Lunch Break Cosmetic Procedures
Cutting out carbs may be as simple as skipping the sandwich cart and popping into a qualified plastic surgeon’s office or spa for a “lunch break” cosmetic procedure. Even in tough economic times, such minimally-invasive treatments are popular with consumers.
Lunch break cosmetic procedures are popular, in part, because:
- You can get in, get out & get on your way
- Little recovery &/or down time is required
- Results are noticeable almost instantly
- Treatment is often minimally invasive
- Procedures are performed quickly
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of what are often considered lunch break cosmetic procedures keeps rising year after year. So, if you’d skip lunch to get Botox injections or microdermabrasion treatments, you’re not alone.
Some of the most common and compelling lunch break cosmetic procedures include:
- Lunch Hour Facelifts (quick lifts and peels)
- Facial Rejuvenation (dermal fillers and injections)
- Lip Augmentation or Enhancement
- Small Area Laser Hair Removal
- Permanent/Cosmetic Makeup
If you want fewer wrinkles/fine lines, fuller lips and a more refreshed look – in less than 1 hr. – read on. We’ll briefly discuss the majority of those topics here and you can learn even more by browsing our website for additional information on each procedure.
Lunch Hour Facelifts
The following procedures can offer facelift like results in less than 1 hr. and require less invasive techniques than a full face lift. They’re helpful if you want some “work” done, but not a lot.
Lunch break cosmetic procedures which offer facelift like results include:
- Liquid Facelift
- IPL Photo Facials
- SwiftLift & Lifestyle Lift
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical Peels
Here, we’ll discuss IPL Photo Facials.
An Intense Pulsed Light or IPL fotofacial can make skin look more radiant, fresh and flawless. Sessions average 30 min. for spot treatment to address hyperpigmentation and correct imperfections while rejuvenating the skin.
If you have any of the following on your chest, neck or face, an IPL fotofacial may help:
- Acne or other scarring
- Age/brown spots or rosacea
- Bags, wrinkles &/or sun damage
- Unwanted hair growth in small areas
Skin can be tender and look pinkish after IPL treatment. SPF will be applied along with a dusting of loose powder. Down time and recovery are minimal, so you should be able to go straight back to work. Multiple sessions are often required for optimal results.
Facial Rejuvenation
We’re not afraid to say it – wrinkles and fine lines aren’t really all that attractive. If you’re looking to kick crow’s feet, wrinkles and fine lines to the curb, try one of these lunch time cosmetic procedures:
- Botox® Injections – to banish crow’s feet, frown lines, and wrinkles
- Dermal Fillers – all of the above and more (ex: Juvederm® & Radiesse®)
- Restylane – to fill in wrinkles, folds, fine lines & even plump up lips
Originally used to rid the face of creases between the brows, Botox® has come a long way. It’s currently used to banish crow’s feet, frown lines and wrinkles across the face for 4 to 6 mos. It’s even being used to offer benefits like those typical of a brow lift.
Dermal fillers take many forms and results can last up to 12 mos. Two of those mentioned here, Juvederm® and Radiesse®, fall into the hyaluronic acid dermal filler category and are among the most popular with our readers.
Restylane is also a dermal filler. This gel product is said to reduce the appearance of laugh lines for up to 18 mos. It’s commonly used to fill in and add volume beneath the skin, reducing the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds.
Lip Augmentation or Enhancement
We can’t all be Angelina Jolie or Halle Berry. But, we can do our best to replicate the celebrity looks we covet most. Thin, barely-there lips simply don’t make headlines. And over-the-counter cosmetics can cause tingling and other, unpleasant side effects.
The following treatments can help you get plumper, fuller lips in practically no time:
- Collagen Injections – an animal protein product (a.k.a. bovine collagen)
- Fat Injections – fat transfer without allergic reaction via microlipoinjection
- Restylane – a non-animal protein product
Fat injections have been shown to provide longer lasting – and sometimes permanent – results. Dermal fillers (ex: collagen and Restylane) can be expected to keep your lips looking lush for approximately 6 mos. In many cases, candidates must be 21+.
Permanent/Cosmetic Makeup
This process is known as micropimentation, with organic pigment deposited below the skin’s surface to give you color that lasts. It’s like facial tattooing with a fine needle or pen-and-ink technique – for a look that can’t be washed, rubbed or kissed away.
Permanent makeup can:
- Make up your entire face
- Give you permanent eyeliner
- Fill in & define your eyebrows
- Define & add color to your lips
- Camouflage scars (a.k.a. cosmetic camouflage)
Results are irreversible, so it’s important to consult with a certified and experienced permanent makeup professional. Ask to see permanent cosmetics before and after photos prior to scheduling an appointment. Ask about risks and benefits, too.
Making the Most of Your Lunch Break
Our motto, when it comes to lunch break cosmetic procedures, is: “Be prepared”.
Depending on where you work and whether you’re the head honcho, some procedures may not fit into your lunch-time routine. But, they’re still worth mentioning. Laser skin resurfacing is one such procedure. In some cases, it can be completed in as little as 30 min. In others, it can take 2 hrs. or more.
Before scheduling a lunch time cosmetic procedure, ask your plastic surgeon for a realistic idea of how long it will take. Ask if you need to show up early to prep or stay behind to recover. Find out if you can wash your face and/or apply makeup afterward and whether you may experience pain, swelling, redness or other tell-tale signs.
Then get a little something to nosh on because a girl’s gotta eat, right? Bon appétit!