Common Non-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures: How They Work and How Long They Last

There are now some great non-invasive procedures available these days, providing long-lasting results with minimally discomfort or downtime. Below are a few of my favorites:

1. FOR THE FACE: My favorite by far, is the Picosure laser. This laser is a true game changer. It is not super well known, because it is a very expensive laser for the doctor to purchase and therefore is not in a lot of physician offices. You are not likely to find this in a medispa either.What makes this Picosure Laser so special is that because it fires 1,000 faster than other lasers, it can do a facial resurfacing with NO DOWNTIME. This means that you can significantly improve the irregular coloration in your face, neck, chest and hands, with just 3 treatments, spaced a month apart. And again, with absolutely no downtime. .Also, because the Picosure fires so quickly, there is little inflammation – meaning it can be used in skin types 1-4 with little risk of hyper-pigmentation. It will also stimulate your own collagen and elastic production, which will help diminish fine lines and wrinkles.How long do results last? This will vary from person to person. The most important thing is to use a good sun block (which we offer in the office) and good skin care after your treatment (also offered in our office). Good skin care that is pharmaceutical grade and can only be found in a doctor’s office, will continue with minor exfoliation and collagen stimulation. It can last a year or several years, depending on your genetics and how well you care for your skin.
2. FOR THE BODY: Sculpsure is the most popular (and its competitor Coolsculpt) for spot reductions of fat in a completely non-invasive way.  Both of these techniques will destroy fat cells (Sculpsure through heat and Coolsculpt from freezing, which I feel has more complications) and these fat cells are permanently destroyed. They will not come back. However, it is important to work on better dieting and exercising to decrease your overall body fat. If, on the other hand, you eat poorly and put on fat, those remaining fat cells will expand in size and you will look larger. Thus, the total number of fat cells is reduced forever, however, there is no “free lunch” and you still have to look after yourself.
3. LASER TATTOO REMOVAL: The Picosure laser is the very best tattoo removal laser that exists. It fires 1,000 faster than other lasers to vibrate away the tattoo pigment. You will need half the number of treatments with the Picosure laser than you will need with other lasers. I have seen pure black tattoos disappear after only 3 treatments. This laser rarely causes ghosting. It is also the only laser that removes blue pigments.
4. LASER HAIR REMOVAL: With our Cynosure Elite laser, hair removal is permanent, unlike the less expensive lasers frequently found in medispas. However, when your hormone environment changes such as with pregnancy or menopause, you can get stimulation of dormant hair follicles. Most people will need 5-9 treatments to eliminate most or all of their hair. It should be noted that no laser treatments will work on white or blond hair or very fair hair.