The skin is a complex system of cells, proteins, and lipids that protect and shield the body while contributing to your appearance. Skin changes over time due to environmental damage, natural aging, injury, and genetics. While proactive steps help preserve the health and glow of your skin, changes are inevitable.
Many scientifically sound and well-established techniques can help restore a youthful glow and revitalize your skin. These rejuvenating treatments rely on well-developed insights into the structural anatomy of the skin, an open dialogue about your expectations, and skilled estheticians.
While you have many options for facial skin care, it is essential to understand the nature of each treatment. Different techniques are suited for skin types and types of damage. Learning about the various treatment options available to you will enable you to discuss your goals and options with a professional.
Treating Wrinkles, Fine Lines, and Crow’s Feet
The face consists of an underlying network of structures composed of vital proteins upon which the outer layers of the skin rest. Gaps form as the support system changes due to age, environmental exposure, and genetic predisposition. These structural shifts create space for wrinkles and other fine lines to develop.
While many effective facial treatments address wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet, the best option depends on the nature and extent of your skin concerns. Skilled estheticians can accurately assess your skin conditions and make the best recommendation based on your health history and appearance goals.
Chemical Peel
You and your provider will select the depth of the peel based on the type and location of your wrinkles. The blend of ingredients used in your peel will target the nature of your wrinkles and fine lines. While the process varies from patient to patient, the esthetician will apply the peel and monitor your response.
You can resume your day after the procedure is complete. The provider will recommend an individualized post-peel skin care regime to soothe your skin’s surface and maximize healing.
Recovery time tends to be longer for deeper peels. Aftercare for those treatments involves moisturizing the treatment area, protecting it from sun exposure, and using high-SPF sunscreen. Recovery time varies from one to 14 days depending on the reach of the peel and its ingredients. Post-treatment discomfort is usually limited to a light burning sensation that fades within a few days.
The results of a light peel will be subtle, while a deep peel will yield more dramatic improvement. Fine lines may vanish, and the skin will tighten. The results of a deep peel can last up to 10 years. Proactive skin care will extend the duration of your results.
Botox
Botox is a safe neurotoxin administered using precise injections to paralyze the nerves responsible for fine lines and other wrinkles. The procedure is one of the most common skin care interventions due to its safety and effectiveness.
The results usually emerge within three to five days of the injection(s) and solidify within 14 days. The enhanced appearance usually remains visible for three to four months. The duration of the results can vary depending on how quickly your body metabolizes the injection(s).
Botox is only effective for wrinkles caused by movement, like crow’s feet or forehead lines. Wrinkles and sagging that develop due to reduced skin elasticity or a loss of volume will not respond to it.
You may experience mild post-treatment tenderness, redness, or swelling, but these effects typically subside within a few days.
HydraFacial
A HydraFacial achieves reliable results by nourishing your skin. The rejuvenating serums and gentle peel exfoliate the skin to reveal a renewed layer. Your results will last for months (as long as the treatment reinforces the underlying structures).
This treatment offers virtually instantaneous improvement and almost no downtime or discomfort because it uses repairing compounds. You can apply makeup and resume your normal activities after leaving the medspa.
Individuals often notice an immediate post-procedure brightening or glow after this type of facial because the HydraFacial device removes dead skin cells while hydrating the skin.
IPL Photofacial
IPL photofacials are generally considered an effective solution for fine lines but not deeper wrinkles. The treatment is inappropriate for those with light sensitivity, latent skin cancer, and darker skin tones.
The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. A topical numbing agent is often used to reduce any discomfort. Aftercare involves avoiding sun exposure, heat to the treated skin, and other irritants like pools with chlorine for a few days.
Most people achieve optimal results with three to seven treatments, each spaced two to four weeks apart. One recent study reported that 75% of recipients would recommend IPL treatments.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
By removing the damaged outer layer of the skin, laser skin resurfacing allows rejuvenated cells to emerge. The process also heats the deeper layer of skin to stimulate collagen production. The procedure is especially effective for lines around the mouth and under the eyes, difficult areas to target.
The process will leave the skin tender, and you will begin peeling after five to seven days. While redness may persist for up to a month as you recover, your skin tone and wrinkles will immediately improve. Some individuals experience continued improvement for up to a year. Results can last for up to several years, but new wrinkles and/or blemishes may develop as part of the normal aging process or subsequent skin damage.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a popular technique for treating early signs of aging and fine lines or wrinkles. The specialized microderm device safely exfoliates the skin while suctioning dead cells away, leading to minimal downtime. Most individuals experience slight redness or tenderness that fades within a few hours.
Providers typically advise individuals to liberally moisturize to reduce dryness as the new layer of skin emerges, erasing lines and wrinkles. The results will be immediate. You may require multiple microdermabrasion sessions depending on your cosmetic goals. Many people opt for ongoing maintenance sessions to maintain their rejuvenated skin.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a popular option for erasing fine lines and revitalizing crepey or thin skin because it stimulates collagen production by triggering the body’s healing response. The treatment is highly effective and can serve as a viable option for those with deeper wrinkles.
