Battling the clock.
(Shane Kato/iStockphoto)
No one likes looking older...which is why we spend billions of dollars every year on over-the-counter products, prescription creams and fillers, and, most drastically, cosmetic surgery. Do any of these actually work to reduce the signs of aging? In many cases, yes—at least temporarily. But given the not-inconsiderable costs (and in the case of surgery and some procedures, the risks), it's important to be smart in your choices.
How to find a doctor? Dermatologists can prescribe skin creams and perform laser skin-resurfacing and chemical peels, and they can administer injections. Surgical procedures, meantime, can be performed by cosmetic and plastic surgeons, and some ear, nose, and throat doctors (otolaryngologists). A good first step is to make sure that the doctor is board-certified by the appropriate organization (the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and American Board of Otolaryngology, for instance). Check with your state medical board to see if the doctor has complaints on file. When you pick a doctor, ask how often and how frequently he or she performs the procedure that you're having (weekly is better than monthly). If the doc works from an outpatient surgical center, ask whether he or she has hospital privileges should any problems arise during your surgery.
Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular treatments and procedures.
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reoxewly of SC 2:35PM June 18, 2013
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