What Procedures Does Cosmetic Dermatology Include?
Going to the dermatologist isn't necessarily about treating illness.
Many people go to look a bit better. Forehead lines are too deep, nasolabial folds are too obvious, face has spots, pores are large. Dermatologists handle all these problems.
Botox & Neurotoxins
The word Botox is everywhere now. Hearing someone at a party say "I'm getting Botox next week" is about the same as saying "I'm getting a haircut next week." Actually, botulinum toxin isn't just the Botox brand — Dysport and Jeuveau are too. Same principle: temporarily paralyze the muscle, and the wrinkles smooth out. Forehead lines, that vertical line between the eyebrows, crow's feet around the eyes — these are treated most often. Effects last three to four months. Then you need more injections.
A friend started getting injections at twenty-seven. Said it's prevention. The wrinkles haven't appeared yet, but she's suppressing them in advance. This kind of thinking is quite popular now.
Fillers Are a Different Thing
Hyaluronic acid is injected into the face — wherever it's hollow, that's where it goes. People with deep nasolabial folds love this. People with hollow temples get it too. People with thin lips use this for lip augmentation. Unlike botulinum toxin, fillers inject something in, while botulinum toxin stops muscles from moving. Two different things.
Juvederm and Restylane are common brands. Price depends on how much you get. One syringe is several hundred dollars, and some people get multiple syringes at once.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels sound scary, but it's really just applying acid to your face.
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid. Different concentrations, different effects. Low concentration is called superficial peel — apply it and your face feels a bit tingly, after a few days you shed a layer of skin, done. High concentration is called deep peel — your face will be red, swollen, and peeling for a long time, most people can't handle it.
Superficial ones are cheap, a hundred to two hundred dollars per session. Deep ones are expensive, can reach two to three thousand. But deep ones you only need once in a lifetime; superficial ones need to be repeated.
Microdermabrasion Is Gentle
Uses fine particles to scrub away dead skin from your face. Doesn't hurt, face feels smooth after. Not useful for deep issues, just makes the skin look brighter. Seventy to eighty dollars up to two hundred per session, prices vary quite a bit between cities.
Laser Is Expensive
Eight hundred to three thousand dollars per session, depending on what machine is used. Removing spots, removing acne scars, shrinking pores, hair removal — there are many types of lasers. Face will be red after, need to avoid the sun for a few days. Some people have sensitive skin and laser can leave marks. People with darker skin tones need to be careful with laser, problems can easily occur.
Laser hair removal is a bit cheaper. Underarms, legs, bikini line — women do it more. Now men are starting to do it too.
There's Also Something Called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Different from laser, it uses intense pulsed light. Redness, small spots, enlarged pores — this can handle them. Recovery is faster than laser. Many medical aesthetic clinics promote this as an entry-level treatment.
Insurance Doesn't Cover These Procedures
Unless it's medically necessary, like having a precancerous lesion on the skin that needs to be lasered off. Purely for looking better? All out of pocket. Some clinics offer payment plans, which reduces the pressure.
Medical spas doing these procedures are becoming more and more common. Prices are cheaper than dermatology clinics, but the qualifications of the people doing them vary widely. Botulinum toxin and superficial peels are generally fine, but risky procedures like laser — better to find a proper dermatologist.
A New Problem After Weight Loss Drugs Became Popular
Face loses fat too quickly, apple cheeks collapse, nasolabial folds deepen. It's called "Ozempic face." Originally wanted to lose weight to look better, but the face collapsed first. More people are coming in for fillers now. Some people get fat transfers, taking fat from the stomach and injecting it into the face.
Talk Clearly with Your Doctor Before Doing Anything
What problem you want to improve, how long a recovery period you can accept, what your budget is. Some people think one injection will make them look ten years younger — the doctor needs to give you a reality check. Expectations that are too high lead to disappointment.