Many plastic surgery treatments require days, weeks and sometimes months for recovery. Yet in this instant gratification society, there are some skin treatments that can be performed on a Friday and you’ll be back in the office on Monday looking fresh-faced. You can tell your colleagues your glow is thanks to a restful weekend. Your secret’s safe with us!
Chemical Peel
What is it? More substantial than at-home exfoliation, but still requiring minimal downtime, a light chemical peel usually uses alpha-hydroxy or something similar to gently slough off skin—leaving a smoother, brighter layer underneath.
Time commitment: This in-office treatment can be done on a lunch hour, but the skin will slough off over several days. You’ll need to avoid sun exposure and wear a SPF lotion post-treatment.
Fractura
What is it? Fractura utilizes microneedles that have a radiofrequency to heat the collagen, which helps with skin tone and texture.
Time commitment: There may be a little swelling and redness following the procedure, but not enough to keep you away from the start of the work week.
Radiofrequency Treatments
What is it? Radiofrequency treatments involve making a small incision and inserting a probe under the skin to heat up the area where you want to tighten up skin.
Time commitment: Dr. Roberta Gartside of New Image Plastic Surgery notes a patient could have the procedure done on a Friday and be back to work on Monday, as long as their work isn’t physical. “You have to sit back and wait (for results),” she says. “It takes six-12 months for your body to process the healing in order to see the results you are going to get. Those are typically one time procedures” with results lasting up to two years.
Threading
What is it? Loose skin of the neck and cheeks or early jowling can be eased with a threading procedure where a reabsorbable suture material is passed under the skin under local anesthesia in the office.
Time commitment: “It helps tighten the skin and that can be done on a weekend of recovery, and you show up on Monday at work and nobody would know that you had anything done other than your skin looks tauter,” Dr. James Bruno of Bruno/Brown Plastic Surgery, says.
This post originally appeared in our April 2019 issue. Subscribe to the magazine here.
