The world of aesthetic medicine offers a wide array of treatments designed to enhance your natural beauty and address specific cosmetic concerns. From smoothing wrinkles to sculpting your physique, an aesthetic doctor has the expertise to help you achieve your goals with precision and care. If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, understanding what’s available is the first step.
This guide will walk you through twelve popular procedures that aesthetic doctors perform. We’ll explore what each treatment involves, who it’s best suited for, and what kind of results you can expect. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how aesthetic medicine can help you look and feel your best, empowering you to make informed decisions about your own aesthetic journey.
What is Aesthetic Medicine?
Before we explore the procedures, it’s helpful to understand what an aesthetic doctor does. Aesthetic medicine is a specialized field focused on improving cosmetic appearance through non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments. These doctors are trained medical professionals who combine their knowledge of anatomy and medicine with a keen artistic eye. They use advanced techniques and technologies to achieve results that are both safe and natural-looking, helping patients enhance their appearance without the need for major surgery.
Popular Aesthetic Procedures
Here are 12 common treatments you can receive from a qualified aesthetic doctor.
1. Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox)
Botulinum toxin, widely known by brand names like Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®, is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments worldwide. It’s a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes muscles, making it highly effective for treating dynamic wrinkles—the lines formed by repeated facial expressions.
- What it treats: Forehead lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, and frown lines between the eyebrows.
- How it works: The doctor injects small amounts of the toxin into specific facial muscles. This blocks the nerve signals that cause the muscles to contract, allowing the skin to relax and smooth out.
- What to expect: The procedure is quick, often lasting just 10-15 minutes, with minimal discomfort. Results typically appear within 3-7 days and last for about 3-4 months.
2. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers from Kelly Oriental Aesthetic are gel-like substances, most commonly made from hyaluronic acid, that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial contours. They are incredibly versatile and can address a range of concerns.
- What it treats: Plumping thin lips, softening nasolabial folds (smile lines), enhancing cheekbones, filling under-eye hollows, and improving jawline definition.
- How it works: The filler is strategically injected into the target area to add volume and structure. Hyaluronic acid also attracts water, which helps to hydrate and plump the skin from within.
- What to expect: Results are immediate and can last from 6 months to over a year, depending on the type of filler and the area treated.
3. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure where a chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is typically smoother, less wrinkled, and more even in tone.
- What it treats: Fine lines, sun damage, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture.
- How it works: Peels come in different strengths—light, medium, and deep—depending on the active ingredients (like glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid). The solution removes the outer layers of damaged skin, stimulating collagen production and revealing healthier skin underneath.
- What to expect: Downtime varies with the peel’s depth. Light peels may cause mild redness for a few hours, while deep peels require several weeks of recovery.
4. Microneedling (Collagen Induction Therapy)
Microneedling uses a device with fine, tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process triggers the body’s natural healing response, boosting collagen and elastin production.
- What it treats: Acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, stretch marks, and uneven skin texture.
- How it works: A pen-like device or roller is passed over the skin, creating thousands of microscopic punctures. This stimulates the production of new collagen, which helps to firm and smooth the skin over time. It can also be combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for enhanced results.
- What to expect: The skin will be red and sensitive for a day or two, similar to a mild sunburn. A series of treatments is usually recommended for optimal results, which appear gradually over several weeks.
5. Laser Hair Removal
For those tired of shaving, waxing, or plucking, laser hair removal offers a long-term solution. It uses concentrated beams of light to destroy hair follicles, preventing future hair growth.
- What it treats: Unwanted hair on the face, legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, and other areas.
- How it works: The laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. This light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicle and inhibits its ability to grow hair.
- What to expect: Multiple sessions (typically 6-8) are needed to target hair in different growth cycles. The treatment is most effective on dark hair and light skin, though newer lasers can work on a wider range of skin tones.
6. Body Sculpting (Non-Invasive Fat Reduction)
Non-invasive body sculpting procedures are designed to reduce stubborn pockets of fat and contour the body without surgery. Popular methods include cryolipolysis and radiofrequency treatments.
- What it treats: Unwanted fat on the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, and under the chin.
