Non-Surgical Skin Care in San Diego Gets Boost with Economic Downturn

According to a San Diego dermatologist, women and men who want to rejuvenate their appearance are turning to more affordable, minimally-invasive skin treatments and delaying their decisions to have cosmetic surgery.

The slumping economy is affecting practically all sectors, from housing and transportation to food and clothing. One San Diego dermatologist has noticed a significant shift toward patients considering non-surgical options to make it more affordable to look their best and delay more costly surgical procedures. At Dr. Susan Stewart’s dermatology practice near San Diego, Fraxel® skin care, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and popular injectables (a full list is available at http://www.lajollaskin.com/injectables-fillers.cfm) are helping patients weather the downturn in style.

While her observations aren’t scientific, Dr. Stuart has seen more patients in recent months who are interested in professional skin care that can give many of the benefits of cosmetic surgery at a fraction of the cost. These observations are in line with national news stories that suggest women and men are delaying cosmetic procedures or stretching out the decision-making process.

“The underlying goal, I don’t see that changing,” says Dr. Stuart, medical director of La Jolla Dermatology. “People still want to look their very best. But they are realizing that they have new ways to get there — using BOTOX Cosmetic instead of a brow lift, for instance, or learning about what some doctors call a ‘liquid facelift’ — injectable treatments like Restylane to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the lower face.”

Dr. Stuart is careful to note that while some cosmetic surgery practices have slowed, the blip is surely only temporary. “I have seen remarkable results with the professional skin care in San Diego that I provide. But skin treatments have only so much ability to reverse the effects of aging. For most people, the underlying structures of the skin and face will need to be addressed at some point.”

Only a decade ago, people who felt that cosmetic surgery would not fit their budget had very few alternatives. It is always important that people take good care of their skin, but the huge increase in popularity of BOTOX Cosmetic and other injectables like Restylane means that La Jolla residents now have a way to improve their look for several months at a time. In addition, newer laser treatments like Fraxel are helping eliminate wrinkles and restore skin vibrancy in a way that at-home products never could.

“A lot of my new patients are seeing medical spa services as a stopgap measure before they get cosmetic surgery,” adds Dr. Stuart. “I think they will also realize that even after surgery — whenever they decide the time is right — scheduling regular La Jolla Restylane or BOTOX Cosmetic treatments will help them keep their rejuvenated look much longer.”

While no one knows how long the economic downturn and tough fiscal environment will last, it appears that many people are able to weather these worrying times while still finding a way to enjoy smooth, youthful-looking skin.

Dr. Susan Stuart is the founder and medical director of La Jolla Dermatology (www.lajollaskin.com). An award-winning San Diego dermatologist board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Stuart is a leading expert in laser surgery and dermatology with over 15 years of experience in cosmetic, laser and medical dermatology. Selected as one of America’s top physicians in dermatology, she has appeared on news shows on NBC, ABC and San Diego’s KUSI. At La Jolla Dermatology, Dr. Stuart and her team of licensed aestheticians and registered nurses offer men and women seeking a dermatologist in San Diego state of the art technologies and treatments.