With the number of people willing to go under the knife in the name of beauty on the decline (research from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons shows a fall in cosmetic surgical procedures of nearly 8% in 2017 YoY), there’s never been a better time to explore alternative procedures that don’t require a needle.
We checked out the latest game-changing beauty innovations letting you look your best without the fear-inducing invasive surgery.
1. The Phi Principle
Drawing on the mathematical principles of Phi (otherwise known as The Golden Ratio – a precise distancing of the features of an object, making it ‘beautiful’), a new sort of (non-surgical) facelift has been developed.
Achieving Phi is said to be the key to divine proportion and has been used to great effect throughout history in art and architecture. Put simply, the A-list worthy super symmetrical face is what Phi aims for.
At the Phi Clinic, Dr Patel applies the Phi formula to the Instagram age and uses it as the foundation of his ‘face lift,’ a procedure that uses non-surgical techniques to lift and rejuvenate the face.
Specific areas of the face are injected with Juvederm dermal filler to produce natural looking ‘lift’ that requires no invasive surgery and no downtime. The results of this innovation has been overwhelmingly positive, earning PHI CLINIC a plethora of awards including ‘Best Clinic Of The Year’.
2. Cryotherapy
Widely used amongst athletes to relieve pain and accelerate recovery time, cryotherapy has, in recent years, been adopted by the wellness industry for its numerous cosmetic benefits, which include weight loss (it is claimed you can burn up to 600 calories in one 3 minute session) and the treatment of conditions like insomnia, psoriasis and eczema.
Celebrity fans that swear by it include Cristiano Ronaldo, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba and Daniel Craig.
So what is it exactly and how does it work?
Whole Body Cyrotherapy (WBC) essentially involves standing in a very cold tank for 2-4 minutes. And by ‘very cold’, we mean sub-zero, minus -90c cold. Cold that should be unthinkable but, due to the fact that it is created by electrical technology and not affected by environmental factors like wind chill, is completely manageable and bizarrely really rather exhilarating to experience.
It works by stimulating the blood vessels: they constrict in extreme temperatures and once back to room temperature the blood rushes to the surface of your skin resulting in a rosy glow. The extreme cold also stimulates collagen synthesis and reduces inflammation on the cellular level. And the weight loss? That works by tricking your body into thinking it’s in crisis – put simply, the body burns energy and by extension calories, just to survive.
3. Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy involves the injection of a specially prepared mixture of vitamins, amino acids and medications, placed just millimetres under the skin and works by plumping and deeply hydrating the tissue, in turn softening surface lines caused by dehydrated skin.
The actual formula injected into the mesoderm (or surface layer of the skin) during Mesotherapy depends on the problem being treated.
In general, the substances used can include: a local anaesthetic, and products that may reduce inflammation and treat veins, muscle relaxants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, hormones, and hormone blockers; to name but a few.
The results are subtle but effective; this treatment isn’t designed for the removal of any scarring or sun spots, the intention is to brighten and firm your skin so that it is the best version of its regular self. One treatment will ensure that you look like you’ve slept for a week – who wouldn’t want that?
4. The 24 Hour Boob Job
We’re lovers of all boobs whatever shape, size, age etc. But, we’re also aware that not everyone is happy with what they’ve got.
Step forward Norman Rowe, a New York based plastic surgeon, playing fairy godmother to Cinderellas everywhere for one night only.
In about 20 minutes you can go from flat chested to overflowing with his InstaBreast technique – the effects of which last for only 24 hours.
The method is remarkably simple, he designates a site on the edge of each nipple and after the area is anesthetized, injects about a half litre of saline solution into the patient’s breast tissue. The saline is gradually absorbed into the bloodstream, with the full effect lasting around 24 hours.
Saline solution is considered perfectly safe, it’s the same stuff you would get in an IV if you were dehydrated. Breathing new life into the ‘try before you buy’ adage, the majority of Rowe’s patients undergo the procedure as a precursor to permanent augmentation – it provides a reality that computer imaging just can’t mimic. And a much-needed opportunity to change your mind if your new pair aren’t quite right for you.
Of course it’s not without its drawbacks: injection of any form is susceptible to infection and there is a risk of permanent stretch marks if you continually opt for the procedure over a period of time. However, as innovations in cosmetics go, this is one of the most sophisticated. Coming to a London clinic near you soon.
5. CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting was first approved by the FDA in 2010, but recently gained attention when it was rebranded as as a non-invasive alternative to liposuction. This year it’s the hot ticket on the cosmetic circuit, but how does it actually work?
Put simply, CoolSculpting adopts cryolipolysis technology to freeze unwanted fatty deposits beneath the skin which are then processed and flushed out naturally by the body.
The application is through rounded paddles which suction your skin and fat like a vacuum – all you have to do is sit back and try to ignore the mild discomfort. There is no pain, no downtime and no scarring, earning Coolsculpting the moniker of the ‘lunchtime lipo.’
Although ideal for those who carry small pockets of stubborn fat and are looking for an effective alternative to liposuction, it is not a substitute for healthy diet and exercise. Results are noticeable but subtle which means this procedure is used most effectively for body contouring rather than significant fat loss.
6. Cellfina
With our obsession with bums seemingly never ending, and more and more stories of bum lifts going awry, our love for a Kim K backside has lead to surgery alternatives hitting the mainstream.
The first FDA-approved minimally invasive cellulite procedure to target bottom and thigh dimples, Cellfina claims to reduce the appearance of ‘orange peel’ skin by 90%. Now that’s one smooth butt.
Unlike other procedures, Cellfina treats the structural cause of cellulite, breaking up networks of connective tissue bands that can lead to puckering on the skin’s surface. A session takes just 45 minutes and lasts for up to three years.
