Category Archives: Non-Surgical

plastic surgery spending

Are People Spending More Money on Plastic Surgery Today?

There’s no doubt that aesthetic plastic surgery procedures have increased recently, but to what extent is kind of mind blowing. With the introduction of non-surgical procedures that can present pretty remarkable results, some people thought that actual surgical procedures might start to slow down a bit, but the numbers reported by The Aesthetics Society for 2021 have shown that not to be the case.

Aesthetic plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures spending combined in 2020 for a total of over $9 billion, while for the first 6-months of 2021 we saw spending of upwards of $8.7 billion on aesthetic plastic surgery alone.

That’s $8.7 billion dollars spent on plastic surgery, not including non-surgical procedures, which continue to see a huge boom in popularity due to their non-invasive, less expensive nature.

Overall, there has been consistent growth in plastic surgery procedures for about the last 10 years, so we expected to see numbers rise as we continue to move forward, however with COVID and the economic impacts of the pandemic, I don’t know that anyone expected the numbers to be quite this good.

Why Are People Spending More on Plastic Surgery?

While the COVID pandemic did force a lot of doctors and surgeons to put their practices on hold, it also created new demand for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

While a lot of people were left unemployed or struggling to get by during points in the pandemic, it also meant that people couldn’t spend money on the luxuries that they were before. Vacations, restaurants, and other events were put on hold due to the spreading of the virus, so people were left with a little more disposable income that they may have been saving up. Not to mention a few rounds of stimulus checks that people weren’t budgeting for at the beginning of the year.

This extra money saved and coming in meant that some people could now afford those plastic surgery procedures they had been thinking about getting. And once the doctors’ offices started to open back up, and cosmetic surgery was able to move forward again, it brought out a lot of people looking to improve their appearance.

But the money isn’t the only reason that more people have been opting for plastic surgery procedures this year.

Working From Home – More Time to Recovery

In addition to having a little extra income, most office workers were still working from home at the start of the year. This meant that they had more time to recover in the comfort of their own home and there was less need to take time off.

Work could still get done while laying in bed recovering from a breast augmentation, but most people would have taken a couple weeks off to heal had they been going into the office. Not to mention people could recover without having their nosey coworkers asking questions. Some people would love to have a cosmetic procedure done but are afraid of what coworkers and friends may think. So having the ability to recover at home with limited external contact is a great option for a lot of people.

Non-Surgical Procedure Boost

Non-surgical procedures saw a huge boost in 2020 and 2021 and a lot of that has to do with the pandemic, but not the way you may think.

We’ve discussed this before, but we couldn’t talk about the increase in dollars spent on plastic surgery without talking about the “zoom effect”.

Many people were forced to do most of their work through zoom, or video conferences, while being in lock down during 2020 and 2021. This caused people to have to stare at their own faces for longer periods of time than they normally would, which also meant they were able to see more imperfections.

HD cameras and high-def computer screens make it very easy to notice little things about your face that you may not like. And while your coworkers probably never noticed them, the fact that people had to stare at a screen that shows their face in the corner all the time, meant people were able to see those flaws more closely.

Non-surgical procedures are great at helping your face and skin look its best while on camera. They are inexpensive, effective, and usually don’t require any downtime to recover. Doctors saw a lot more patients coming in for quick non-surgical treatments this year than they have in the past and some of that has to do with the new work from home culture.

The Growth of Plastic Surgery

While the COVID pandemic and lockdowns did play a part in the boom of plastic surgery mid-2020 into 2021, it’s important to note that plastic surgery has been growing steadily for the last 10 years.

It used to have more of a negative connotation associated with it, but as techniques, procedures, and technology improve, a good plastic surgeon can make it less obvious that you’ve had work done. All of these things combined have led to incredible growth within this field and we’re excited to see where the future takes us.

If you have any questions regarding plastic surgery procedures or would like to setup a consultation, please contact us at Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery in Dallas, Texas today!

botox hair loss

Can Botox Help With Hair Loss?

Botox is well known in the non-surgical world as being a great tool to help reduce wrinkles as well as help provide a more youthful look to the face. Botox is injected underneath the skin and causes the muscles to relax to help produce that smooth look that most people desire. And while that is still the main purpose for using Botox, there has been much testing in regard to what else Botox might be able to help with, and one of those things is hair loss.

Botox and Hair Loss

There are two different methods for using Botox on the scalp that people are claiming will help with hair loss, or help hair grow in thicker. The first method is what we would traditionally think of when talking about Botox and that is injections under the skin. While the other method that has been discussed regarding Botox and hair is using it as a topical treatment.

