In New Mexico, plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular. The top five procedures in the state include Botox injections, face lifts, tummy tucks, breast augmentations and laser skin therapies.

To learn more about each of these popular New Mexico procedures, keep reading for an in-depth explanation, including a hot tip on where to find the best plastic surgeons in the state.

Treatments for Botox

When it comes to New Mexico plastic surgery, Botox is actually the king, or queen, of all procedures. It's non-invasive, can be done in minutes, doesn't produce permanent results and costs a fraction of what a face lift would. All these factors make Botox injections the most popular New Mexico plastic surgery option during the past few years.

Botox works essentially by paralyzing the face. It's a toxic poison, though safe in small doses, and once injected, the poison attaches itself to the muscles and stops them from contracting. Those minute muscle contractions are what cause the appearance of facial wrinkles as well as their development.

A Rhytidectomy or Face Lift

A rhytidectomy, more commonly known as a face lift, is an extensive surgery that takes approximately 2 to 3 hours of surgery time and several weeks of recovery. Most New Mexico plastic surgery patients who opt for a rhytidectomy book their surgeries during a time when they can set aside 3 to 5 weeks for reclusive recovery.

Most rhytidectomy procedures cost between $7000 and $11,000 in New Mexico. However, New Mexico patients are advised to evaluate a potential surgeon based on their experience and skill, and not merely their discounted prices. Remember, a face lift is a highly visible procedure that can have long-lasting facial results, so choose your doctor cautiously.

Tummy Tucks

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to reshape, reposition and tighten the skin and muscles in the abdominal region. While an abdominoplasty can restructure a patient's abdomen, it's not recommended for overweight patients or as a substitute for eating proper nutrition.

Breast Implants

Before Botox and tummy tucks, the breast augmentation was the most popular New Mexico plastic surgery procedure. A breast augmentation works by placing a silicone or saline implant either behind or over the pectoral muscle. The implant then either improves the size or shape or both of the patient's breasts.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Therapy

Laser skin resurfacing is a revolutionary non-surgical alternative for New Mexico plastic surgery patients. The deep laser light treatment is used to diminish the appearance of scars, age spots, fine wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Prices can range from $85 for a simple, one-time basic treatment to $3000 for an extensive, full laser skin resurfacing.

Finding a Plastic Surgery Practice in New Mexico

To find a board-certified New Mexico plastic surgery professional, search the online database available on the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's website.