Cuts like a knife
You really can’t get through the day without being bombarded by a plethora of beauty and slimming treatments, lotions, and potions. They’re on TV, in the newspapers, on magazines and looking down on you from billboards. With so many options, how do you choose which is good for you? Do you slice off or swipe on?
A slice of life
“Surgical procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation and facelifts offer more dramatic and longer-lasting results,” shares Dr. John Cenica (www.jancencosmetic-surgery.com, tel. 521-1444). “Take, for instance, liposuction. During a surgical procedure fat cells are actually removed from the problem area. This results in a very noticeable and long-lasting slimming effect.” A factor to consider in the case of fat reduction is actually how much fat needs to be removed. If it’s a significant amount of fat, surgery is the best option as creams and radio-frequency treatments can only remove a small amount. What about non-surgical nose-lifts? Do they work? “I personally don’t know of any doctor locally who does this procedure,” says Dr. Cenica. This involves injecting a filler to the bridge area to make it look higher. Some unlicensed beauty practitioners even resort to using mineral oil or paraffin to add height to the nose area. This eventually leads to the filler spreading out and the nose bridge going back to its original state. “This is a very temporary fix, and not yet well-researched in terms of long-term effects. I think a surgical nose life is still better,” shares Dr. Cenica. For bigger breasts, the best option is still breast augmentation. Other alternative methods won’t offer the same dramatic results. Going under the knife, of course, exposes you to more risks, like an allergic reaction to the anesthetic, longer recovery time, open wounds, nerve damage, etc. but results are usually more dramatic after surgery. In terms of cost, “Non-surgical procedures need to be done repeatedly for effects to be obvious and for them to stay. Add that up and costs are almost the same as with surgical procedures.”
Magic wands
How about high-tech lasers and machines? Do they work? “Before turning to surgery, why not give some of the non- surgical treatments options a try? If you don’t like the results, you can still consider a surgical solution. We think that once you try the non-surgical treatments, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your results,” shares Mikaela Bilbao of Philosophy by Mikaela Advanced Aesthetic Center (892-1574). Even though services are non-surgical, Mikaela assures that all treatments are supported by medical studies and done by board-certified medical, plastic, and reconstructive surgeons and dermatologists. Their Multipollar Non-Surgical Face-Lift tightens skin through the use of the most advanced breakthrough in modern scientific technology in the field of Radiofrequency Technology. This delivers tighter skin, smoothes out wrinkles and defines the face’s natural contours after a single treatment. This non-surgical procedure is fast, easy and requires no downtime from normal activities. So you don’t need to take a suspiciously long vacay from work and come back looking miraculously different. Another non-invasive procedure they offer is Fractional Regeneration, a cutting-edge fractional resurfacing that is among the safest and most reliable in the world, while their advanced UltraSlim Non-Surgical Fat Removal guarantees inch loss and weight loss using the most advanced non-surgical technologies today. Dr. Yanee Vasquez-Santos of Aesthetic Science Clinic (www.aesthetic scienceclinic.com, tel. 809-8021) also shares that the latest machines can also make it easier to get non-surgical procedures done. Their Emax Workstation is an all-in-one dermatological equipment that can do wrinkle reduction, skin tightening, hair removal, acne treatment and even help reduce leg veins! As with most non-invasive treatments, several sessions are usually needed for results to be more evident and last longer.
Dream creams and potions
How about creams that promise firmer skin, larger breasts, a smaller waist, and disappearing varicose veins? Doctors agree that more often than not, the effects are psychological, or at the most, temporary. You really can’t expect to go from an A cup to a C cup by just wiping on a cream, right? While I have had good results with skin-firming lotions during my pregnancy and after giving birth, results are not always so obvious with everyone who decides to try them. “Creams and lotions are superficial solutions. They do not offer the same dramatic results as surgery or non-invasive procedures,” shares Dr. Cenica. Creams and lotions also usually need to be put on at least twice day, every day, for at least two weeks for results to be obvious. Being pregnant, I really couldn’t do anything too dramatic so creams really helped me at a time when I was restricted from doing anything too invasive. For those who have some health problems that might complicate surgery and the patience to stick to a beauty routine, creams and special solutions can be a good first option but don’t expect instant and long-lasting results.
In the case, however, of bulging and spider veins, these are best treated first with a non-surgical procedure called sclerotherapy which involves injecting the affected veins with a special solution. “Results are instant. Surgery for varicose veins is only reserved for very serious cases while creams that claim to help reduce varicose veins do not really cure the problem,” says Dr. Cenica.
Happy ending
In the end, everything has advantages and disadvantages. Consider what you want to be changed, your medical history, your expected results, your budget, and your lifestyle. Every one of these procedures can offer both good and bad results — it’s a matter of finding what’s best for you. Before going under any procedure, make sure that the one treating you is credible and board-certified. Be honest about your medical history and your concerns. Even with non-surgical treatments, always be careful.
