5 New Cosmetic Treatments That Are Hot In Canada

When it comes to cosmetic treatments, Canadian trends closely follow those of the U.S. While traditional cosmetic surgeries continue to be popular, there are other less invasive cosmetic procedures that rose dramatically in popularity last year, according to findings from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (which represents surgeons in the U.S. and Canada). This trend, no doubt, is fuelled by the continually evolving and minimally invasive surgery technologies that can achieve great results without the extensive use of scalpel and with a quicker recovery time.

Some of the more popular treatments include:

1. Botox injections (Botulinum Toxin Type A): These popular injections block muscular nerve signals, resulting in diminished wrinkles on the forehead, and around the eyes. The most recent approved Botulinum Toxin Type A injection on the market is Dysport.
2. Liquid Facelifts / Lunchtime Lifts: A liquid facelift procedure uses dermal fillers, injections or implants to help diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. They can be used to plump up lips (a current rave among the millennials, thanks to Kylie Jenner), recontour the face and soften wrinkles. It’s a relatively painless procedure – often done in an hour (hence the nickname “lunchtime lift”) – that mimics most of the effects of the traditional face lift, but not its longevity. A liquid facelift usually lasts for a year or so.

   Restylane® Silk is the newest hyaluronic acid (a substance naturally occurring in the body) soft tissue filler to get FDA approval. Radiesse is another popular filler. This filler injectable is a water-based gel with calcium-based microspheres. What is an added bonus to this filler is its ability to stimulate natural collagen production in the body and skin as a person ages.

   Belkyra is the latest option in the growing lunchtime lift market, developed by Vancouver-based Dr. Jean Carruthers. Belkyra received approvals from Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year, and has proven fat-destroying ability. Currently it’s used mainly to trim and shape the double chin, but its fat-destroying ability makes it a promising technology for the future.

3. The “thread facelift”: The thread facelift is a relatively new procedure, developed in Paris. A thread facelift uses special “barbed” threads that are attached to tiny incisions in the targeted area, and stretched to pull up drooping skin around the cheeks, jawline, and neck. It’s much quicker, less expensive and much less invasive than the traditional facelift, but the results are not permanent, and generally recommended for younger skin.
4. Chemical Peels (aka epidermal peels): One of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of the skin damaged by sun or aging, a chemical peel uses a chemical solution to smooth the texture of the skin by removing, or burning off, the damaged outer layers. Peels, however, are not known to be very effective at treating deep facial lines or to tighten loose or sagging skin. The Vi Peel, however, is one new chemical peel getting much attention as a safe and effective treatment capable of reducing the signs of aging, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. The effects of Vi Peel are more pronounced than most chemical peels.
5. Laser and Energy Treatments. A fairly new treatment is Skin Tyte. Skin Tyte directs broad band light energy to the skin in order to tighten it and reduce signs of aging. The unique thing about Skin Tyte is that unlike some other laser treatments that work only for above the neck, Skin Tyte can be used on any part of the body, can produce changes in just one session, and has no downtime.

While traditional facelifts, breast and buttocks augmentations and liposuction procedures remain very popular, nonsurgical options and technology continue to evolve, and some experts say may eclipse surgical procedures as the go-to in cosmetic enhancement in the near future.