Most individuals require multiple treatments spaced four weeks apart. The final results will materialize within three to six months as collagen production accumulates. Yearly follow-up sessions will help maintain your rejuvenated appearance.
Microneedling’s risk of infection is slightly higher than some other treatments’ due to the use of needles, but skilled providers and consistent aftercare can minimize your odds of complications.
VI Peel Advanced
A VI peel is an effective chemical peel for wrinkles and fine lines that you can safely undergo as often as every six weeks. This frequency allows you to complete ongoing treatments to maximize and maintain your results. Its gentle formulation enables providers to use it for fine lines around the eyes and mouth.
The peel is administered during a brief appointment and requires only standard follow-up care and precautions for light exposure. The treatment is ineffective for deep wrinkles or sagging because its results rely primarily on exfoliation and cell turnover.
Treating Sun Damage, Hyperpigmentation, Discoloration, Age Spots, and Melasma
Exposure to the sun damages cells, reducing the elasticity of the skin. These structural changes, known as photoaging, can lead your skin to wrinkle, thicken, or thin. The accumulation of sun damage can also elevate how much melanin your body produces. This natural substance gives skin its color. Over time, the build-up creates sun spots, age spots, and other areas of discoloration.
Severe and prolonged sun damage reduces your skin’s overall health and resilience. Fortunately, these changes are highly treatable. Generally, cosmetic anti-aging procedures break down the damaged skin so it fades while stimulating growth to replace it with new, undamaged cells.
While effective, these treatments often temporarily increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Proper use of sunscreen is vital during and after recovery since the following treatments do not prevent future sun damage.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels effectively minimize visible signs of sun damage and altered pigmentation in a non-invasive way. Once the outer layer flakes away in the days and weeks following the peel, new skin with restored color and tone will emerge.
Your provider will recommend the appropriate peel depth based on the nature of your skin changes. The procedure is inappropriate for those with darker skin tones or who have used certain acne medications.
Lighter peels are gentler, and their effects will be less pronounced than deeper peels. Removing the damaged cells responsible for the altered coloration takes time as the new skin replaces them. Side effects are generally temporary redness, swelling, and flaking.
IPL Photofacial
IPL photofacials deliver predictable results for treating sun damage and age spots. The intense light breaks down areas of hyperpigmentation, which will initially darken before fading away within a few days or weeks.
This treatment is best suited for those with fairer skin. Individuals with darker skin tones should not undergo the procedure due to the risk of altered pigmentation. You will likely need multiple IPL sessions to achieve your optimal results.
Your provider can determine the appropriate treatment interval based on your initial response, the treatment area, and the nature of the darkened spots. The final results can last for up to a year, but their longevity will depend on the nature of your damage and future sun exposure.
Most people describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable, likening the sensation to the snap of a rubber band. While you need to protect your skin from sun exposure, there is no mandatory downtime as you recover and wait for your results to emerge.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing addresses age spots and hyperpigmentation by enabling providers to target damaged areas precisely. This precision reduces the odds of altering the pigmentation of your undamaged skin. Your results will persist for as long as you avoid further sun damage that may trigger renewed melanin production and dark spots.
The sensation of the procedure can be likened to a mild sunburn. Your skin will dry and peel within a week of the treatment, revealing your rejuvenated skin tone. Avoiding strenuous activity for a day or two is advised. Proper aftercare will reduce your discomfort and maximize cell turnover.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion helps correct dark spots and hyperpigmentation related to sun damage by thickening collagen and removing the damaged outer layer of skin. Younger individuals may have the best results as their capacity to produce collagen is higher.
The exfoliation from the microderm device removes the outer layer of skin, allowing new cells to emerge and replace the damaged skin. Many people liken the sensation to a mild scratching from the abrasive crystal used by the pen and a gentle vibration from the suction that removes the dead cells.
The procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes and requires no downtime. Your provider will recommend a moisturizing routine to maximize your results and overall wellness.
Microneedling
The effects of microneedling can reduce signs of sun damage. By triggering the skin’s natural reconstruction response, microneedling fills fine lines and topical damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light. It may help with light age spots. The treatment is also a valuable adjunctive procedure to topical medications as a treatment for melasma.
The effects of microneedling persist as long as the body continues its enhanced level of collagen production. Yearly maintenance sessions can extend this revitalization. The procedure will not prevent additional changes due to new sun damage, though.
While there is no downtime, cleansing the skin and giving the treatment area time to heal is essential. Some individuals experience itchiness or slight scabbing after their session. Scratching or rubbing away the scabs will complicate recovery and possibly compromise your results.
VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus
VI peels help reverse the effects of sun damage and changes in skin color by removing the damaged layer of skin and prompting the emergence of new, healthy cells. One recent study of trichloroacetic acid, one of the main components of a VI peel, concluded the chemical significantly improved signs of photoaging, including hyperpigmentation and dry skin.
The duration of your results will depend on the composition of the VI Peel you and your provider choose and the nature of your sun damage.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin can improve sun spots and other visible signs of sun damage by boosting collagen production and blood flow to the skin, helping the body replace damaged cells. Many individuals see their dark spots fade and a glow return to the skin dulled by sun damage.
