LEVANTE LIFESTYLE

SURGICAL V NON-SURGICAL

By Lynda Gibson, Cosmetic Coordinator

Over the years I have had many patients coming to me for treatments who are not quite sure what category their treatments fit into. I have certainly heard people say they have had cosmetic surgery when in fact they have had an aesthetic treatment.

Here I aim to give a description of what constitutes surgery, non-surgery or aesthetic treatments.

Body and face treatments run along a continuum. At one end we have the cosmetic beauty treatments, followed by cosmetic aesthetic treatments, followed by cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic beauty treatments include facials and body treatments, such as wraps, masks and massage. Electrical machines are also sometimes used, and this includes microdermabrasion or face lifting such as CACI. Some beauty salons also offer quasi holistic treatments, such as Hopi ear candling, aromatherapy, reflexology and Indian head. These are often written about by people who are experts in this field for further information on this section.

There are some treatments that almost fall between the recognized categories, but I like to consider them as aesthetic treatments. These include Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), which can be used for a variety of things, including semi-permanent hair removal, facial regeneration and treatment of pigmentation or rosacea.

Skin peels are very varied and can be carried out by a beauty therapist in some cases, but in other cases need to be carried out by a nurse or doctor. This usually depends on the strength and depth of the peel. Semi-permanent tattooing is another treatment that I like to consider as aesthetic.
I classify these as aesthetic treatments because they do not fall into the basic training of a beauty therapist, and are either taken as an add-on or as a separate skill and qualification. Another reason is that some of these treatments do not have to be undertaken by a beauty therapist. Semi-permanent make-up for example does not require the practitioner to be a beauty therapist; it has a different training and validating body.

This is often confusing for clients, and following on from my previous theme of asking what your professional is trained in, then you might like to ascertain for yourself who you are seeing and what their professional qualifications are.

Other aesthetic treatments fall into the category of injectables. These would include Botulinum A toxin for treatment of lines and wrinkles. Botulinum has not always had a very good press, but it must be remembered that a cosmetic dose of this is very small compared to a therapeutic or medical dose. Botulinum A has many uses in medicine, including ophthalmology treatments of eye conditions) and dermatology, when it is used for excessive perspiration or hyperhydrosis. Cosmetic doses are carefully administered, and patients receiving treatment have a medical interview and should be fully informed about all the facts before receiving treatment. Again, never agree to treatment unless your practitioner takes a medical history, takes your pre-treatment photograph, gives you written information about the product and its possible actions, and asks you to sign an informed consent form.

Injectable fillers are aesthetic treatments. There are literally dozens of injectable fillers to treat lines and wrinkles, ranging from permanent to semi-permanent to non-permanent. They vary in makeup from collagen to hyularonic acid to lactic acid to polyacrylamide, and many other things in between.
Again it is important that to receive a full consultation and written information before agreeing to treatment. Signing an informed consent form means you have been given the facts and you agree to treatment which can never be guaranteed. If you should have an untoward reaction, remember that providing your practitioner has followed the recommended protocols then they have not been negligent, but that your body has reacted in a particular unexpected way. You must recognize this fact and be very diligent about asking as many questions as you need to.

Micro Sclerotherapy is another injectable treatment, but in this case it is for the treatment of small spider veins. The product that is injected is purely for cosmetic purposes and will not treat varicose veins or other deep unsightly vessels.

Cosmetic Surgery includes a whole range of operations, including face lift, eye bag removal, breast implants, breast reduction, tummy tuck, liposuction and laser resurfacing, to name but a few.
In the next issue I will track a typical cosmetic surgery patient undergoing an eye bag removal, or blepheroplasty. I have chosen this as it is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery operation.
I will be looking at the patient process and what actually happens before during and after the operation. In other words, what you can expect if you should decide to make a cosmetic surgery journey.

As an aside, it has been noticeable that over the past three years I have had an increasing number of patients asking their family for help towards the cost of cosmetic procedures for their Christmas and birthday presents, so if you are not sure what to get your loved one for the Festive Season this might give you an idea. However do be careful as it might not come over in quite the right way if you suggest helping your partner to pay for a facelift!