Cosmetic dermatology procedures are some of the most popular medical procedures performed in the United States, and most are office-based, providing the opportunity for easy, same-day treatment. Here, we take a look at the top three most-performed categories of dermatologic procedures in the United States and why they’re so popular.
- Light-Based Therapies
Slightly more than four million laser- or light-based procedures were performed in the United States in 2019. Procedures such as LED light therapy comprise this category. Its relatively low cost paired with its high degree of effectiveness make it an easy choice for many people seeking wrinkle reduction and firmer skin.
Omnilux LED light therapy treats skin with different wavelengths of LED light. The therapy uses red, blue, and infrared LED wavelengths to promote collagen production for firmer skin and less noticeable wrinkles. Omnilux also stimulates cell growth while destroying bacteria and decreasing inflammation.
Clinical studies of Omnilux show that the treatment achieves a 75% improvement in skin smoothness and a substantial reduction in wrinkles. Patients reported overall skin texture improvement and brighter skin with reduced discoloration.
Omnilux light therapy also pairs well with other popular cosmetic treatments, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, to enhance results and prolong effectiveness. An Omnilux phototherapy session is painless and efficient, lasting about 20 minutes; patients can return to their daily activities immediately following.
- Wrinkle-Relaxing Injectables
Botox® Cosmetic and other muscle-relaxing injectables were the second-most popular category of cosmetic dermatology procedures in the U.S. in 2019, including the Detroit area. Wrinkle-relaxing treatments eliminate wrinkles and lines between the eyebrows and across the forehead, as well as treating wrinkles around the eyes, commonly known as crow’s feet.
Using purified, safe neurotoxins, wrinkle-relaxing injectables work by blocking the muscle contractions under the skin that create wrinkles. They’re efficient at quickly treating signs of aging and provide long-lasting results.
Skin care doctors in Grosse Pointe can administer wrinkle-relaxing injectables during a quick office procedure, and patients can return to work or other activities immediately afterward. Results typically last up to four months, although some patients have reported results that last up to a year. The pain involved with wrinkle-relaxing injectable treatments is minimal.
Botox and other wrinkle-relaxing injectables administered in Detroit can also help keep new wrinkles from forming by allowing muscles in treated areas to stay relaxed.
- Body Sculpting
The third most-performed cosmetic dermatology procedures in 2019 were non-invasive body sculpting treatments. These procedures are popular because they allow the elimination of body fat in a relatively short amount of time while remaining affordable and accessible.
- CoolSculpting® Body Contouring
Treatments such as CoolSculpting Body Contouring are non-invasive fat-freezing procedures that eliminate fat in certain treated areas of the body. The medical term for this procedure is “cryolipolysis,” a cooling of fat to a temperature that freezes it while leaving skin and other surrounding tissue unharmed. Following treatment, the frozen fat cells begin to shrink during a process called “apoptosis.” Within a few short weeks, these dead fat cells are naturally broken down in the body and then flushed out through the liver.
CoolSculpting is approved for eliminating fat in the thigh, abdomen, back, buttocks, sides, and upper arm areas, as well as under the chin and along the bra line. The treatment is typically performed at a cosmetic dermatology office in Sterling Heights and usually takes 35 minutes to two hours, depending on the areas treated.
CoolSculpting is non-surgical, does not require anesthesia, does not use needles, involves no incisions, and does not cause scarring. There is no recovery time associated with CoolSculpting; patients can return to their daily activities immediately after treatment.
Fat cells frozen by CoolSculpting are eliminated by the body, creating a sculpted look. The treatment begins to produce these results in just a few weeks, with most people seeing maximum improvement about three months after the procedure. Additional treatments produce even more pronounced results, with many patients opting for a second treatment three to four months after the first.
- EMsculpt®
EMsculpt is another non-surgical procedure that eliminates fat and sculpts body contours. Using focused, high-intensity electromagnetic energy, it both creates muscle definition and eliminates unwanted fat deposits. EMsculpt’s technology strengthens and tones the midsection, glutes, thighs, triceps, biceps, and calves. The treatment’s proven results make it highly effective for achieving muscle-building and weight loss goals. EMsculpt treatment is quick and effective, taking only a small portion of the time that it would take to build muscle and burn fat at the gym.
EMsculpt uses electromagnetic pulses to target certain areas, triggering muscle contractions that are much more intense than those achieved during a gym workout. EMsculpt’s muscle contractions are amplified, producing faster results than a normal workout could achieve. Each treatment typically induces 20,000 muscle contractions in about 30 minutes, comparable to performing 20,000 crunches or squats. Each muscle contraction burns up fat stores as the treated muscles use calories to contract.
Typically, EMsculpt treatments produce some mild muscle soreness, and occasionally, patients may feel as though they just completed a difficult workout. There is no required downtime after treatment, and most patients can resume regular activity immediately afterward.
EMsculpt can also reduce the abdominal muscle separation sometimes seen as a result of pregnancy. EMsculpt is the only non-surgical treatment that has been shown to improve abdominal muscle separation.
Generally, patients schedule four treatments over two weeks with a Sterling Heights cosmetic dermatology practice. Each treatment is spaced two to three days apart, and all treatments are non-invasive. Just four EMsculpt treatments increase muscle mass by about 16% in treated areas and reduce fat in these areas by about 19%. Some patients elect to schedule a follow-up session six months after the first treatment to help maintain these results.
Skin care doctors in Grosse Pointe can evaluate those interested in EMsculpt to see whether the treatment is right for them.
With so many popular anti-aging treatments to choose from, it’s no wonder that skin rejuvenation and body sculpting treatments are on the rise. Cosmetic dermatology professionals in Sterling Heights can schedule these anti-aging procedures, discuss treatment goals, and formulate a treatment plan that’s right for each patient.