Aesthetic Laser Treatments

Non-invasive procedures proving popular: the Facts about Lasers

• In the hot field of cosmetic surgery, look for advances this year in the use of lasers for everything from improving the appearance of that dreaded cellulite to removing gray hair.
• Botox treatments and soft tissue fillers such as Restylane will continue to be popular in the Pittsburgh market as consumers opt for so-called "lunchtime procedures" that are less invasive and require less recovery time than a face lift or liposuction.
• "If you subdivide procedures into surgical vs. nonsurgical, nonsurgical procedures are booming," said Dr. Leo McCafferty, a Pittsburgh plastic surgeon and a spokesman for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
• The number of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed has risen 1,504 percent from 1992 to 2003, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with 1.8 million procedures performed in 2003.
• They are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in human skin.
• Restylane is an alternative to collagen injections, and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery predicts that it will surpass collagen this year as the most popular injectable cosmetic treatment.
• A syringe of Restylane or other hyaluronic acid product might cost $500 or up, while the national average surgeon fee is around $373 for collagen, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

To avoid this, consumers should ask their doctors to check the Botox bottle and should make sure their doctors are certified to administer it. A few local practices have started performing Thermage, one of the newest treatments available.

• How does a laser work?
• What is a vascular lesion?
• What is a pigmented lesion?
• Are laser treatments safe?
• Do treatments for skin lesions hurt?
• What other skin conditions can lasers treat?
• How many treatments are required?
• What results can you expect?
• More FAQs on Laser Treatments