Though it’s often worth it, going to the doctor for a cosmetic treatment is a serious commitment: you have to take time off, plan around any expected recovery time, and save up for the procedure. And that doesn’t include the time spent researching procedures, getting consultations, and choosing an experienced, board-certified provider. If just reading that makes you tired, you’re not alone.<\/p>
That explains why procedures you need to do only once to see results are so wildly appealing. One-and-done treatments mean no repeat visits to the office—as well as more bang for your buck, since a series can often add up. Too good to be true? Sort of: the downside is that these kinds of treatments are few and far between. “Usually, noninvasive procedures with minimal downtime give minimal results, which is why multiple treatments are necessary,” explains Dr. Andrew Cohen<\/a>, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Encino, California. These five are exceptions to the rule. <\/p> While they’re not permanent, injectable fillers<\/a> can still go a long way. “Filler results are seen after one treatment,” says Dr. Heidi Waldorf<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York. “Whether those results are sufficient for the patient to be satisfied depends upon how much volume has depleted, how much facial proportions need to be rebalanced, and how much filler the patient is willing to have in one treatment.” One syringe of your average hyaluronic acid filler is often enough to plump lips<\/a> or reduce under-eye circles<\/a> in younger patients, while older patients (or those who want significant changes) may need more.<\/p> One round of injectables can last anywhere from six months to two years. (The exact timing depends on what type you get, where you get it, and how quickly your body breaks it down.) However, research<\/a> indicates that some types of filler can stimulate your body’s own production of collagen, for even longer-lasting effects.<\/p> Related: How 3 Women Asked for Time Off Work to Have Plastic Surgery<\/a><\/em><\/p> Fractional ablative lasers<\/a> are not for the faint of heart, but the treatment is often worth it. “If you want a permanent solution, a fractional CO2 laser would be your best bet,” says Dr. Cohen. “It’s an ablative laser used to help treat wrinkles<\/a> and skin texture<\/a>.” These lasers remove the entire superficial layer of the skin, but they do so in only a fraction of the full surface area, for faster healing. (The beam is focused in a dot pattern, with each dot creating a column of damage within skin. The remainder of skin is unaffected.) For that reason, it’s best for those who want to address wrinkles or other signs of severe sun damage. The drawback here is that with the ablation, you’re looking at five to seven days of downtime.<\/p>Injectable fillers<\/strong><\/h2>
Fractional ablative lasers<\/strong><\/h2>