The 21st-century has led to a major development in the number of people around the world seeking the best in cosmetic procedures designed to slow or reverse the effects of aging. In the modern world, we are all faced with the airbrushing of magazine images and movies which can lead to many developing an unhealthy obsession with changing their appearance in drastic ways; Dr. Usha Rajagopal of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center hopes to empower individuals with a deeper understanding of the many different options open to them as we all fight the damaging effects of the sun and aging.

Non-surgical Vs Surgical

One of the biggest myths Dr. Rajagopal is hoping to dispell over the course of her career is the insistence on the facelift as the only option in cosmetics surgery to keep an individual looking as young as possible and line free. Although the term non-surgical facelift is something of a misnomer, the term is an umbrella designed to explain the many different procedures offered at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center which do not involve scalpels and major damage to the skin of a patient.

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy is described by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as a surgical procedure which looks to halt the effects of aging and can be used to restore the appearance of the neck and face to a more youthful look. Non-surgical procedures are classed as those including chemical peels, laser resurfacing treatments, and Botox procedures.

A non-surgical facelift

Dr. Usha Rajagopal is well known for the impressive work she has completed in the plastic surgery sector but she is now looking to make sure her patients are aware of the many different options open to them in non-surgical facelifts. There are many different options open to patients who feel they have which do not include the use of anesthesia and cuts to the skin which often includes the use of Botox and fillers to make positive changes to the appearance, according to The Huffington Post.

Fillers are a good option Dr. Rajagopal recommends for many of her patients as these have the ability to replace the fat deposits beneath the skin which are removed over time allowing the skin to fall around the face and neck to give the image of premature aging. Gel fillers are created with hyaluronic acid which fills various areas of the body and can be used across much of the face and neck to allow for a more youthful appearance. Botox is another popular option Dr. Rajagopal recommends for her patients who wish to appear more youthful but undergo a large amount of maintenance as the effects of this well-known non-surgical procedure last around 12 weeks.

Various different options are available

There are many different options available for those who are not looking for a surgical facelift including chemical peels and laser resurfacing treatments which are largely painless but do require more maintenance. The idea of maintaining the different non-surgical options is one which must be considered in the view of Dr. Usha Rajagopal who explains the need for long-term maintenance when these options are taken; the chemical peel has the ability to tighten the skin by around 30 percent over the course of a treatment but must be repeated every 12 weeks or so to make sure the effects remain in place for the long term.

Non-surgical procedures must be weighed against their effectiveness

Over the course of a treatment, Dr. Usha Rajagopal likes to make sure every patient has the opportunity to learn about their different options and create an individual treatment plan for the future. Unlike in the previous era of plastic surgery, Dr. Rajagopal agrees with the decision of American Society of Plastic Surgeons that individual patient plans should always be created rather than sticking with the earlier options of using overall techniques to complete anti-aging options on an individual patient.

The effectiveness of a non-surgical treatment should be weighed against the needs of each patient in the view of Dr. Rajagopal as each individual should explore their own needs alongside the requirements of each patient’s needs. Prior to embarking on any surgical procedure or non-surgical option a patient should make their own decision about the fact a surgical procedure will last for a longer period of time and require less maintenance but include more pain and a longer recovery. In contrast, Dr. Rajagopal reports the use of a non-surgical procedure does not include any invasive actions and a lower level of pain and recovery time; patients deciding on a non-surgical option should weigh these options against the need for an option which fits into the lifestyle of the individual.

Dr. Usha Rajagopal recommends patients call her office at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center to discuss the best treatment options for their needs.