What if you could give your loved ones a gift that would make them look and feel their best for months, or even years, to come? There is such a gift, and it has become an increasingly popular option. You won’t find this gift in the aisles of your local store.

This is a gift that can really change someone’s life!

Plastic surgeons continue to see a growing number of people giving gift certificates redeemable for everything from dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles to breast augmentation and more. What better reward to give a dear mother, friend, girlfriend, or even yourself, than a gift of renewed youth and vigor redeemable through plastic surgery?

Even in tough economic times, the market for cosmetic procedures remains strong.

Check out this list of common cosmetic surgery procedures to see if any are right for someone you love. They will thank you.

Most Common and Popular Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery Treatments to Combat Aging:

* Dermal Fillers – Dermal fillers are great for reducing wrinkles, lines, and regaining a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers are a good first step in anti-aging skin care treatments. Non-invasive, quick and easy on the patient, dermal fillers are popular with active people. Choose from a variety of dermal fillers. Derma fillers are all injectable materials used to remove wrinkles and fine lines. The most popular are Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse. Treatments are done in the doctor’s office and can be done during a person’s lunch hour with no downtime. Results typically last six to 18 months, depending on the type of filler used and the individual patient.

* Fraxel – A more aggressive treatment than dermal fillers, Fraxel laser treatment helps reverse or eliminate sun damage, acne scars, age spots, and other skin blemishes. Skin treatments using the Fraxel laser also significantly reduce pore size and greatly improve the overall texture of the skin. Fraxel treatments are performed on small areas of skin, which are then tightened as they heal. Fraxel is especially indicated for the treatment of delicate skin such as that around the eyes. Not as invasive as an eye lift, Fraxel laser skin treatment can produce magnificent results, significantly improving the appearance around the larger eyes. The skin is tighter, firmer, smoother.

* Facelift – Technically known as a rhytidectomy, a facelift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the face by removing excess skin, tightening facial tissues, trimming fat, and sculpting the face for a more youthful appearance. A well-done facelift will look natural, not tight, scarred, or “pulled.” A facelift may be performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a brow lift, forehead lift, or cosmetic eyelid surgery to complement the rejuvenation process. Facelifts are extremely popular cosmetic surgery options, but they are not an overnight solution.

* Liposuction: a cosmetic surgery in which fat is carefully suctioned out of the body. It is designed to provide a better contour of specific areas such as the abdomen or things. Liposuction is not designed to remove large amounts of fat and should not be viewed as a weight loss solution for the entire body. Men typically undergo liposuction on their tummy, love handles, chest, and chin. In women, liposuction is most often performed on the hips, love handles, thighs, calves, and arms. Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck, breast reduction, or face or neck lift. Modern forms of ultrasonic and laser liposuction are designed to increase fat removal and provide more precision to the sculpting process. The results of laser liposuction and ultrasonic laser liposuction depend very much on the skill of the individual surgeon. Dr. Brou has many satisfied patients with body contouring.

* Abdominoplasty – Formally known as a tummy tuck, tummy tucks are surgical procedures performed to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin resulting from pregnancy or massive weight loss. Small hernias, stretch marks, and old surgical scars from a hysterectomy, C-section, or appendectomy can sometimes be removed with a tummy tuck. For best results, the patient must have reached an ideal weight. Liposuction is a great complement to this procedure, as it allows for greater contouring and slimming of the abdomen, as well as the removal of love handles and fat around the waist.

* Breast Augmentation – The many forms of breast augmentation continue to be the number one cosmetic surgical procedure women undergo. Breast augmentation will increase the size and improve the shape of a woman’s breasts. The goals are to balance a woman’s figure to match her hips and to make clothing fit her better, as well as to correct a significant asymmetry or difference in size between the breasts. Many women also seek augmentation to restore fullness and volume that has been lost after pregnancy, nursing, or major weight loss. Specifically, what type of breast augmentation a woman has depends on many factors and should be discussed with her plastic surgeon. A variety of materials and methods are available.

Any cosmetic surgery treatment must be well thought out beforehand. To get quality results, you must first ask yourself the right questions and do some research. What results do you want to achieve? There are many roads to get there and only you and a qualified cosmetic doctor

Whether you plan to give a gift certificate for a cosmetic procedure, or perform one yourself, choosing the right surgeon is critical. Look for a doctor who is board certified in a specialty that is relevant to the procedure. Find someone who is compassionate and cares about the end result. Beware of a doctor who doesn’t seem to listen to your requests or who becomes uncomfortable or defensive when you ask questions. You should also ask to see before and after photos of previous patients. These usually represent the doctor’s best work.