Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

When you hear the word facelift, your mind probably registers a pretty specific image: An older man or woman whose face and neck skin seems disproportionately tight compared to the skin on their arms or legs.

We have Madonna to thank for that. And Kathy Griffin. And Cher.

But we’ve come a long way since the days of the one-size-fits-all procedure that yielded those sorts of results. The facelift, up until only a few years ago, was a pretty straightforward procedure. A flap of skin on each side of the face was pulled back, the tissue below the skin was altered, and the excess skin was removed.

Clinically, it was a sound remedy for the loss of skin elasticity and decrease in fat deposits that inevitably accompany aging at a certain point. But very few plastic surgeons were capable of many deviations. Skip ahead to today: The traditional facelift is now merely one of many ways to achieve a more youthful-looking face. What’s changed? Read on.

Less is more

For starters, we’re living in what’s been described as the age of the “tweak-ment.” Gone are the days of the exaggerated breast enhancements, overfilled lips, and unrealistic facelifts. Patients, more and more, want to keep their family traits and look like themselves—but with a few refined tweaks.

Ten years ago, a patient was likely to come in for their consultation clutching a magazine cover featuring their favorite supermodel. That’s who they wanted to look like. Now, more are interested in looking like themselves, but the version of themselves that appears through their preferred Instagram filter.

That interest has given rise to more precise variations of a number of cosmetic procedures, including the facelift. There’s the mini-facelift, which targets the earliest signs of aging, and the mid-facelift, which focuses on the cheeks, among other types of facelifts.

Injectables, lasers, and skin resurfacing are also more accessible than they’ve ever been. They can be quick, lunchtime procedures that yield immediate but subtle effects with limited downtime, qualities that contribute to their convenience as well as their confidentiality.

There’s more to it than technique

For all the scientific advances, the expertise of the plastic surgeon remains the greatest factor in producing a result that aligns with what the patient has in mind. Yes, it’s a matter of technique and tools, but to an even greater extent, it’s also about the surgeon’s artistry.

Difficult as a plastic surgeon’s training is, it’s at least something that can be honed with practice. The same can’t really be said for his creativity. If he discovered an ability to express himself through one medium or another early on, he’s as likely to nurture it as anyone. But if he didn’t, he’s just as inclined to abandon it.

A technically-proficient surgeon can correct the concern. But only an artful one will truly enhance the face’s inherent structure and traits.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hot outside. Like, get-me-to-the-nearest-body-of-water hot.

Understandably, this can be a difficult time of year if you’re even the slightest bit insecure about exposing your midsection. There are a number of ways to address that concern through modern cosmetic surgery, liposuction and a tummy tuck being two of the most popular.

But the summer’s here now, and while each may yield dramatic results, it could take a month or two for the swelling to fully subside in either case. And it may take even longer before you’re basking in the full effect of your treatment.

Is there something, then, that can have you looking better in a bikini or swim trunks with some summer left to spare? Yes: CoolSculpting.

A smaller midsection in a couple of weeks

How, exactly, is a CoolSculpting treatment different from lipo and a tummy tuck? For starters, it’s a noninvasive treatment, meaning there’s no scarring whatsoever to be concerned with. It can treat unwanted fat just about anywhere on the body, but it’s FDA-approved for the midsection, thighs, upper arms, bra fat, back fat, the “banana roll” underneath your butt, and double chin.

Here’s how it works: An applicator that looks like a big vacuum hose applies suction to the area you want to target. (Key to the process is having enough fat for the applicator to adhere to. If you can pinch your bulge, you’re a candidate.) It then applies carefully regulated cooling plates to bring fat cells down to a temperature at which they’re irreversibly damaged.

The frozen fat cells then die and are gradually eliminated by the body. It could take three months for the final effects to become apparent, but you should start noticing a difference in as little as a couple of weeks.

Virtually no discomfort or downtime

A CoolSculpting treatment generally takes between a half-hour and an hour. And it’s relatively gentle. You may feel some initial discomfort as the cooling begins, but it dissipates pretty quickly. Which leaves you free to check email, scroll through Instagram, or even sit back, close your eyes, and appreciate the solitude.

If that sounds too good to be true, I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet: There’s no downtime with a CoolSculpting treatment, so you can head into the office when your treatment’s done, run some errands, or hit the gym.

There’s really no downside here—especially when you consider that CoolSculpting may finally help you achieve that beach body that diet and exercise alone couldn’t deliver. And before the end of the summer, no less.

Over the weeks following your treatment, you can expect up to a 25 percent reduction of fat in the treated area. And those results are permanent. Once fat cells are frozen and eliminated, they’re gone for good.

Hello, bikini. So long, unflattering one-piece. And guys, you can leave those oversize T-shirts in your closet. They were never fooling anyone anyway.