Non-invasive cosmetic surgery is a term used to describe medical procedures to enhance a person's appearance that do not require the use of scalpels or general anesthesia. While these procedures may not offer the very dramatic effects that more invasive surgeries do, they can significantly enhance or correct a person's appearance without the cost or risk that accompanies many different types of more serious aesthetic surgery. Some physicians who are not plastic surgeons or dermatologists may even offer some of these procedures in their offices. In some cases, non-physicians, including registered nurses or medical aestheticians, can perform non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures under the supervision of a doctor. These procedures may include injections of collagen or Botox, microdermabrasion and laser treatments.
While many people may associate cosmetic surgery with rhinoplasty or face lifts, two procedures that typically require patients to undergo general anesthesia and spend weeks in recovery, there are countless other procedures that do not require that patients undertake such risks or even spend time in the hospital. In many cases, noninvasive cosmetic surgery is performed in a doctor's office or stand-alone clinic, and patients can return home the same day that they undergo the procedure. This is because patients typically do not experience any cutting of their skin, nor do they need stitches or monitoring as they come out of heavy anesthesia. In fact, some of the treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing or many cellulite treatments, do not require the use of any type of anesthesia or may be performed with only the use of a topical anesthetic. These procedures are often far less costly than hospital-based procedures, making them an affordable option for those who can't afford to spend large amounts of money on plastic surgery.
It should be noted that there are risks inherent in non-invasive cosmetic surgery treatments. For example, some people may be very sensitive to the use of lasers on their skin and may experience some considerable irritation as a result. There is also the chance of scarring. Some non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures, such as cellulite treatments that involve the injection of certain chemicals into the skin, may trigger allergic reactions. Other non-invasive procedures, such as those that involve vacuum heat rollers to help remove body fat, can cause bruising and swelling to the skin. As such, patients who wish to undergo these treatments should talk to their doctor about possible complications and side effects and take these risks seriously.
