help speed up healing and reduce scarring post-operatively. The modality is quite simple, tiny sound waves emit from the device allowing a channel for deeper penetration. “We use it at Skin Bar for deep penetration of products to improve hydration, stimulate collagen production and speed healing after laser treatments’, explains Pruitt.
Laser Technology. Lasers started the technological revolution in cosmetic treatments that continues today. Over the years the use of laser has expanded to include laser hair removal, skin tightening and the treatment of vascular lesions. Lasers effectiveness in the permanent reduction of unwanted hair is well documented, but laser is also extremely effective at tightening the skin. Just like radio frequency, laser works to stimulate the production of collagen. Which in turn tightens the skin. “At Skin Bar we do something no other spa does. We combine micro current treatments that lift and strengthen the muscles in the face and laser to tighten the skin and add fullness. It’s a true one-two punch for anti aging”, says Pruitt. Laser skin tightening requires a series of 6-8 treatments. Maintenance treatments are recommended
Micro current. A red carpet treatment no longer reserved for just celebrities. The face has 32 different muscles and like everything that ages they weaken over time. Micro current mimics the low current electrical waves of our body to stimulate and strengthen the muscles in the face. Results are immediate and cumulative.
Only time will tell if the face-lift is a thing of the past, but with today’s technological advances the glory days of the face-lift may be numbered.