Davis

The demand for preventative, minimally-invasive procedures—particularly among millennials—has never been higher, according to the recently released annual survey from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).

The survey looked at both surgical and minimally-invasive procedures, both of which experienced a significant increase compared to 2018. According to the results, the total number of facial plastic surgery procedures increased by 6% between 2018 and 2019. The year’s most widely performed procedures included rhinoplasty, facelifts, and blepharoplasty (surgery to correct drooping eyelids).

The upward trend was even more prominent among nonsurgical procedures, which increased by 13% over 2018. In fact, minimally-invasive procedures represented 85% of all the procedures performed by those surveyed.

The three most popular minimally-invasive procedures, in order from most to least, were neurotoxins (Botox, Jeuveau), fillers, and skin treatments (lasers and facials). While Botox has been the most popular procedure among patients ages 35 to 55 since 2013, skin treatments experienced the largest growth, with a 39% increase over 2018.

Our fascination with celebrities deepens

It’s been widely reported that our selfie obsession is having a direct and noticeable impact on cosmetic surgery trends, and the AAFPRS survey continued to reinforce that idea. Among those surveyed, 72% reported seeing patients who sought cosmetic procedures in order to “look better for selfies.”

Though, celebrities proved to be an even greater influence, with 84% of those surveyed agreeing that celebrities have a “moderate-to-great” influence on facial plastic surgery trends, a 6% increase over 2018. Cited as the most influential of them all: Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West, Brad Pitt, and Bradley Cooper.

It wasn’t included in the survey, but there’s also something to be said about the cross-section between social media and celebrities. “Social media gives us intimate access to people that we otherwise would not have any contact with,” Mary Lynn Moran, MD, president of the AAFPRS, told Allure magazine. “Increasingly, people are willing to share what procedures they have done to look the way they do, which destigmatizes the subject. As we study what subtle and more dramatic changes can do to improve someone’s appearance, we become more educated about what we are drawn to and are more likely to elect to make changes in our own appearance.”

‘Prejuvenation’ is the future

When asked to predict future trends, survey respondents overwhelmingly (73%) cited preventative treatments among millennials, or “prejuvenation,” as they’ve been dubbed. The idea behind the concept is that having minimally-invasive treatments at a younger age will help stave off the need for surgical interventions later in life.

How conscious are you of your jawline? Probably far more than you’d like to be. Whether you choose to stick your chin out or press your tongue against the roof of your mouth in photos and, as often as you can, in person, you’re constantly accommodating. And you’re not alone. Just about all of us do it, to varying degrees.

Our skin begins to thin in our 20s. Around age 50, we start losing bone, fat, and muscle in our jaws, which can have the effect of making the jowls look looser and much more prominent. For a long time, the only procedure that could do anything about them was a facelift. But now there are a number of noninvasive ways to get the capital-V jawline we covet.

Filler

Believe it or not, a stiff filler—yes, fillers have different consistencies—like Radiesse or Restylane, can compensate for a shrinking jawbone. Injections in the jaw under the chin and ears can add structure where the mandible bone has shrunk. If further support is needed, injections can be placed all along the jawline, which should be sufficient to lift and smooth the entire jaw for someone with mild to moderate sagging.

Kybella

Sun damage and genetics are two of the main causes of aging skin. On top of that, gravity is constantly working against your jaw (and breasts). A pocket of fat under your chin, AKA a double chin, only compounds matters. We can’t undo gravity, but there’s a simple solution for the double chin. Kybella is an injectable, synthetic form of a fat dissolver that exists naturally in your body called deoxycholic acid.

Essentially, Kybella breaks down fat cells so they can be flushed out of the body by your circulatory and lymphatic systems. It’ll not only get rid of your double chin, it’ll also tighten tissue around the injection site, which could help stave off sagging over the long term.

Radiofrequency

Different kinds of noninvasive radiofrequency treatments, like Thermage, heat up deep layers of the skin, which causes controlled damage that stimulates new collagen and ultimately firms the skin. Many who use it for tightening aging tissue along the jaw do so in combination with fillers to achieve a capital-v jawline.

Botulinum toxin type A

If you’re more concerned about a square jaw than sagging jowls, injecting a botulinum toxin type A, like Botox or Jeuveau, into the muscles at the edge of your jaw will relax the muscle, narrow the lower half of your face by a couple millimeters, and smooth the jaw. It’s proven to be an especially effective treatment for teeth grinders, whose jaw muscles can bulk up over time. As a secondary benefit in that instance, relaxing the muscles also usually relieves the chronic headaches caused by grinding.

