A recent study conducted by Northwestern Medicine® analyzed more than 20,000 procedures categorized as “minimally invasive.” This study included fillers, neurotoxins, and laser energy devices used to improve the outward appearance and texture of aging and scarred skin. The study, which was designed to settle the question of the safety of these minimally invasive procedures, conclusively proved that there was virtually no risk of adverse side effects to patients choosing to undergo these treatments.
Comprehensive Study
Although previous studies have been conducted on the use of minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, they have typically been small studies, consisting of doctors examining their own data and determining the severity of side effects based on their own, potentially faulty, recollection of facts.
The Northwestern study, led by Dr. Murad Alam, M.D., is believed to be the first large, multi-center study of this kind, which took a long look at thousands of procedures performed at multiple centers across the country. Doctors collected data from 20,399 procedures performed by 23 board certified dermatologists around the United States at eight individual centers. Both private and institutional outpatient centers were examined.
To account for seasonal variation in procedures, the information collected was taken from facilities over a three-month period, staggered over nine months.
The physicians participating in the study were asked to enter information into a central database daily, including the number of procedures performed, types of procedures, if any complications occurred, and the nature of those complications. This data was then gathered and reviewed.
Minimal Side Effects
The study found that minimally invasive procedures performed by experienced dermatologists had minor side effects occurring approximately 1% of the time. These side effects included bruising, redness, swelling, changes in texture, or darkening of the skin.
Many of these side effects, when they did occur, were temporary and would often resolve on their own with time, leaving no lasting damage.
These findings confirm the belief that dermatologists have long had, that these minimally invasive outpatient procedures are indeed safe, allowing patients to combine procedures for optimal results.
Visit Boulder Plastic Surgery Today to Learn More
Patients interested in learning more about the minimally invasive procedures offered at Boulder Plastic Surgery are encouraged to contact our office at (303) 578-4193 to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons and learn more about these minimally invasive procedures and how they could benefit you.