Beauty is an idealized human concept that many of us strive to achieve and maintain. So important is this idea of beauty that it was worshipped by the ancient Greeks as embodied in the goddess Aphrodite; the Romans later adopted Aphrodite into their own pantheon, renaming her the goddess Venus. Beauty changes along with culture as anyone who has studied idealized feminine sex icons in American history can tell you; the 1990s and 2000s have seen exaggerated curves, lower weights, and fewer flaws from celebrities thanks to photo editing and medical breakthroughs with equal measure. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all; here are some ways that people are fighting the effects of aging and allowing their inner beauty to shine through.
Spas and Chemical Peels
Everyone deserves to treat themselves now and again; there is seldom more perfect of an opportunity to do just this than a spa day. Last year the total number of annual spa visits increased to 160 million with the average guest spending just $87 to feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and papered for each visit. The spa industry has seen a massive boom over the last few years as 2014 reports for the spa industry show revenues reaching $15.5 billion U.S. dollars. Many spas offer clinically tested chemical peels that can help improve the appearance of one’s skin by minimizing wrinkles and helping to remove blemishes. In 2012 there were over 1.1 million chemical peel procedures to produce more beautiful, youthful skin. Always check with a dermatologist to ensure that your skin will react positively to a chemical peel, as there are some patients that have experienced adverse reactions in the past.
Laser Peel Centers
Since there are some individuals that experience an unfavorable reaction to chemical peels, many are turning to the precision and power of a laser to combat the effects of aging. Laser skin resurfacing centers have board certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons use a specially prepared laser to reduce surface irregularities on one’s skin such as acne scars and other blemishes. The expert will typically sedate the patient or apply a local anesthetic for the procedure. The treatment it takes around a half hour to 45 minutes depending on the area being treated. The effects of laser skin resurfacing are permanent, although some patients return for additional procedures as age continues to stand in opposition as the anti-thesis of beauty.
Juvederm and Botox Injections
Thanks to the exposure given by Hollywood celebrities, Botox and other non-surgical facelift treatments such as Juvederm are growing in popularity across the nation. Most Botox patients are between the age of 40 and 59 and seek to have fuller cheeks, diminished wrinkles, and smoother skin overall. Up to 82% of all patients see an improvement within as little as a week for a typical Botox treatment, with most treatments lasting for around four months. Similar to Botox, Juvederm is a soft-tissue filler that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to add volume and diminish wrinkles. Like Botox, Juvederm helps to restore contour and give patients a more youthful profile; unlike Botox the effects are intended to work for up to 2 years in patients over 21. The cost of Juvederm varies largely on the amount used and the location of the area treated; in general costs range from around $300 to $800. Age is only a number, unfortunately it is a number that matters: talk to your doctor about anti-aging treatments to find out which treatment will work best for you.