Studies have shown that there is a major correlation between the way people feel about themselves and the way people look. In other words, people often base their self-worth and happiness off their physical appearance. Whether or not this is a healthy outlook, it’s a common one. And sometimes issues involving physical appearance are also tied to physical health concerns, such as obesity. The field of science related to these issues of appearance is known as cosmetic or aesthetic medicine.

The goal of cosmetic medicine is to improve a patient’s appearance through either invasive or non-invasive methods. For instance, botox treatment is an invasive procedure while ultherapy is non-invasive. No matter the type of treatment, most cosmetic treatments are designed to eliminate fat and other unwanted aspects of a patient’s body. Here we’ll take a look at a few of these methods of aesthetic treatment, including Botox, ultherapy, hormone replacement therapy, and coolsculpting.

Botox Treatment

Botox is shorthand for Botulinum Toxin, which has seven types listed A through G. While this toxin can be quite dangerous when ingested, types A and B of the commercialized drug can be safely used for cosmetic treatments when handled by a doctor. The most common application of Botox is in wrinkle reduction and removal. Botox essentially paralyzes the targeted muscles, preventing them from moving in ways that create or exacerbate wrinkling in the face. Within just a week of treatment over 80% of patients who undergo Botox treatment claim to see an improvement.

Ultherapy Treatment

This type of cosmetic treatment has a similar goal to Botox treatment, but it’s entirely non-invasive. Ultherapy utilizes ultrasound technology (which is commonly used for pregnant mothers to monitor the growing child) to gain an accurate view of the patient’s facial tissue while also targeting it in order to stimulate the body’s production of collagen, the skin’s main structural protein. In other words, ultherapy can remove a patient’s wrinkles and lift the skin without an injection or other invasive means. And within just an hour after treatment patients can be on their way and return to their normal activities.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Different cosmetic methods are necessary when it comes to changes beyond the face. Hormone replacement therapy, for instance, can help patients lose weight among other things, especially women who have recently undergone menopause. This type of therapy isn’t strictly designed for cosmetic purposes as it has many effects including reduction in mood swings and hot flashes, increased sex drive, and more. By taking hormones (in this case estrogen), women can counteract some of the negative effects of menopause, and at the same time improve their skin and lose weight by helping their metabolic function.

It should be noted that hormone replacement isn’t just for women. Testosterone levels in men begin to decrease as early as the age of 30. By the time most men reach the age of 50, this drop in testosterone production can be significant and cause things like decreased sex drive, depression, and weight gain. Replacing these hormones can help men look and feel better. Hormone replacement therapy is also convenient in that it’s a type of home health care, meaning it can be taken at home by the patient with a proper prescription. Trips to the doctor aren’t necessary every time a dose is needed.

Coolsculpting

A relatively new and non-invasive cosmetic procedure, Coolsculpting aims to eliminate fat cells within the body, especially in a patient’s midriff area and below the chin. This procedure reduces fat via controlled cooling. The cooling device is placed on the targeted area for a designated amount of time. During this procedure the patient can relax, watch a movie, or take a nap. And after the treatment there is no damage to the body whatsoever. This type of cosmetic treatment is young but it’s gaining popularity due to its safety and effectiveness.

It’s important to be comfortable in our own skin. The better we feel about ourselves, the better we feel about the world, and the healthier we become in mind, body, and spirit. This is why cosmetic procedures are in many ways just as important as other medical operations and treatments. These are just some of the ways professionals can help patients with their image, self-esteem, and happiness.