There are a variety of noninvasive skin rejuvenation strategies that work to reduce wrinkles, dark spots and scarring. They also work below the surface to stimulate collagen production.
Some of the most popular procedures include Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau injections that temporarily relax muscles that cause fine lines and wrinkles. Other options include microneedling, radiofrequency energy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and laser treatments.
1. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a quick, safe and inexpensive way to reduce wrinkles and discoloration. It is also a popular alternative to more invasive surgical procedures. There are several types of chemical peels, ranging from light to deep. They can treat sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles and uneven skin tone as well as precancerous scaly spots known as actinic keratosis and rough, dry sun-damaged skin. Chemical peels can be used alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
Before your treatment, avoid sun exposure and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. It is also a good idea to stop using products that exfoliate the face (like scrubs or brushes) and retinoids for about two weeks before your peel. This is to ensure that your skin is properly prepared for the peel and to help avoid any unwanted side effects.
On the day of your peel, a liquid solution is applied to the face with a brush, cotton tip applicator or gauze swab. The peeling agent is usually an alpha-hydroxy acid, such as glycolic or lactic acid, or a beta-hydroxy acid, such as salicylic acid. A dermatologist may choose to use a more powerful chemical such as trichloroacetic acid or phenol for medium or deep peels.
You will probably experience some mild discomfort during your peel, and there is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face. However, scarring is generally not a serious problem and can be effectively treated. Some people are more prone to developing post-treatment darkening of the skin, which is called hyperpigmentation. This can be reduced or prevented by taking anti-inflammatory medications and by avoiding the sun after your peel.
2. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenation procedure that uses mechanical exfoliation to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. This treatment helps to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin, as well as reduce the appearance of scarring and sun damage. Microdermabrasion is also used to help diminish fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment is often combined with chemical peels or facials to achieve optimal results.
This is a quick and effective cosmetic procedure that doesn’t require any downtime. It can be performed in the comfort of your home or at a clinic. Before the treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup. A hand-held device then spritzes tiny crystals onto the skin, which are then suctioned away with vacuum suction. Some devices use diamond-tipped wands instead of crystals for a less abrasive effect.
The primary advantage of microdermabrasion is that it removes the top layer of dead skin cells, which is the main cause of dull and sallow-looking skin. This allows skin care products to penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective. It also makes it easier for oxygen to reach the lower layers of the skin, improving elasticity and stimulating collagen production.
The result is baby-smooth skin that looks healthier and glows with radiance. It should be noted that the results of this treatment are temporary, and your skin will need to be protected from the sun with sunscreen and other hydrating skin care products. Additionally, it is important to avoid tanning creams and waxing before a microdermabrasion appointment. This will allow your skin to heal properly.
3. Microneedling
Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy or skin needling) is a cosmetic procedure that involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with tiny needles, which can help improve things like acne scarring, large pores, brown spots, and fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment typically takes between 10 and 20 minutes, and you will probably need multiple sessions to achieve the results you want.
First, the person doing the procedure will smooth a numbing cream over your face to prevent you from feeling the needle pricks. Then, they’ll use a pen-shaped device that has tiny needles on it to move around your face or other area where you need treatment. These needles create a pattern of small injuries that trigger your body’s healing process, so it sends collagen and elastin to the area to repair the damage, which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
There’s a growing crop of products that allow you to perform at-home microneedling, known as dermarolling. But these home devices have needles that are only 0.25 mm long, which means they only penetrate the top layer of your skin, called the epidermis. That’s significantly less than a professional tool that can go up to 3 mm deep into the skin. The deeper penetration can stimulate the production of collagen, which is the goal of this type of treatment.
It’s important to know that microneedling can cause your skin to look red after treatment, and you might feel a little irritated as well. Because of the inflammatory reaction, it’s also important to use sunscreen after this type of treatment. But don’t be alarmed, because the redness will eventually fade as your skin heals.
4. Injectable Fillers
Achieving tighter, smoother and more youthful skin without surgery can be accomplished with noninvasive rejuvenation procedures. Injectable fillers, including hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers such as Juvederm(r), Restylane(r), and others, and fat injections, are among the popular choices.
These injectable treatments are safe, effective and noninvasive. As a result, they are gaining popularity as an anti-aging treatment. According to the online cosmetic marketplace RealSelf, interest in HA dermal fillers was up 11% in 2019 compared to 2018.
The most popular injectable in America is the FDA-approved neurotoxin, botulinum toxin, which temporarily reduces frown lines and wrinkles in the forehead and brow. It works by blocking nerve impulses that cause muscle movement, thereby smoothing out moderate to severe lines and creases for a more refreshed appearance. You may be wondering, however, “What happens when Botox starts wearing off?”
Sculptra(r), another dermal filler, is designed to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production. This procedure increases lost facial volume for a plumper, more youthful look that can last up to two years. Another popular dermal filler is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a synthetic, biocompatible substance that’s been used in medicine for many years. It’s often mixed with hyaluronic acid in gel form to provide added support and a longer-lasting effect.
Another option is to use your own body’s fat to correct skin defects and wrinkles, a process known as microlipoinjection. The surgeon extracts the desired fat using a tiny needle, and then uses it to fill in the target area. Initially, the fat may look unnatural and artificial; however, it usually settles into a more natural-looking contour as the face heals.
5. Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are light-based, energy-based modalities that can improve skin tone and texture while reducing signs of aging. Using a wavelength that is selective to the targeted pigment (like brown spots or hair follicles) while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed, lasers emit controlled emissions of light to target these areas and stimulate repair.
There are two types of laser treatments that can be used to treat wrinkles, scarring and uneven skin tone: ablative and nonablative lasers. Ablative lasers are more aggressive and require a longer recovery time, but they can improve skin tightening by resurfacing the outermost layer of skin and stimulating collagen growth. This type of laser can address fine lines and wrinkles, as well as scarring from acne or surgery. Examples of ablative lasers include carbon dioxide lasers and erbium lasers.
Nonablative lasers bypass the epidermis by delivering pockets of heat directly into the underlying dermal layers. The VBeam laser and Fraxel Dual are examples of this type of laser. This technique can also be used to remove broken blood vessels or spider veins. To reduce risk of hyperpigmentation, these lasers typically employ a Dynamic Cooling Device to cool the skin before each pulse is emitted, protecting the epidermis and minimizing post-treatment redness.
Both ablative and nonablative laser treatments can be used in conjunction with microneedling for a more dramatic rejuvenation treatment. The key is to choose a physician who is experienced in performing these procedures on patients with all different skin tones and textures. Board-certified NYC dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has extensive experience with different laser procedures and can accurately determine which treatment is best suited to your unique skin tone, texture and skin concerns.
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