From Botox to fillers and liposuction to facelifts, cosmetic surgery and injectable treatments have long been viewed as the ultimate solution for those looking to avoid the visible onset of ageing, acting as the eternal fountain of youth and effectively rolling back the years, as well as keeping us slim, lithe, and able to continue fitting into our favourite LBDs.
But gone are the days when patients were all too eager to go under the knife or inject just about anything that would get the job done, and as a new generation of discerning beauty enthusiasts, we’re demanding higher standards, shortened recovery times and the utmost in cutting edge developments and guaranteed longer-term results.
No longer are we willing to put our bodies through unnecessary trauma or risk taking in potentially toxic ingredients, as our expectations from cosmetic treatments are now higher than ever before.
Today, it’s all about minimally invasive treatments that offer maximum benefits, and as options improve, more people than ever are beginning to take the plunge, reassured by the constant advancements and improved prospects of today’s star procedures.
Here, we take a look at the changing face of cosmetic treatments in 2021, and the biggest trends we’ve seen this year so far, and the transformation has been remarkable.
The new retail therapy
After 18 months of being ravaged by stress, endless lockdowns and all of the other challenges that have come with recurring lockdowns and enforced social distancing, it seems that we’re all feeling ready to treat ourselves – but rather than splashing out on new clothing, shoes or handbags, we’re turning our attentions to the ultimate pick-me-up instead.
An increasing number of women are opting to treat themselves to cosmetic procedures – whether invasive or non-invasive – with injectables like Juvederm and Botox seen as a quick fix to the early signs of ageing that have made an appearance since the pandemic began.
After such a challenging time, it’s perhaps little wonder that recent events have taken a toll on our skin, and now that we’re suddenly faced with the return of social occasions and face-to-face meetings, we’re desperate to get back to looking our best. If you’ve never considered cosmetic treatments before, then you likely have this year – and with the dopamine hit that comes from splashing out on a longer-term solution promising to last longer than that of a new pair of shoes or dress, it seems cosmetic procedures have become the new retail therapy.
One of our biggest concerns after months spent shut in at home? Unwanted weight gain – and while many still remain reluctant to go under the knife, the pressure of having to diet to fit back into their favourite outfits is an added stressor that they could do without.
Non-invasive procedures like Strawberry Lipo and CoolSculpting have seen an increase in interest as we look for other, less serious ways to address the problem. CoolSculpting works by placing a vacuum applicator on the target area and works on the basis of precisely controlled cooling to target the fat cells underneath the skin. Treated fat cells are crystallised (frozen), destroyed, and then processed and eliminated from the body over time. It’s not an instant solution, but a growing number of Brits have been opting to give it a try, and some have reported promising results – though its long-term efficacy remains to be seen.
The changing face of injectables
On the subject of minimally invasive procedures, we’ve seen some considerable advances in the field of injectables in recent years, some of which have made them a more attractive prospect to those who wouldn’t previously have considered cosmetic treatments.
DAXI (short for Dax Botulinum Toxin A) is a pioneering new treatment that is currently awaiting approval but has already started to make waves amongst professionals. Offering increased longevity when compared with Botox, lasting up to six months as opposed to three or four, it is designed to allow patients to consolidate their neuromodulators into one convenient injection – rather than having to endure multiple different filler treatments to achieve the desired effect.
We’ve already seen improvements in the formulation of popular injectables in recent years, with concerns over toxicity serving as the driving force towards creating products that are considered safer options to long-term use. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid – as seen in Juvederm – have brought with them increased client confidence as well as improved results – and DAXI could be the next step.
The bottom line
As we continue to demand more from our treatments, advancements are ensuring that they can deliver – and cosmetic procedures and treatments are now more popular than ever before. Forever eager to retain our youthful looks, it seems that we’re coming around to the idea that treatments like these don’t have to be dramatic or scary. Looking our best just got easier, and in many cases, a little safer – but be sure to do your research before taking the plunge.
