

There was a time not too long ago when the talk around plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancements were seen as taboo and only for a select group of people. But if you look around at the selfie-forward, #nofilter culture we’ve entered in, those days are long gone.
Sometimes we want a little snatch here and a slight lift there without going under the knife and spending weeks in recovery. From fillers to peels, many aesthetic-seekers are finding that there is a way to achieve the same results of fully immersive surgeries without ever having to get on the operating table with non-intrusive procedures.
WHAT ARE NON-INTRUSIVE COSMETIC PROCEDURES?
Non-intrusive skin procedures, also known as non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures, are cosmetic or dermatological treatments that do not require surgical incisions or penetration of the skin. These procedures are generally considered safer, have minimal downtime, and carry fewer risks compared to surgical interventions. Designed to improve the appearance and condition of the skin, these treatments have gained popularity for their efficient recovery periods and fewer side effects than traditional surgical cosmetic treatments.
A study released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported a 6% decrease in invasive plastic surgical procedures between 2000 and 2016. Cut to the present day, the rise in non-intrusive procedures has only gotten higher. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the market for non-invasive aesthetic treatments was valued at 53.8 billion in 2021, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 15.2 percent from 2022 to 2030.
With key factors like increasing beauty consciousness, advancements in technology, and a growing aging population driving the market's growth, we can see that the interest and implementation of these treatments aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
TYPES OF NON-INVASIVE METHODS:
The bases of non-invasive aesthetic treatments involve procedures like Botox injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing, among others, and are issued by a board-certified dermatology or esthetician. These treatments often target crow’s feet, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and other blemishes in order to improve the overall appearance of the patient's skin and complexion.
But how do you know which procedure is right for you? To help pique your interest in discovering all the Black-woman-friendly procedures, we’ve put together the best non-intrusive treatments to get your skin glowing, lifted, and snatched.
Botox Injections:
Easily the most known type of non-intrusive procedure is Botox® which is a well-known brand of botulinum toxin injections that use neurotoxins to temporarily relax the muscles in the face. During this procedure, small amounts of Botox are administered to specific muscles to smooth wrinkles and even alleviate migraine headaches.
Botox works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles, preventing them from contracting or tensing up. These effects are temporary but can last for several months, which makes it a popular, go-to “tweakment” for new and seasoned patients.
Good for people who: are looking to reduce signs of aging in the forehead, laugh lines, lips, neck, or eyes (crow’s feet).
AviClear
AviClear is the first FDA-approved laser to treat all levels of acne and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation. This non-invasive procedure utilizes a 1726 nm wavelength of focused laser energy to target and address the underlying causes of acne, such as excess oil production, bacteria, and inflammation.
The laser works by penetrating the skin's surface and heating the sebaceous glands, where oil is produced, to reduce oil production. It also helps to zap away acne-causing bacteria and promote collagen production, which can improve skin texture and appearance.
Good for people who: are looking for a long-term solution to clear acne and prevent future breakouts.
RF Microneedling
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a device that combines radiofrequency with tiny needles to induce controlled damage in the skin. This process stimulates the skin's natural repair response and boosts collagen production, resulting in a smoother and tighter appearance.
Unlike other energy-based devices that rely on heat, light, or specific wavelengths that target melanin in the skin, RF microneedling is safe for all skin types and tones.
Good for people who: are looking to get rid of acne scars, smooth the appearance of fine lines, and improve skin texture.
RHA (Resilient Hyaluronic Acid) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers are a type of injectable dermal filler. These fillers are designed to mimic the natural hyaluronic acid found in the skin, providing a more natural and flexible result. RHA fillers come in different formulations (RHA 1, RHA 2, RHA 3, RHA 4) with varying thickness and malleability.
They are intended to be used by dermatologists like an artist's palette, creating a customized combination to achieve the best results for each client's needs. RHA fillers have a stretchy quality that allows them to move with facial expressions, ensuring a natural look, especially in your most expressive moments.
Good for people who: are looking to minimize wrinkles, add natural volume, and smooth fine lines.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Tracee Ellis Ross Is Still Living A 'Robust' Life Despite Sometimes Grieving Not Being Partnered
Tracee Ellis Ross sat down with former first lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson for their IMO podcast to have a candid discussion about dating, marriage, and family. At 52, the beloved actress is single, but is still open to finding her person. However, she realizes that she has to navigate dating differently, describing herself as a "unicorn."
“I’m a very unique sort of unicorn of a woman, so it's gonna take a unique person,” she explained. "And in the meantime, I've really learned how to live my life and enjoy it and not sit around waiting."
Calling herself a "choiceful woman," she has had to push against culture norms and found that many of her experiences with men around her age were challenging due to the toxic masculinity they had been raised in. Many of their views about relationships conflicts with how she lives her life, so she tends to date younger.
“It's not just that I'm older. I’m also very embodied. I am a full, very whole person who knows myself, who is in charge of my life and who lives a very full, just robust life," she said.
Regardless if they're younger or older, Tracee has made it clear that she isn't settling and won't be in a relationship for the sake of having a partner. Even when loneliness creeps.
“As much as grief does surface for me around not having children and not having a partner, I still wouldn’t want the wrong partner. At all, I’m not interested in that. You have to make my life better, it can’t just be ‘I’m in a relationship just to be in a relationship,” she said.
Fans have watched pieces of Tracee's life played out on social media and TV. Just one look at her Instagram, you see that the black-ish star lives her life to fullest and it's filled with fashion, family, and all-round fabulousness.
"Even though the grief does emerge, and that comes, and I hold that, I think of what I’ve done. I think I woke up every morning trying to do my best. I didn’t wake up one morning and be like I’m gonna mess this day up. So I must be where I’m supposed to be.”
She added, “And sometimes I think of all of the things I’ve done—the courage that I’ve had to have, what I had to learn to how to navigate as a single person with no one to hide behind. It's built a really beautiful experience around me and I have incredible friends."
The Black Mirror actress has spoken about dating before and has always stated that she doesn't allow singleness stop her from living her best life.
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