Botulinum toxin type A—better known by its brand names, Botox, Jeuveau, Dysport, and Xeomin—is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the United States. But, as much as it continues to find new audiences (the number of procedures performed grew 845% between 2000 and 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons) and new uses, including the treatment of migraines and hyperhidrosis, there remains some trepidation (and a little confusion) among those still wondering, “Is it right for me?” So, here, I’ll answer the questions about Botox that are difficult to Google—and sometimes even harder to ask in person.

Will Botox make my face look frozen?

It’s a concern that comes up more often than you may think. Botox is designed to soften or temporarily erase horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines, and crow’s feet—essentially, the creases that form from squinting, frowning, and smiling as the skin begins to lose its natural elasticity.

Yes, it does paralyze the muscles responsible for those expressions, but it will not affect the nerves that cause sensation. So, you shouldn’t feel any numbness. Nor should your face look like it’s frozen. I know there’s no shortage of images online of women and men who obviously look frozen following treatment, but that’s the result of poor technique, not the Botox itself. Which is why it’s important to be treated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who can accurately gauge the size of your muscles and how much Botox you’ll need.

Does it hurt?

Like most injections, you’ll likely feel a short-lived pinch, especially between the eyebrows. Some doctors apply numbing cream 10 minutes before the procedure or ice the area to numb it. Either is usually enough to minimize any sensation during the injection.

What can I expect the day after my procedure?

Generally, not much of anything. Everyone’s a little different, but, for the most part, you should experience little to no discomfort, and there’s no downtime. Results will usually begin to show within four to five days after the procedure. After that point, they’ll continue to develop gradually over the course of the next two weeks. If you’re planning to get Botox before a big event, schedule your procedure about two weeks ahead of time.

Will my friends and coworkers know I got Botox?

Possibly. Once you see the full effects of your results, you’re going to look undeniably fresher and perhaps younger. As long as you’re happy with the results, you’re probably going to find that it won’t matter to you as much as you think it will if your friends, family, and coworkers can tell. Much of the stigma that once surrounded Botox has fallen away, which is one of the biggest reasons for its surge in popularity. Every day, men and women are turning back the hands of time, and they don’t care who knows it.

With warmer weather on the horizon, many of us are weighing the same concern: Where exactly do you draw the line between normal and excessive sweating? And, is it safe to get sweat-halting Botox injections before a big occasion, like your wedding? As it turns out, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is more common than you think.

Unpacking hyperhidrosis

There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary. Primary is the more common of the two. It’s a result of overactive signaling from the sweat glands to secrete sweat. In other words, your body starts sweating without any clear reason. Primary hyperhidrosis can occur at any time and during any point in the year. You don’t necessarily need to feel warm. You can even be asleep when it happens.

Most commonly, it’s seen in the underarms, palms, and soles of the feet, though it can happen pretty much anywhere on the body, including the face.

Secondary hyperhidrosis, by contrast, is excessive sweating that’s brought on by an external factor, like medication or a physical condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid issue. With both types, there are also different degrees of hyperhidrosis: mild, moderate, and severe. Sweating through your shirt without doing much of anything on a temperate day would usually be classified as moderate hyperhidrosis. Severe is something along the lines of pouring sweat from your hands and feet when you’re at rest without any triggers.

When to be concerned

Now that we have a clear idea of how excessive sweating is defined, let’s get back to our original question: When is it time to start worrying about your sweat levels?

There’s an aspect of hyperhidrosis I neglected to mention before: It’s a relative disorder. Basically, how you perceive your sweating is very personal. What might be excessive to you is normal to somebody else. So, hyperhidrosis is harder to define than it first appears.

Generally, though, if it’s something you’re thinking about and it’s caused you some level of embarrassment, it’s worth mentioning it to your doctor. There’s no such thing as an overreaction here.

Does Botox really help?

Botox—yes, the same injectable that could help fend off wrinkles between your brow—is the longest-lasting nonsurgical treatment for hyperhidrosis. It’s most effective in the underarm area, where it can work for up to 14 months.

Botox works by paralyzing the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands, but only in the specific area where it’s injected. You’ll receive several injections with a fine needle that’ll form a sort of grid pattern around the area of concern. It’s a relatively simple procedure that can be done during an office visit. And you’ll be able to resume your day as soon as it’s done.

While sweating does help eliminate waste from the body, it’s safe to get Botox in your underarms (or elsewhere) before a big event, or even to continue the treatment indefinitely. It’s important, though, to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon who can rule out any underlying medical causes.