The Fountain of Youth may just be a myth, but as science and technology have advanced, achieving a youthful and healthy look has become much easier. The past few decades have seen a drastic increase in cosmetic surgery with hundreds of different cosmetic procedures available to everyone. Chances are, if you are unhappy about some feature of your face or body, there is a procedure that can help correct that imperfection.

With so many surgeries available, you have the option to change the things that bother you, giving you the more self-esteem and a healthier body image. Below are a few cosmetic procedures you might want to consider for a more youthful look.

Botox

Botox has become very popular in recent years. Botox, which is the trade name for botulinum toxin type A, blocks nerve impulses. When injected into the skin, Botox works by partially blocking the nerves of the injected muscle thus “paralyzing” the muscle.

The average human face is prone to all sorts of wrinkling, from furrowed brows to crow’s feet and beyond, all as a natural result of aging. When Botox is injected into the skin, it paralyzes the muscles and decreases the pull of these muscles, reducing wrinkles and creases in the skin.

The great thing about Botox is that it does not require complex facial sculpting through surgery. The injections simply ease your skin back in a relaxed but well-toned way, giving your face a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

Remember that the effects of Botox injections are temporary and will wear off in four to six months, requiring regular visits to your cosmetic surgeon.

Microdermabrasion

Often known as the “instant facelift,” microdermabrasion is a great alternative to more expensive and invasive treatments.

The procedure makes use of tiny, rough grains (like crushed crystals or salt powders) to effectively remove the surface layer of skin and any dead skin cells. Plenty of other products, like everyday face scrubs and cleansers, use a similar technique. In more abrasive treatments, a microdermabrasion may also require the use of vacuum pressure to evenly penetrate deeper layers of skin.

With microdermabrasion, the idea is that removing or breaking up the superficial layer of skin causes the body to replace any lost skin cells with new, healthy ones. This presents a few benefits:

• These newer skin cells look and feel smoother, effectively making your face look refreshed and youthful.
• Any visible imperfections, like blemishes, lines, and sun damage are reduced.
• Moisturizers become much more effective because ingredients can penetrate into the lower layers of skin much easier.

It should be noted that in the first hour after treatment, you may experience mild swelling and redness, both of which should subside quickly.

Facelift

Generally, the face shows many signs of aging as caused by exposure to the sun, gravity, and stress from everyday life. Wrinkles begin to form and tightness decreases, making many people hope for a way of turning back the clock to recover that youthful, tight, toned face. Fortunately, we now have facelifts, which can effectively eliminate signs of aging.

A facelift, which is technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a popular cosmetic surgery that aims at giving patients a more youthful appearance. During the procedure, the surgeon separates the skin from the deeper tissues. From here, the surgeon proceeds to remove excess fat and tighten the face muscles. The skin is then draped back over the face, at which point the surgeon removes excess skin.

A facelift can also be performed in conjunction with other procedures, like eyelid surgery, a forehead lift, or a nose reshaping. The facelift procedure is most suited for individuals with a well-defined bone structure and skin that has begun to sag but still has some elasticity to it.

A facelift is very effective in making your face look at least ten years younger and boosting your overall self-confidence.

Fillers

Many people may think of Botox when they hear the word “fillers,” but there are several other injections besides Botox that help rejuvenate your face for a youthful appearance. One of these is called Restylane, which is made with a naturally occurring substance. When injected, Restylane fills out wrinkles in places like around the mouth.

Juvederm is an injectable gel, approved by the FDA. This dermal filler can help certain areas of your face become more supple, firmer, and smoother. Anywhere on the face that suffers from wrinkles, sagging, or hollowness can be plumped with Juvederm.

These and other dermal fillers are safe, temporary, and help fill out areas of the face such as lips, around the mouth, cheekbones, and around the eyes that appear a bit deflated due to aging.