We all want to look younger and well rested. With injectables and skin treatments, plastic surgeons help patients regain their youthful appearance without having to undergoing surgery. Non-invasive cosmetic procedures appeal to those patients who want to improve their appearance without the risk of complications or recovery time needed with more invasive plastic surgery treatments.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the number of non-surgical procedures performed by plastic surgeons has increased by 228% since 1997. It is one of the fastest growing areas of plastic surgery. Non-invasive procedures target the problematic areas of the face and body that may make you look old and tired. While the results are often temporary, these procedures are very effective in the short term.

There are many reasons that patients may opt for non-invasive alternatives rather than surgery. First of all, most of these treatments are very affordable. While surgery may be out of your budget, injectables or surface treatments are relatively inexpensive. Secondly, there is little to no downtime needed for recovery. Those of us with jobs know how difficult it can be to get time off of work. Most of these procedures are done in very little time at the office and patients are able to immediately return to their normal routine. There are very few complications associated with this type of cosmetic procedure as compared to surgery.

The two main types of non-invasive procedures include injectables and surface treatments. Typically, injectables are used to plump up the face in an effort to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Surface treatments, which include laser treatments and chemical peels, target wrinkle reduction.

The ASAPS identifies Botox Cosmetic as the most popular non-invasive treatment choice for patients ages 35-50. It is a natural, purified protein that is injected into the brow area where facial lines and wrinkles exist. Plastic surgeons use it to smooth the deep, persistent lines between your brows that develop over time. With only a few tiny injections, the facial muscles that cause those lines to form will relax for up to 4 months. The results are dramatic and apparent within days. The best part is, patients are able to return to normal activity almost immediately after receiving the injections.

Facial fillers are used to plump the skin and replace volume that is lost due to the natural process of aging. These injectables smooth wrinkles and restore the youthful contour of your face. Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® are two of the most common fillers used today.

Laser treatments are another popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure that helps to reduce the signs of aging. Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that smoothens the facial skin and in some cases, can improve the firmness of skin. Using a specialized laser, the plastic surgeon is able to refinish damaged areas and shrink fine wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth. Areas of uneven pigmentation can also be corrected. The laser is able to remove skin very precisely.

A chemical peel evens out skin tone affected by age, sun damage, or acne. This procedure creates younger, smoother skin by using a chemical solution to remove the damaged outer layers of your skin. It can improve the look of wrinkles, freckles, scars, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as sun-damaged skin. With this procedure, there is very little downtime and results can be seen after the very first peel.

Your plastic surgeon has many ways to make you look younger and feel more beautiful. The good news is that many of his techniques do not require surgery or time away from your job. Talk with a board certified plastic surgeon about the best cosmetic procedure to reach your personal goals.