- How it works:
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- Cryolipolysis (e.g., CoolSculpting®): Freezes fat cells to the point of destruction. The body then naturally eliminates these dead cells over several weeks.
- Radiofrequency (e.g., SculpSure®): Uses heat to destroy fat cells.
- What to expect: These treatments are best for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but struggle with specific fat pockets. Results develop gradually over 2-3 months.
7. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial
IPL, or a photofacial, is a light-based therapy that targets pigment issues in the skin. Unlike lasers, which use a single wavelength of light, IPL uses a broad spectrum to treat multiple conditions at once.
- What it treats: Sun spots, age spots, freckles, rosacea, broken capillaries, and general redness.
- How it works: The light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by melanin (in dark spots) or hemoglobin (in red blood cells), causing them to break down. The body then clears away these fragments, leading to a more even complexion.
- What to expect: The procedure involves minimal downtime. A series of 3-5 treatments is often recommended for the best outcome.
8. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses focused light beams to remove the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heat the underlying layer (dermis), which stimulates collagen growth. It’s a powerful tool for significant skin rejuvenation.
- What it treats: Wrinkles, scars (from acne or injury), sun damage, and uneven skin tone and texture.
- How it works: There are two main types:
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- Ablative lasers (e.g., CO2, Erbium): Remove thin layers of skin with high precision.
- Non-ablative lasers (e.g., Fraxel®): Heat the underlying skin tissue to stimulate collagen production without removing the surface layer.
- What to expect: Recovery depends on the laser type. Ablative lasers require more downtime (1-2 weeks), while non-ablative lasers have minimal recovery.
9. Thread Lifts
A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses temporary, medical-grade sutures to provide a subtle but visible “lift” in the skin. It also helps promote collagen production for longer-term benefits.
- What it treats: Sagging skin in the cheeks, jowls, neck, and brow area.
- How it works: Barbed or cone-shaped threads are inserted into the deeper layers of the skin. The barbs anchor onto the skin, and the doctor then lifts and repositions the skin. The threads dissolve over time, but the collagen they stimulate helps maintain the lift.
- What to expect: The procedure is relatively quick, with results that are immediate and continue to improve over several months. The lift can last for 1-3 years.
10. Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy is the gold-standard treatment for eliminating small varicose veins and spider veins. It’s a safe and effective procedure that has been used for decades.
- What it treats: Spider veins and small varicose veins, primarily on the legs.
- How it works: An aesthetic doctor injects a special solution (a “sclerosant”) directly into the unwanted vein. This solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to collapse and stick together. Over time, the vein turns into scar tissue and fades from view.
- What to expect: Multiple veins can be treated in one session. The treated veins typically fade within a few weeks, though sometimes it can take a month or more to see the full result.
11. Kybella® (Deoxycholic Acid) Injections
Kybella® is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment used to destroy fat cells under the chin, reducing the appearance of a “double chin.”
- What it treats: Submental fullness (fat beneath the chin).
- How it works: Kybella’s active ingredient is a synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat under the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells, and once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat.
- What to expect: Most patients require multiple treatments (up to 6) spaced at least one month apart to achieve their desired results. Swelling and bruising are common side effects.
12. PRP for Hair Restoration
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising non-surgical treatment for hair loss. It uses the patient’s own blood to stimulate hair growth in thinning areas.
- What it treats: Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness).
- How it works: A small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, creating a concentrated PRP solution. This solution, rich in growth factors, is then injected into the scalp where hair is thinning. These growth factors help stimulate dormant hair follicles and promote new hair growth.
- What to expect: The procedure is considered safe since it uses the patient’s own biological material. A series of treatments is required, and maintenance sessions are often needed to sustain the results.
Your Next Step in Aesthetic Medicine
Exploring aesthetic procedures can be an exciting step toward achieving your personal cosmetic goals. Whether you’re interested in smoothing fine lines, enhancing your facial contours, or improving your skin’s overall health, a qualified aesthetic doctor can provide a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
The key to a successful outcome is choosing a skilled, board-certified practitioner who understands your vision and prioritizes your safety. We recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and learn which treatments are right for you. This collaborative approach will ensure you feel confident and cared for every step of the way.
