Cosmetic procedures are on the rise in Ireland and people who may have previously eschewed such treatments are now plumping for them on a regular basis.
The demand for quick, easy, non-surgical procedures with minimal downtime, particularly injectable treatments, laser therapies and non-invasive fat-reduction treatments, is certainly on the up, according to Prof Caitriona Ryan, consultant dermatologist and co-founder at the Institute of Dermatologists. Both she and Dr Peter Prendergast, cosmetic surgeon and founder of Venus Medical, talk us through five of the most popular treatments right now.
Botox:
“There has been an exponential increase in the use of Botox over the past decade in Ireland. Even in the midst of the recession, Botox sales continued to rise. Typically, when patients first come to see me, their primary concern is that they will look frozen and that people will know they’ve had Botox. The effects of Botox should be subtle and leave a patient looking fresher and more relaxed but they should not lose the ability to make normal facial expressions.
“Patients often now start Botox treatments in their late 20s or early 30s for prevention. The theory is that by starting Botox earlier, inhibition of certain expressions prevents the worsening of wrinkles. The optimal age to commence Botox varies considerably in patients but is not recommended until permanent wrinkles are visible at rest. I have seen a significant rise in the number of men in their 40s to 60s attending my clinic for Botox in the past three years too,” says Professor Ryan.
Thread lifts and minimally invasive facelifts:
“There are myriad beauty treatments touted as ‘non-surgical facelift’ but most of them are ineffective. It is important that patients understand their options and the pros and cons of each, which is why the consultation is so important. The thread lift market can be confusing: there are many different types, some have barbs, some have cones, some have neither. Some are secured, while others are ‘free floating’, and some dissolve and some don’t. It’s best to speak to your doctor to understand the best option for you.
“In my experience, combination approaches yield the best, natural-looking results. In my practice, for lifting the face I use a type of lifting I devised called the one-stitch facelift. I also use facial volume if appropriate, and a new technology called Facetite and Necktite. These are all performed under local anaesthesia with minimal downtime,” says Dr Prendergast
Cryolipolysis:
“Cryolipolysis, or ‘fat-freezing’ has become increasingly popular in Ireland in recent years. This non-invasive procedure permanently eliminates stubborn diet and exercise-resistant fat deposits on the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, love handles, double chin and fatty tissue of the breasts in men. Approximately half of the patients we treat at the institute are men. We now use ZLipo-Zwave, the newest technology in fat-reduction and cellulite treatment,” says Prof Ryan.
Fillers for facial contouring:
“They are usually very safe substances, sterile gels consisting of hyaluronic acid that is found in the body anyway. Fillers are injected under local anaesthetic to areas of the face to reintroduce volume to the face. In women, it can be rejuvenating to put some volume into the cheeks of the mid face and it improves the curve of the face. You see people with swollen, unnatural-looking cheeks, particularly among celebrities and people think that’s inevitable, it’s not. That is down to overuse by doctors who shouldn’t be injecting it into people. They may well have body dysmorphic disorder, where they are trying to perfect imperceptible lines or wrinkles where they don’t exist,” Dr Prendergast says.
PRP injections:
“Another procedure made famous by the Kardashians that has greatly increased in popularity is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP is extracted from a patient’s own blood and re-injected into the skin where growth factors increase collagen and elastin production and stem cell proliferation to rejuvenate, brighten and tighten the skin, while reducing wrinkles. It helps to tighten sagging skin around the eyes, face, neck and chest and can be used to promote hair growth in women and men with female and male pattern hair loss,” says Prof Ryan.
The top five treatments for men, according to Dr Prendergast are: Botox, male breast reduction with VASER for gynaecomastia, fillers under eyes, liposculpture on the abdomen and miraDry for underarm sweating