Non-invasive Cosmetic beauty treatments are on the rise. And perhaps paradoxically, so is the trend towards all natural beauty. This may sound like a strange combination, but it makes sense when we take a look at some of the biggest beauty inspirations in the world. While celebrities like Kim Kardashian swear by a make-up free glow, what is left unsaid is that achieving this look requires a lot of work done behind the scenes.
So what kind of non-surgical treatments are available, and will they do us more harm than good in the long run?
Semi-permanent hair removal
Before the choice on body hair removal methods was simple: It can be achieved through shaving or waxing. Now you can add hair removal with a laser machine to the mix. It may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but laser treatment is being used to zap unwanted hairs and to reduce hair growth for anywhere between 6-months and 12-months at a time. This makes it ideal for anyone with a busy lifestyle, and is the secret behind the soft and smooth looking celebrity legs that walk the red carpets.
If you don’t want to go under what’s called a diode laser, there is one other alternative. Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment also uses light to remove hair. But there is one key difference. IPL emits a broader spectrum light that targets a wider area of skin than a diode laser, which means that it can also have benefits such as alleviating skin conditions such as rosacea. Permanent hair removal with IPL has become a lot more popular in recent years also thanks to the availability of lower specification hand held models that can be used at home.
IPL is overwhelmingly considered a safe treatment but it should be applied with caution. Different skin tones can react in distinctive ways, and patients may experience redness and other side effects shortly after treatment. The same applies to diode laser hair removal.
Cool Sculpting
This treatment is also known as a form of liposuction, but the non-invasive kind. It uses a process called cryolipolysis to freeze unwanted fat using a kind of suction pads, which is then flushed out of the body by natural means. CoolSculpting has been trendy in recent years, especially among the Hollywood elite. However it is limited in its application. Without an overall change to a healthy diet and exercise regime, fat will continue to be formed around the body. That’s why CoolSculpting has been dubbed a convenience, a temporary fix or “lunch time lipo” for the super rich.
Cryotherapy
Imagine plunging yourself into a freezing pool filled to the brim with ice blocks for several minutes. Cryotherapy is very similar except you’ll be using vaporized nitrogen to drastically cool down instead of water. Regardless, your body will be immersed into temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celsius. The aim is to reduce inflammation, which can be the root cause for everything from aches and pains to bloating. In addition, the procedure promises to leave the skin with a youthful glow that is ready for a magazine cover.
All of this comes at a hefty price tag, of course, so you would expect to pay more than a hundred dollars a minute for this treatment. The application of cryotherapy is based on sound science whereby temperature changes can stimulate blood flow and promote health. However it’s highly dubious whether such a 3-minute treatment can carry any substantial advantage. And certainly there is no evidence that cryotherapy can be beneficial in the long term.
Are non-surgical procedures worth it?
The answer to the question is yes, and no. If you’re looking to treat a specific problem area such as bad skin then you may find relief in non-invasive treatments, such as skin surface lasers. However, for anyone looking for permanent or even long lasting results, expectations should be managed. When it comes to a healthy body and mind – there is no silver bullet. Instead a balanced diet and regular exercise routine can make all the difference.
