We hate to bring bad news, but we want to be honest: if you are looking for a facial cream that rivals surgical results, you’re going to be disappointed. This is not to say that creams or lotions are without some benefit. It does mean, however, that if you are looking for a natural facelift, BOTOX results, or other dramatic improvements normally achieved through treatment by a cosmetic surgeon, a cream is not going to cut it.
A lot of businesses are profiting from misleading advertising by making claims about “natural alternatives” to cosmetic procedures that only a doctor can provide. It’s hard not to be interested in a product that promises to give you the same results as surgery at a lower price and through “natural” methods without help from a doctor. This is in part due to the unfair stigmatization that has been placed on cosmetic procedures, the misunderstanding of words like “natural,” and people who just want to make money. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of customers end up buying really expensive moisturizers. You may think you’re getting a deal if you spend “only” $300 on a “revolutionary” something-or-other cream, but you are likely getting no more than a regular, moisturizing lotion sold in a very expensive bottle.
What does this mean for your appearance? If you aren’t already using a quality moisturizer on your face, your complexion may improve. However, just because you look better after spending $300 on that jar of cream doesn’t mean that you are getting your money’s worth. If you started with no moisturizer or a bad one, you will likely see results just as good with a cream you find under $20. Moisturizers do hydrate the scaly outer most skin layers. For a few hours this makes the complexion look better but that is all these over the counter products do. When considering creams versus cosmetic procedures like BOTOX or face lift, ask yourself what kind of a change you need to see. If you are suffering from flaky, dry skin, a cream may help you out. If your skin is sagging, your cheeks are hollow, and your features creased with wrinkles, will a cream reverse these effects? Of course not! It is not realistic to expect a cream to make these kinds of changes even a super expensive one from a fancy department store or boutique.
If you are looking for some kind of structural change, like eliminating wrinkles and hanging skin, filling in hollow areas, or making your eyes look bright and alert, a cream won’t get you far no matter how many buzz words the marketing uses. This makes sense when you think about the reasons people need facial cosmetic procedures. The effects of aging, stress, gravity, and sun exposure add up over the years and impair the actual structure of your face. For example, BOTOX for wrinkles works great because it relaxes overactive muscles that are creating wrinkles. If these muscles are causing your wrinkles, a cream that is merely absorbed into the outer most layers of your skin will not work. Those seeking alternatives to facelift through creams would do well to consider how a facelift accomplishes the dramatic improvements we see. A facelift tightens the deep plane structures of the face and removes extra skin. Again creams only penetrate the last few cell layers in the outermost part of the skin.
The Cream We Always Recommend
It may not reverse the damages and signs of aging you’ve already incurred, but we know that there is a fantastic cream available that will help prevent the signs of aging: sunscreen! Over time, our faces show the effects of sun damage through problems in complexion and texture. Protect your looks and health by finding a sunscreen that smells good and is not greasy. You will not wake up tomorrow with a new and revitalized face, but in ten years your face will thank you for protecting it.
Making an Informed Decision
We always encourage you to decide for yourself what you’ll do through research, private consultations, and finding a treatment plan that makes sense. When you evaluate before and after photos, pay special attention the lighting and camera angles to see if the photos are misleading you by changing the photography methods from unflattering to flattering effects that are superficially created by a camera. Also keep in mind that the images you see are examples of the very best results, rather than typical outcomes.
You can obtain great and natural results through surgeries like facelifts as well as nonsurgical, minimally-invasive treatments like BOTOX, Restylane, Fotofacial, and the chemical peel. There are a lot of options out there for you to sort through, so be especially careful to look out for signs of a scam. Effective treatment isn’t cheap, and it doesn’t come in the form of an overpriced magic lotion. It doesn’t promise more than it can do, and it is honest in its portrayal of results.
Contact us today to schedule your individualized private consultation with Dr. Steinsapir, whom many esteem as one of the best cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles specializing in facial treatments with natural results. He can help you find the best solution based on your individual needs and answer your questions openly and honestly.