Do either of these treatment methods using Botox actually help improve hair growth or reduce hair loss? Let’s take a look.

Topical Botox Treatment for Hair Loss

In the hair care world these topical “Botox” treatments for your hair are called “Hair Botox”, but they don’t in fact have any botulinum toxin in them, which is what is found in injectable Botox fillers. This can lead to a bit of confusion when discussing Botox treatments for hair loss.

Simply rubbing Botox designed to be injected into your scalp is not going to help with your hair loss. It’s not going to make your hair appear thicker, it’s not going to promote hair growth in patients that are starting to lose their hair, and it’s not going to show the results you are probably expecting. So, we would advise against getting traditional Botox and rubbing it into your hair. Not to mention it would be extremely expensive to do so.

These “Hair Botox” products are actually just deep conditioning treatments that coat the hair fibers with fillers to help give the appearance of thicker hair.

These flexible fillers can grasp on to the hair and fill in any broken or thin areas to add moisture and shine, as well as soften and repair the hair. These treatments can last up to a few months but are not permanent and use of these conditioners will have to be repeated multiple times a year to sustain the desired outcome.

There are a number of different brands of “Hair Botox” out there, many of which use different ingredients, but the idea remains the same. Oils, antioxidants, and vitamins are rubbed into the hair to help repair and enhance damaged hair, giving it a fuller look.

Botox Injections for Hair Loss

As we mentioned above, injectable Botox has been around for a while. It is mainly used for reducing wrinkles in the skin on the face, but recently more studies have been done regarding other applications for the treatment.

Hair loss has come a long way in the last decade, and it only makes sense that more and more researchers are looking into non-surgical techniques to help reduce hair loss and hair thinning. While hair transplant surgery is still at the top of the list when it comes to hair loss treatment results, non-surgical, medicinal, and even laser light therapies have all shown great promise in helping to stimulate hair growth.

And that’s where Botox injectables may benefit those suffering from hair loss.

A study from 2020 out of China has indicated that injecting Botox (or Botulinum toxin type A (BTA)) into the scalp every 3 months for 12 months showed that it was effective at helping with hair growth. It is thought that since Botox injections help to relax muscles, these injections are relaxing the muscles in your scalp which can enhance blood flow and increase the delivery of nutrients to the hair. This can in turn help promote hair growth and less thinning in the scalp.

Of course, this will only work on hair follicles that are still alive. So if you have areas of your scalp where you have gone completely bald, then there’s a good chance that injecting Botox into those areas will not help and a hair transplant may be your only option.

We know how disappointing it can be when you start to lose your hair, so it’s exciting to see that the continued research into hair loss and hair thinning is showing impressive results using treatment methods that we currently use in other areas of the body.

snatched jawline

What is a Snatched Jawline and Why Was it Popular in 2021?

Have you ever heard the term snatched jawline? While you may not have heard that exact term used, it’s become very popular in the world of cosmetic surgery over the last couple years.

A snatched jawline basically means a very defined jawline. Being able to see the back of the jaw against your neck, having tighter skin along those areas, and presenting a bolder look of their lower face.

In the past the only way to obtain noticeable results when it comes to the jawline was to undergo a face lift or a neck lift to help pull and tighten the skin in those areas. Thankfully, due to the advances in technology over the years, we now have a variety of different non-surgical, or less invasive, methods that we can use in order to help give you the snatched, or chiseled jawline that you desire.

Snatched Jawline – Non-Surgical Methods

As cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery methods advance as the technology advances, we have a lot more tools in our case to help improve appearances without having to go under the knife.

When it comes to trying to create a more pronounced jawline on our patients, we have a number of methods we can use before we would have to resort to a surgical procedure.

In some cases surgical procedures may be the only way to safely achieve the goals of the patient.

Non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures can be a great way to help get the jawline you desire. We can use a variety of different methods to help build upon one another until we get the desired results of the patient.

Liposuction, injectable fillers, botox, and skin tightening techniques are some of the best tools we have to “snatch your jawline”. Some of these procedures will even allow you to be in and out of the office within an hour. That’s just how incredible this technology and these products have become.

However, the one thing that we always talk to our patients about is managing expectations. We’ve talked about this in the past, and it still holds true when it comes to defining your jawline. A traditional surgical procedure is still going to net you the best results with the longest lasting effects.

Non-surgical and non-invasive procedures may provide a benefit up-front, for a lower cost, and with less of an investment physically, but the effects of these non-surgical procedures don’t always last forever. So be sure to talk to your doctor about the results you’re looking for so they can help manage your expectations.

