Special Section: Guide to Cosmetic Procedures

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A SUBTLE TOUCH How to enhance your image without reconstructing it

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BY ABERNATHY MILLER RINEHART

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Considering a cosmetic upgrade this spring? You’re not alone. The popularity of cosmetic procedures has exploded in recent years, with noninvasive or minimally invasive options attracting a wider range of people into doctors’ offices across the United States. According to a 2018 report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, total cosmetic procedures in the U.S. are up 168 percent since 2000, with minimally invasive procedures increasing 228 percent. We asked Central Ohio plastic surgeons and doctors to share the biggest trends they’re seeing for the cosmetic industry in 2020.

A LIGHT APPROACH If the idea of “having work done” conjures visions of taught, expressionless celebrities or Kardashian-grade curves, think again. In 2020 and beyond, experts agree that naturallooking enhancements are quickly becoming the new standard for aesthetic medicine.

“The focus is on conservative rejuvenation rather than over-augmentation. More people are excited to keep things looking natural,” says Dr. Jason Lichten of Central Ohio Plastic Surgery. “I get more patients asking how they can look more like their filtered Snapchat photo than their favorite celebrity.

The end goal is to look like a better version of themselves, not somebody else.”

Dermal fillers, injections, lasers and fatgrafting techniques are allowing more people to tweak their appearance without changing their entire image. While breast and butt augmentations remain popular, these procedures are used more for fine-tuning than dramatic overhauls.

“People are still requesting butt lifts, but the goal is to have their yoga pants fit better, not to have a Kardashian backside,” says Lichten.

Doctors say the key to achieving a noticeable improvement that doesn’t look drastically different is combining minor procedures to achieve overall symmetry, rather than spot-treating single areas.

“It’s more about choosing the right combination of subtle tweaks to create an overall better appearance than filling a line,” says Dr. Mary Beth Mudd, founder of New You Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics. “People are looking for ways to make discreet enhancements so that they look refreshed, but still like themselves. There is a huge reluctance to look unnatural. Few people want to look like they’ve had work done.”

WHERE ART & SURGERY COME TOGETHER Dr. Jason B. Lichten, voted by his peers as a Top Doctor, believes the human body is the finest work of art. Plastic surgery is not about becoming someone you’re not, but rather about choosing to express yourself in the way you want to look and feel. Everyone wants to be the best version of themselves and Dr. Lichten can help you make informed decisions about nonsurgical treatments or surgical procedures.

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face also works great on the neck, arms and chest,” says Mudd. “Each device and treatment has its own sweet spot, but we’ve found that when we pair certain procedures together, we get even better results.”

BODY CONTOURING WITHOUT CUTTING Thanks to a variety of noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures, achieving an enviable figure through aesthetic medicine is more accessible and popular than ever.

Whether it’s using radio frequencies to boost collagen production or electrical currents to enhance muscle definition, more patients are turning to their doctors to trim, tone and tighten their physique.

While surgical liposuction remains the gold standard for removing excess fat, procedures like CoolSculpting, which uses cryolipolysis to freeze fat away, or laser techniques that heat and melt fat cells are more attractive alternatives.

Removing excess fat isn’t the only way to create the best silhouette possible. New skin-tightening devices like AccuTite and BodyTite use radiofrequencies to boost collagen production and give the skin a firmer appearance, and ultherapy, which uses ultrasound technology to tighten skin, can tweak problem areas both on the body and the face.

“With AccuTite, results can be seen immediately after the procedure, but the collagen-building can continue for six to nine months,” says Mudd. “The application of the technology can be used to treat lots of different concerns, from stubborn arm fat to sagging eyelids.”

For patients interested in getting a sculpted look, technologies like EmSculpt and TruSculpt might be the answer. These devices use high-intensity electromagnetic energy to create targeted muscle contractions which, in turn, bolster muscle definition.

“With TruSculpt, we can work on both removing fat and toning the muscles,” Clin-

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WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN The cosmetic industry is always making advancements and turning out new devices, techniques and procedures, but some doctors are finding good reason to stick with old reliables.

“There are always new lasers and treatments coming onto the market, but the industry trend is finding new and exciting uses for things we’ve been using for a long time,” says Dr. Carole Clinton, founder of Timeless Skincare Solutions. “We’re finding that by using existing devices and treatments in new ways and combinations, we’re maximizing what we can do for a patient nonsurgically or with minimal cutting.”

From new uses for classic injectables— like Botox to plump lips and reshape the jawline—to reimagining the way procedures are paired and performed, repurposing technology in new ways means patients have more options than ever.

“We found that the Halo Hybrid Laser that we use to tighten skin around the

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ton says. “We can get a great result without too much cutting.”

START YOUNG, STAY YOUNG While aesthetic preferences and new innovations drive industry trends, the biggest shift for many doctors is in the clientele— they’re getting younger.

More patients in their 20s and 30s are turning to cosmetic medicine—that’s much earlier than previous generations. Though industry factors like accessibility and nonsurgical options and cultural factors like social media have undoubtedly contributed to the influx of younger patients, doctors believe it’s a mindset shift that is bringing more millennials in for consultations.

Younger patients are approaching the industry differently from their older counterparts, with the focus being on maintenance rather than rejuvenation.

“People are no longer ‘waiting until it’s bad’ to come in, and as a result, we can do a lot more prevention,” says Mudd.

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Today, millennial patients are using dermal fillers, injectables and laser treatments to maintain their current youthful appearance. This proactive approach to cosmetic medicine could lead to less cutting—and less spending—in the long run.

“The earlier you start, the more Mother Nature can help us out along the way and the longer you can put off major surgery,” says Mudd. “It’s like having a car—it’s easier to maintain than it is to repair. The patients who are proactive and address an issue before it becomes a big problem, and while their bodies are still naturally producing collagen, are often the ones putting off surgery for longer.”

BOYS’ CLUB While the age demographic for patients continues to get wider, the gender gap is narrowing. Doctors are seeing an increasing number of men in their offices in recent years. With minimally invasive procedures making chiseled jawlines and

strong cheekbones more achievable, more men are turning to cosmetic medicine to enhance how they look and feel.

“People are leaning heavier into cosmetic medicine, and not always the people you’d expect. The 18-to-25 segment is equal opportunity. The men are as excited about it as the women,” says Clinton.

The 2018 study by the ASPS found that while fewer men are getting cosmetic surgery (down 45 percent since 2000), the number of men getting minimally invasive or noninvasive cosmetic procedures has increased 72 percent since 2000, with injectables like Botox (up 381 percent) and laser skin resurfacing (up 250 percent) being the most soughtafter treatments. “[Both men and women] in the younger generation are really interested in owning their skincare, not only to look their best today, but to maintain for later,” says Clinton. “You’d be surprised how many guys are sitting around their fraternity houses talking about skincare.”

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