Cosmetic surgery is an ideal, effective way to enhance your curves and silhouette while also 
improving your confidence and the way you feel about your appearance. Finding an experienced cosmetic surgeon is your first step toward achieving long-lasting results from surgery, but your lifestyle can also influence the longevity of your results.
While factors such as your age, genes, and medical history do play important roles in how long cosmetic surgery results can last, lifestyle factors such as your skin care regimen, sun exposure, diet, and activity level are also important. Make an appointment with GLOW Surgical Arts to learn more about cosmetic surgery procedures that will work best for you based on your lifestyle.
Want to make the most of your cosmetic procedure? Here are five keys to making your results stand the test of time.
1. Stop smoking
Smoking decreases your body’s oxygen levels, impairs circulation, and increases your exposure to free radicals — which affects collagen production and prevents your skin from repairing itself. Smoking also promotes the development of wrinkles around your mouth due to repeated puckering.
Your cosmetic surgeon will instruct you to stop smoking before and after surgery. If you experience difficulty with quitting, join one or more smoking cessation programs that can help you kick your habit indefinitely.
2. Protect your skin from the sun
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to sun damage, which makes scarring more pronounced — especially during the first year after surgery. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and clothing to protect exposed skin, or wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to lower your risk for sun damage.
For example, if you’ve recently had tummy tuck surgery, wear a shirt that covers your abdominal region when spending time in the sun to minimize the appearance of your incision.
3. Use medical-grade skin care products
Professional, medical-grade skin care products often contain high levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and other active ingredients that promote collagen production and help minimize fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes. Avoid buying over-the-counter skin care products, and ask your cosmetic surgeon for recommendations on products that can help prolong your cosmetic surgery results.
Additionally, consider facial rejuvenation treatments such as microneedling, dermal fillers, and cosmetic injectables that can help refresh and rejuvenate your skin and overall appearance.
4. Improve your nutrition
Healthy whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, low-fat dairy, and sources of lean protein and omega-3s, are loaded with vitamins and nutrients your body needs to improve immune system function, which aids in your body’s healing process. These foods also help keep your skin vibrant, plump, and youthful-looking, and combat the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
Stay away from processed foods, as well as foods high in fat and sugar, which can accelerate aging and slow down your body’s natural healing processes.
5. Exercise regularly
Combine regular exercise with good nutrition to maintain a healthy, normal weight following any cosmetic procedure. Weight gain often results in loss of skin elasticity and the stretching of your skin, which can negatively affect results from cosmetic surgery. Even if you lose excess weight gained following a procedure, your skin can appear saggy and droopy — compromising the effects of surgery.
Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods to make your results from surgery last as long as possible. Being proactive with your skin care and health go a long way in ensuring you get the most from your cosmetic procedure.
GLOW Surgical Arts offers a variety of cosmetic surgery and minimally invasive procedures to help you look and feel beautiful! Request a consultation today, and improve your appearance with breast surgery, body contouring, or facial rejuvenation.
