According to an American study on cosmetic procedures, since 1997 non-surgical procedures have gone up a stunning 461%! Additionally, since 2000 Botox has increased by 600%, soft tissue fillers 205%, and laser skin resurfacing 198%. Surprisingly, men now account for 10% of all cosmetic procedures done in the USA – an increase of 106% since 1997. Looking at these impressive statistics we can’t stop but wonder what will 2018 look like for the aesthetics industry.

As far as cosmetic procedures go, 2017 was the unofficial “Year of Plumped-Up Lips”. While lip augmentation is still on the rise, below are the most surprising trends on the horizon for the new year.

 

Medical facials

Instead of simply using scented soaps and applying masks like traditional facials, medical facials use medical (or prescription strength) ingredients like Retin-A, Vitamin C, and Alpha and Beta Hydroxy to correct aging, drying, pigmented and acneic skin.

Unlike other oxygen facials, the Intraceuticals Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen System uses therapeutic oxygen under pressure to infuse a special serum of modified hyaluronic acid, essential vitamins, botanicals, antioxidants and amino peptides to the skin. Why opt for an oxygen facial? Re-hydrated, plumped up skin in less than an hour! Once hydration is balanced the skin looks and feels healthier and more vital!

The Vampire facial uses micro-needling to administer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate collagen. This therapy involves injecting of your own platelets and fibrin in the face, hands, and neck, to treat wrinkles, acne scarring, and stretch marks. The Vampire facial is less invasive than plastic surgery, takes about 20 minutes, and the improvements lasts up to 18 months.

 

Liquid Face Lift 

The goal of a non-surgical Liquid Face Lift procedure is to lift the entire face or to contour specific facial features. Bags can be masked under the eyes by using Liquid Facelift techniques; eyes can be opened up and lids lifted; jowls can be lifted and diminished; natural shape can be restored to flattened cheeks or temple areas; corners of the mouth can be lifted; as well as several other facial feature benefits. Results are visible immediately with the fillers. The effects of Botox will take up to 10 days after which you will see a marked improvement in wrinkles.

 

4D Thread Lift

The 4D thread lift is the first of its kind in South Africa, combines the PDO threads with the Silhouette Soft threads to achieve the ultimate in non-surgical shaping and volumisation of the neck in addition to the lifting and contouring of the jawline.

To achieve the desired result, the threads used in the 4D Thread Lift uses two different techniques and two different threads types.

The threads used for volumising the neck are made of soluble PDO (polydioxanone), a material that has been used in medicine for many years, mainly in surgery. Research has shown that PDO relaxes muscles and tendons, and stimulates the production of new collagen in the skin. It also stimulates the synthesis of elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin, both of which are vital for keeping the skin looking plump and youthful.

Silhouette Soft is sometimes called the One Stitch Facelift as, unlike many other lifting treatments, it doesn’t require any incisions or multiple stitches. It normally requires a maximum of two or three entry points on each side of the face, depending on the individual circumstance.

The body naturally absorbs the threads in six to eight months; however, the effect of the treatment can last for up to two years.

Downtime after a Thread Lift treatment is minimal, but you may experience some very slight bruising or swelling in the days following your procedure and some mild tension in the areas that have been elevated.

 

Eyelid Rejuvenation

Known as blepharoplasty, eyelid rejuvenation is one of the fastest growing non-surgical procedures. In your forties and fifties, the eyes are going to be the ones showing the true signs of aging: sunken eyes and sagging skin that was never there before.

Fillers and Botox work well in this area until the amount of eyelid fat loss is too great to be replenished by fillers alone, after that Plexr comes in handy.

How does Plexr work? The device creates a series of minute dots on the targeted area on the skin, triggering an instant contraction, which tightens the skin fibres to create a lifting, and rejuvenating effect. To achieve this, it uses plasma. The ionisation of gases in the air creates a small electrical “arc” that is used to treat targeted areas without damaging surrounding areas.

The results are visible after one treatment. Some areas may require 2-3 treatments to achieve the best results. The results are instant and long lasting.

 

Vaginal Rejuvenation

The trend for “designer vaginas” is growing as women who have had children and older women want to regain lost muscle tone, tightness and pleasurable sensations in this area, as well as control their bladder muscles better. Let’s face it, practicing Kegels exercises can only get you so far but childbirth and menopause can take their toll.

How does it work? A laser is inserted into the vaginal area and controlled energy laser pulses are delivered to the vaginal tract and required areas for vaginal tightening along every one centimetre. This heats up the skin tissues and collagen in order to make the muscle fibres contract and shrink. The fibres then get shorter and thicker reducing any laxity in the area. The remodelling to collagen allows for enriched tissues as well as younger, tighter and elastic muscle fibres.

In addition to Vaginal Rejuvenation Therapy, we also offer G-spot amplification. This procedure is another growing international trend, particularly among women who’ve had children. It’s a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that temporarily augments the G-spot, with effects lasting up to four months. The procedure involves using an injectable dermal filler which is FDA approved for use in facial augmentation. In a pilot study, 87% of women surveyed after the procedure reported enhanced sexual arousal and gratification, although results do vary.

 

There you have it, 5 procedures that promise to take the spotlight in 2018. Which one is on your New Year to-do list?