Why Has a Snatched Jawline Been So Popular Lately?

Over the last couple years, while we’ve all been hunkered down in our homes doing virtual learning and working from home, there has been an uptick in facial procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. This stems from the fact that most of us have been communicating with our co-workers, family, and friends via a screen using video chat.

When you use a video chat program like zoom or facetime, in most cases there is a small window in the corner that shows you yourself. This has led to us having to look at our own faces for longer periods of time than if we were to just glance in a mirror while getting ready in the morning. Because of this we notice imperfections in our skin, in our jawlines, in our eyes, and in our face in general. Combine that with the fact that the cameras on our computers and phones have become extremely clear and sharp, and we start to become more self-conscious about what we look like.

While it may seem odd, this has been the leading reason as to why more facial procedures were performed these last couple years when compared to previous years. People typically weren’t looking at themselves for hours on end in the past, so this increase in facial procedures makes perfect sense when you think about it.

Thankfully, as we stated above, the technology and products available to help tighten, soften, and clean up the skin have come a long way over the past few years so we can more easily and quickly fix any minor problem issues that you may notice.

If you’re looking for more information on cleaning up your jawline and making it more pronounced, contact us today at Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX.

holiday surgery non-surgical treatments

Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments to Help You Look Your Best for the Holidays

With COVID still hanging around the holidays may look a little different this year, again. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look and feel your best!

Regardless of whether you’ll be visiting family in person or through a Facetime or Zoom call, the holidays bring people together. Maybe you’ll be seeing people you haven’t seen in a while, maybe you’ll be seeing some people in person for the first time in almost two years, whatever the case may be, you’re going to want to look and feel your best.

We’ve all been cooped up inside for a while, and while COVID is still a presence in our lives, vaccines and other protocols across the country have started to allow people to venture back out into the world.

The stay-at-home orders were a great time to undergo plastic surgery procedures, as it gave you time to recover in the privacy of your own home without having to worry about outsiders seeing you in public. And while stay-at-home orders have lifted across the country, there’s still time to recover from surgical procedures before the holiday parties start.

Let’s take a look at some great surgical and non-surgical procedures that can help you look your best this holiday season.

Surgical Procedures for the Holidays

If you’re looking to have a surgical procedure done in time for the holidays, you might want to set up an appointment with a doctor soon. Recovery time on surgical procedures can take weeks depending on the surgery, so getting them done soon will allow you to heal in time for those upcoming family gatherings.

The other nice thing about the holidays is that you get time off from work and a lot of times your family does as well, so this could also be the perfect time to get a surgical procedure if you don’t plan on doing much traveling or visiting over the holidays.

Breast Augmentation

At Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery, we specialize in breast augmentation surgery. Whether you’re looking for breast implants or a breast lift, Dr. Adams is nationally recognized as one of the best plastic surgeons. He’s even developed his own method that allows for 24-hour fast track recovery from breast augmentation surgery.

Because of the way the surgery is performed, pain and recovery time are limited, and you can get back to light day-to-day activities quicker than with other methods. This would be perfect for the holiday season.

Tummy Tuck / Liposuction

A tummy tuck in conjunction with liposuction is a great way to get rid of pesky belly fat and excess skin. This is a great procedure to have done during the fall/winter months so that you can fully recover before beach season kicks off next year. It will also help you to look and feel your best at family gatherings over the holidays.

Tummy tucks do take some time to heal properly, so having these types of procedures done when you won’t have to be going into the office is a great option. You’ll be able to return to light activity after about 2 weeks, which means you can be sure you’ll feel great for the holidays.

Non-Surgical Procedures and Treatments

In addition to surgical procedures, there are a number of non-surgical procedures and treatments you can have done that require little to no recovery time. That’s the beauty of these non-surgical options, you’ll be in and out of our offices in a matter of hours and can return to your normal schedule as soon as you step out the door.

Keep in mind though, non-surgical options are not going to provide you the same results as traditional surgery, but if you’re looking for a great way to enhance your look for those virtual gatherings this fall, these are some great options.

Injectable Fillers

Injectable fillers, like Botox and dermal fillers are a great way to soften up wrinkles and age lines on your face.

A small needle is used to inject these fillers just under the skin in your face to help add subtle volume to the areas affected by age. The lines and wrinkles in these areas will then smooth over giving you a more youthful look.

Injectable fillers are a great way to rejuvenate your face without having to have traditional surgery. The procedure only takes a short amount of time and in most cases some results can be seen almost instantly.