This topical application may not be impactful for more extensive sun damage, such as broad areas of dark spots or deep hyperpigmentation. Improvement usually becomes apparent after four weeks and may continue for up to four months.
Initial irritation and burning are expected and usually fade as the body adapts to Tretinoin and the damaged skin cells flake off. The results will persist as long as you apply the compound, even if you have acne-prone skin.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is considered the standard treatment for melasma, a condition that causes dark, irregularly shaped spots on the face. The topical application blocks melanin production and suppresses excess blood flow that causes inflammation.
The treatment is usually applied twice daily to the affected areas. It is vital to comply with the instructions given by your provider to minimize your risk of complications.
Treating Acne and Acne Scars
Acne occurs when pores become blocked, causing a build-up of contaminants or bacteria that leads to breakouts. It is a frustrating condition because of its many contributing factors. Genetics, stress, diet, and hormonal changes can all influence the extent and severity of acne, regardless of your skincare routine.
Many treatments and skin care products can help cleanse your pores and rejuvenate your skin to minimize acne and repair scarring caused by breakouts. Some acne treatments contraindicate facial skin care treatments, so disclosing your treatment history to your provider is essential.
It is critical to be forthright with your provider about the nature of your acne and aesthetic goals. You and your provider can use a combination of treatments to obtain the best possible results.
Chemical Peel
Light chemical peels are usually administered to treat acne, while medium-depth peels reduce the appearance of acne scars. The treatments effectively remove the outer layer of skin, opening pores to reduce the bacteria and blockages that may lead to acne.
While these peels will feel like a slight burn in the days following placement, you can immediately resume your daily activities when you leave the medspa. Many individuals opt for maintenance peels to manage their acne. If you use peels to treat scars, you may need multiple peels to achieve optimal results.
IPL Photofacial
IPL effectively addresses acne scarring because the penetrative waves of light reach deep enough to affect the skin damage responsible for the scars. It may be effective at treating acne, depending on the nature and extent of your breakouts. Your provider can assess your skin and make the best recommendation.
The IPL device is gentler on the skin than lasers because it uses multiple waves of light and does not reach as deeply. Mild discomfort is typical during the procedure. The treated skin will be photosensitive for a few weeks. Results will begin emerging a few days after your first session, but most individuals require multiple visits over several weeks or months to achieve their optimal results.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing reduces acne scarring because the deep-reaching laser stimulates the collagen production needed to fill in scarring and break down damaged cells. Skilled providers can execute precise treatment to target your scars while leaving undamaged skin alone.
You should not undergo the procedure if you have active acne, deep wrinkles, or a darker skin tone due to the increased risk of complications.
Most individuals rate the procedure as mildly uncomfortable. Swelling, itching, and stinging are common for three days following treatment. Peeling begins within five to seven days as damaged skin flakes away and your restored appearance emerges. Most individuals fully heal within 21 days.
The final results will be apparent within seven to 10 days of the session. You and the provider can assess your new appearance and plan additional sessions to reach your goals. While laser resurfacing is one of the more expensive treatments, the results are permanent.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is effective for mild or raised acne scars. The treatment effectively removes the damaged cells responsible for scarring and allows new, healthy skin cells to take their place. It is generally ineffective for deeper scars and pitting. The procedure cannot treat acne or safely treat scarring for those with active moderate to severe acne due to the abrasive nature of the treatment.
Results will become visible as the dead cells flake away and your new skin takes their place. Depending on the extent and severity of your scars, you may need multiple sessions over several months to achieve your desired results.
Microneedling
The rejuvenating and healing effects of microneedling effectively reduce depressed acne scarring as the enhanced collagen production fills in the damaged areas. Microneedling is inappropriate for raised scars because their appearance results from excess collagen production.
The procedure is not a viable treatment for active acne because the microtrauma can aggravate inflamed skin and increase the odds of infection. Microneedling can cause skin irritation, itching, and scabbing, but there is no downtime and patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure.
VI Peel Purify
VI Peels are highly effective acne treatments because their ingredients deliver clarifying and soothing effects. The peel creates cell turnover, wiping away dead skin to open and cleanse pores. The application also fights bacteria, which causes breakouts.
VI peels minimize inflammation and redness. The results are typically apparent within seven days as the skin gains a healthy glow and breakouts fade.
VI peels’ gentle nature allows for maintenance peels to prevent future breakouts and preserve open pores. Despite being a medium-depth peel, this treatment’s ingredients fortify the skin to minimize side effects and shorten recovery time.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin effectively treats acne by stimulating cell turnover to open pores, allowing the release of contaminants that cause breakouts. It also helps the body regulate oil production and eases inflammation that causes redness. The topical treatment is reliable for many individuals, but its results may dissipate over time.
Tretinoin can treat mild acne scarring through its ability to stimulate cell turnover. Your provider may recommend it as a preparatory or long-term follow-up treatment for certain chemical peels due to its regenerative effects.
Applying the compound consistently and following a routine schedule will enable you to optimize your results. Most individuals see acne improvement within 12 weeks. The application will increase your light sensitivity, but you can mitigate this risk with sunscreen.