What are the most important things I should know about nonsurgical aesthetic treatments?
Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments are medical procedures, and with any medical procedure there are with potential risks. If you have realistic expectations of the results, understand that most treatments are not permanent and may need to be repeated in a few months or a year to maintain results, and carefully research your options and the aesthetic specialty physician who will provide the treatment, you can achieve a natural, refreshed look that enhances your appearance.
Are aesthetic injectable products such as Botox Cosmetic and dermal fillers, safe?
Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews significant clinical data on the safety and effectiveness of all drugs and medical devices before approving them for marketing in the United States. Some products have years of clinical history for other conditions before being approved for cosmetic procedures. Botox, for instance, has been approved in the U.S. for more than 17 years to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Is it really true that I can get a "lunchtime facelift?"
That depends on what treatment you're having. Some treatments, like dermal fillers and microdermabrasion, can provide smoother, younger-looking skin in just a few minutes. Others, such as laser resurfacing, may take days or even weeks to heal.
What is the best way to find a aesthetic specialty physician who provides nonsurgical aesthetic treatments?
Go to the Web sites of the major plastic surgery and dermatologic societies listed in the Resources section. They all have searchable databases allowing you to find physicians in your area who provide cosmetic treatments. Also talk to friends who have had treatments done and to your primary health care provider for recommendations. Just make sure you check physician credentials carefully, ensuring they are qualified to perform the specific treatment.
Even though many of these nonsurgical treatments are less expensive than surgery, they're still too expensive for me. Is there any chance my insurance company will pay for part of it?
It's highly unlikely. Most insurance companies don't cover elective treatments like those listed in this brochure. However, if you are having a filler for a medical reason, like restoring your appearance after an accident, or if you have loss of fatty tissue related to AIDS, it might be covered. Also you can talk with your physician about financing options.
The idea of getting shots into my face gives me the willies. But I really need to do something to bring back some freshness. Any suggestions?
Not all treatments require needles. Facial resurfacing with microdermabrasion or dermabrasion, for instance, are needle-free. To reduce pain associated with aesthetic treatments, your doctor will use either a local anesthetic—to numb the area being worked on—or a general anesthetic, to put you totally out. If you opt for injections, most doctors use topical anesthetics to numb the area first.
How do I know if my doctor is qualified for the aesthetic treatment I want?
Ask potential doctors about his or her credentials. Where was he/she trained? In what specialty did he/she do her residency? Did he/she complete a specialty fellowship? What are his/her board certifications? Also ask where your doctor trained on the treatment you're having. Even an injection of Botox Cosmetic requires training to ensure the drug is injected into the correct place in the correct way to avoid complications. If at any time you don't feel comfortable with the answers or the doctor, find someone else.
My doctor says she has a "cheaper" alternative to the dermal filler I asked about. How can I find out about it?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must approve all medications and medical devices before they can be marketed in the United States. The FDA also approves all devices used in treatments like dermabrasion and laser therapies. Most dermal fillers are considered medical devices. To see if it was approved by the FDA, go to www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/geninfo.html. To see if the FDA has approved a drug, go to www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/ and type in the name of the drug.
My doctor is recommending Sculptra dermal filler, but I see it was only FDA-approved for people with AIDS. How can it be used for cosmetic reasons?
Once the FDA approves a medical device or drug and it is on the market, physicians can use it for any reason. This is called "off-label" use, and it is legal. Sculptra is often used off label for cosmetic reasons, as are other nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.
