Ready to Socialize Again? Refresh Your Look With These 7 Post-Pandemic Procedures
After a full year, COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease and many of us are getting ready to head back into the world again. But with the end of the pandemic in sight, are you ready to begin socializing in person? If maskne and stress have your skin looking dull and dehydrated, or if gym closures added a few extra pounds to your waistline, here are 7 procedures to help you refresh your look.
Face procedures
From non-surgical treatments like Botox and microneedling, to powerful procedures like an eyelid lift, these 4 facial procedures will help you put your best face forward as you re-book your social calendar.
1. Botox and fillers
After a year of coping with the pandemic, your skin is probably feeling the effects. And while applying moisturizers and adopting a quality skincare routine can help protect your skin and delay the effects of aging, Botox and dermal fillers can instantly refresh your look. Here’s how.
Botox can reduce the appearance of stress-induced lines and wrinkles by temporarily relaxing facial muscles. Botox treats dynamic lines and wrinkles, which are the ones that appear when you make facial movements, like frowning, smiling, or squinting. Because Botox is so effective at diminishing crow’s feet, glabellar lines (a.k.a. “the elevens”), and horizontal forehead folds, you’ll immediately look younger and more energized after your treatment.
Dermal fillers revive dull skin by stimulating collagen production deep within the dermis to give you tighter, younger-looking skin. Unlike Botox, dermal fillers treat wrinkles and folds caused by gravity (like deep nasolabial folds and under-eye bags), restore volume loss in the mid-face, and plump the lips. Plus, dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm restore hyaluronic acid (a substance naturally found in the body that is responsible for hydrating cells) to help you achieve plumper, more vibrant skin.
2. Microneedling
Microneedling has been called “the vampire facial” because it works by creating dozens of tiny puncture wounds on the skin’s surface (“micro-injuries”) to promote collagen and elastin production. Microneedling is exceptionally great for treating perioral wrinkles (the vertical lines that form around the mouth), sun damage, and acne scars. An added benefit of microneedling is that the tiny wounds it creates can allow skincare products to enter into skin more easily and work more efficiently—this means you can maximize results by combining your treatment with clinical-strength skincare products.
Since microneedling encourages completely new skin growth, the treatment takes both time and multiple applications to deliver full results. Most of our patients require 3 treatments spaced every 4 to 6 weeks apart, followed by yearly maintenance treatments. Learn more about microneedling by watching Dr. Aboutanos describe the treatment at the 2019 Beauty Bash hosted by Richmond Plastic Surgeons.
3. Eyelid lift
If you didn’t think your eyes were a key feature before the pandemic, you likely realized their prominence after a full year of mask-wearing. You may also have noticed your eyes seemed a little less vibrant as the pandemic wore on; perhaps dark circles began creeping in or crow’s feet began emerging where they never had before. If you’re looking to reduce these signs of fatigue and highlight the natural beauty of your eyes, there’s no better procedure than an eyelid lift.
An eyelid lift, clinically referred to as blepharoplasty, can correct under-eye bags, reduce upper and lower eyelid sagging (eyelid ptosis), and smooth wrinkles around the eyes. And since the eyelids are one of the areas of the body that heals the fastest, scars are usually very minimal and easy to conceal, making recovery a breeze. In sum, this procedure can quickly and dependably have you looking even better than before the pandemic.
If you’re considering an eyelid lift, keep in mind that it’s important to choose a board certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure, as inexperienced or underqualified surgeons may over-tighten your eyelids, which could provide an unnatural result or even impact your vision.
Body procedures
If you accumulated a little extra fat around your belly, thighs, or bottom this past year, you’re not alone. Pandemic-induced stress had many of us reaching for comfort food we would normally avoid, not to mention we were skipping the gym because, well, we had to! Thankfully, these surgical and non-surgical solutions can help you slim down and tone up before heading back into the “real world.”
1. Tummy tuck
If you have to pick just one procedure to have before the pandemic officially ends, there are a few reasons why you should consider making it a tummy tuck:
Because a tummy tuck removes extra fat & skin and repairs stretched abdominal muscles, this procedure can completely transform your stomach, smoothing loose skin and giving you a strong, flat, tummy you’ll want to show off this summer.
A tummy tuck is a great procedure to have while you can still work from home. Though you’ll need a full week off for initial recovery, you can return to light computer work during your second week. If your employer is currently letting you work from home, consider getting your tummy tuck done now before you’re needed in the office.
2. Liposuction
While many people think it’s just a way to lose fat quickly and effortlessly, liposuction is actually a powerful body contouring tool: a skilled surgeon can use it to both reduce problem areas and enhance your natural curves. This means you keep a little extra cushion where it looks good (think: hips and butt) and lose a little where it doesn’t (think: belly, flanks, and thighs). The advantage of scheduling your lipo now is that people will think you simply lost weight and toned up during the pandemic!
3. Breast enhancement
Whether you want to increase or decrease your breast size or simply desire a lift, spring is a great time to recover ahead of summer activities. Here’s how a breast enhancement can refresh your look this season.
A breast augmentation can help you finally fill that bikini style you’ve been dying to wear. Plus, with so many implant sizes and shapes currently available, we can develop a breast augmentation plan specific to your body goals.
A breast reduction removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin, helping women feel more comfortable in their bodies and less encumbered by overly large breasts. Breast reduction surgery is becoming increasingly popular, with more women opting for smaller, more proportioned breasts.
A breast lift can “perk up” sagging breasts and increase chest symmetry by lifting loose breast tissues. A breast lift can be combined with a breast augmentation or a breast reduction if you want to change your size, or it can be performed on its own if you just need a little lift.
4. Renuvion
If you’re struggling with loose, droopy skin on your body or neck, Renuvion can help you achieve tighter, firmer skin. This innovative new technology heats subdermal layers of lax skin, causing the skin to contract and tighten. Renuvion can be used on your cheeks, jowls, neck, abdomen, arms, thighs, flanks, hips, or buttocks—meaning you can say bye to bat wings, love handles, and more, just in time for swimsuit season!
Let Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Aboutanos refresh your look
Want a confidence boost before you return to socializing in person? Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos can help you safely rejuvenate your appearance at her Richmond practice. To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Aboutanos, contact her online or call (804) 355-3410.