Not long ago, Northwestern University published its national study on what they discovered to be the safest cosmetic procedures. Based on over 20,000 procedures and treatments in the nation, researchers found that minimally invasive procedures were deemed the safest.
Doctors who participated in the study were all dermatologists, so it’s important to point out that this study did not involve operative procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. The research conducted was only regarding non-operative treatments.
Nonetheless, as with any study, it offered information and statistics.
The study was championed by Murad Alam, M.D., who practices medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is a professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The complete study was also published in JAMA Dermatology.
Science Daily was one of the first media outlets to report the news.
Its reporter, Marla Paul of Science Daily wrote, “Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, including fillers, neurotoxins, and laser and energy device procedures are exceedingly safe and have essentially no risk of serious adverse events….” She continued, “This is believed to be the first large, multi-center study that prospectively analyzed the rate of adverse events among tens of thousands of cosmetic procedures done at many centers around the United States by experienced dermatologists. These procedures are used to decrease the visible facial signs of aging.”
In the world of plastic surgery, a sample of this roster includes a neurotoxin such as Botox and fillers like Juvederm. Botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily disengaging muscle contractions whereas Juvederm adds volume to plump up wrinkles and fine lines. Generally, neurotoxins are used for the upper portion of the face whereas fillers are used for the lower portion.
The study did concur that a few patients, below one percent, experienced minimal bruising, swelling or reddening of the site treated.
Paul went on to report, “For many years, there was a perception that minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are safer than larger, more invasive cosmetic procedures. However, there was little evidence to back up this belief.”
In the study, Alam indicated, “The message for patients is that if you are thinking of getting one of these procedures, you are not indulging in something drastic or high risk.”
During a timeframe of 9 months, a total of 23 board-certified dermatologists took part in the study with research data that included a total of 20,399 procedures. To keep track of treatments, the doctors were required to enter their patient data every single day.
The data included the following:
- Type of treatment
- Treatments performed per day
- Indicating side-effects or complications
- Describing the side effects, if any
Following this, the data was collected by researchers by tallying the above information for calculations.
Paul reported, “While all the adverse rates were low, the rates for fillers at .52 percent were slightly higher than those for energy devices and neurotoxins. However, this is to be expected, the authors said because in the world of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, fillers are slightly more invasive than lasers and neurotoxins.”
During an era where individuals seek non-invasive treatments such as Botox and Juvederm, this study gave many patients, future patients, and healthcare professionals exciting insight.
Cosmetic injections, also called a liquid facelift, remain vital to board-certified plastic surgeons and their patients.