You’ll be able to return to your normal lifestyle as soon as you leave our office. It’s quick, painless, and the results can last for months.

Skin Tightening

Our Aya Med Spa location offers skin tightening which uses ultrasounds to lift, tighten, and tone your sagging skin. It works by helping to stimulate collagen growth in your body which will help your skin appear smooth and rejuvenated.

As with injectable fillers, this procedure requires almost no downtime after the treatment and is virtually painless. Patients may appear flush immediately after the procedure, in the areas that were treated, but you can return to your normal lifestyle right away.

Skin Resurfacing Laser Treatments

Laser treatments have been making a big impact in the world of non-surgical procedures over the last few years, and for good reason. Lasers can be used to help resurface the skin to help treat wrinkles, surface irregularities, and uneven pigmentation.

If you’re looking to clear up the skin on your face for the holidays, this is a great option.

Overall if you’re looking to make some changes, whether surgical or non-surgical, now is the time to do it. Whether you’re wanting to look and feel great for the holidays, or you just want to look rejuvenated for your daily Zoom meetings, these treatments are a great way to gain back your self confidence and keep you feeling great.

If you have any questions about the surgical and non-surgical procedures that we offer at Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery and the AYA Med Spa, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

vitamin c serum wrinkles

Can Topical Vitamin C Serums Help Reduce Wrinkles?

As skin care products and treatments continue to advance, there are more and more ways to help prevent or reduce facial wrinkles without having to undergo surgery.

With options like dermal fillers, botox, and other non-surgical injectables designed to reduce wrinkles, you can make your face look young and smooth without surgery.

While these types of non-surgical procedures are great at reducing wrinkles and fine lines, they still require a trip to the doctor and a needle to inject these products under your skin. And while these procedures are generally very painless, not everyone is comfortable with products being injected under their skin.

Thankfully there are also a number of non-surgical topical creams and serums that you can use on your face to help rejuvenate your skin and lessen the effects of aging. And while it may seem too good to be true, there have been studies that have shown definite improvement of the skin while using these products.

We’ve talked about a few of these different types of products and procedures on our site in the past like CBD creams, beauty masks, and even laser treatments, but one of the latest trends in wrinkle creams is vitamin C serums.

What is a Vitamin C Serum?

A vitamin C serum is basically what you would expect when it comes to a topical facial product. It’s typically found in a liquid, gel, or cream form that is loaded with vitamin C.

We’ve all been told that vitamin C is great when it comes to fighting off colds or sickness, and that same idea has start to bleed into the skincare market. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which allows it to help break down the elastic and collagen in your skin. This allows for your skin to become tighter and more youthful in appearance.

Even if you take oral vitamin C daily or eat a healthy diet consisting of the proper amount of vitamin C, that doesn’t guarantee that all of those vitamins are making it into your skin. Our bodies need vitamin C to maintain our health by protecting our cells against free radicals. So the amount of vitamin C we take in needs to be distributed throughout the body.

But because research has shown that amped up amounts of vitamin C on our skin can help reduce signs of aging, these vitamin C serums have become extremely popular in skincare.

Do Vitamin C Serums Work for Wrinkles?

Miracle creams and non-surgical products have been touting the secret to younger skin for years, so do vitamin C serums for the face really help reduce wrinkles or is this just another marketing gimmick?

In the case of vitamin C serums, there have been studies done that have shown “visible and statistically significant improvement in wrinkling when used topically for 12 weeks”.  This double-blind study had patients apply a topical gel loaded with vitamin C to their faces over the course of 12 weeks. They then were examined as well as had a biopsy taken of their cheeks. The results showed a significant improvement in hydration as well as “increased Grenz zone collagen” without any secondary inflammation.

While this study utilized a smaller sample size, it does show that there was improvement to the skin when using a topical gel with high levels of vitamin C.

In general though, everyone’s skin is different, so what works for one person may not work for you. Your doctor will be able to discuss different skincare and non-surgical options for you based on what they see during an examination.

If you’re using over-the-counter vitamin C serums, just be sure to keep an eye on your skin and discontinue use of the product if you notice any redness or swelling.

Topical serums, gels, and creams have become very popular over the last few years in helping to reduce wrinkling and rejuvenate the skin, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Topical solutions take some time to produce results and those results may not be as drastic as you might be expecting, especially when compared to things like non-surgical injectable fillers.

At our Aya Medical Spa in Dallas, our team of qualified estheticians can help you determine what type of skincare regimen is best for you and can help you get that rejuvenated look you’re seeking.