As the human body ages, there is a loss of subcutaneous fat that leads to fine lines and wrinkles. The other important factor is the sun damage that leads to skin discoloration and fine wrinkles. Eating a healthy diet, keeping hydrated, and drinking water every day can go a long way, but it still cannot combat the symptoms completely. We have put together a list of best anti-aging non-surgical treatments that can be used to keep your skin looking young and healthy.
Best Non-Surgical Anti-aging Treatments
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the five best non-surgical anti-aging treatments that work are:
- Botulinum Toxin (1,548,236 procedures)
- Hyaluronic Acid (722,394 procedures)
- Nonsurgical Fat Reduction (180,833 procedures)
- Hair Removal (178,488 procedures)
- Chemical Peel (118,523 procedures)
Injectables
1. Dermal Fillers
These fillers can give effective and immediate results in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It can fill in deep folds under the skin, create fuller lips and cheeks. It can create the appearance of a fuller skin.
- Traditionally, collagen was used for dermal fillers. Still, Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Juvederm) is more popular now as it has shown some evidence of creating a permanent anti-aging effect by promoting collagen growth.
- Synthetic fillers such as Radiesse last longer, but they might coagulate under the skin, which will have to be surgically removed.
- Fat transfer is the process in which an individual’s body fat from thighs or buttocks is extracted and injected into the face. The primary downside of this process is that the body may absorb the fat.
2. Muscle Relaxers
Botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport) temporarily paralyzes the muscles, appearing to give a smooth appearance to the fine lines and wrinkles. It doesn’t help improve the skin tone or texture. It works best on the upper third part of the face.
3. Liquid Facelifts
This is using a combination of dermal filler and muscle relaxers to maximize the treatment process.
4. Fat Melting
Using Deoxycholic acid (Kybella) injection helps the fat break down and absorb into the body. This is used to target the sagging fat under the chin.
Skin Treatments/Dermabrasion
These procedures can give your skin a smoother appearance with reduced fine lines and wrinkles. It is a method of removing the top layer of skin in a controlled manner.
1. Chemical Peel Treatments
The exfoliating chemical is applied directly to the skin. It causes the skin to blister and eventually makes the dead skin cells to peel off. When using a higher concentration of chemicals, it emulates a skin wound causing the body to increase collagen production. The new skin is tighter and helps reduce fine lines, small scars, skin discoloration, and sun damage.
Popular beauty brands make lower concentrations of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and trichloracetic acid that can be purchased easily online or at beauty stores to be used at home. However, to use stronger chemical peels that have a concentration higher than 30%, it is advisable to go to a dermatologist.
2. Dermarolling
Dermal rollers boost collagen production.
- Jade facial roller reduces inflammation and boosts collagen production. They have been known to be used in ancient China. The jade stone is believed to have natural healing properties. Recent beauty trends have shown a renewed interest in the jade and rose quartz rollers. The recommended usage is to roll your face after applying night cream and serums on a clean face.
- Microneedling face roller system has small needles that cause micro-tears in the system, leading the body to promote collagen production to heal the area.
3. Dermaplaning
This is the process of gently scraping off the top layer of skin that contains dead skin cells so that the underneath brighter complexion can be removed. Trained aestheticians use an actual scalpel to perform this process, so this method is not recommended for home use.
4. Microdermabrasion
This is the process of using products with fine crystals that sand the face and remove the dead skin cells. This process can be done at a salon or a spa. Similar to chemical peels, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture. This doesn’t provide as dramatic results as chemical peels.
Laser/Other Treatments
1. Laser Procedures
This procedure is used to improve the overall wellness of the skin, targeting fine lines, skin tone, and texture. The damage caused by lasers promotes collagen promotion that helps plump up the skin. The laser procedures can be used to target the skin at varying depths, depending on the desired result.
Based on the treatment area, the treatment type can be:
- The continuous laser treats the entire skin area.
- Fractional laser treatment creates microscopic columns of treated tissue, surrounded by healthy, intact tissue.
Based on the treatment intensity, it can be categorized as:
- Ablative lasers destroy the skin tissue and allow the body to replace it with new and healthy skin tissue.
- Continuous ablative laser
- Fractional ablative (Fraxel Repair, Pearl Fractional) affects the deep tissue layers and requires a longer recovery period
- Non-ablative lasers (Fraxel Restore, Laser Genesis) has the mildest effect. It heats the skin tissue but doesn’t damage it. It requires multiple sessions for maximum efficacy.
2. IPl & other heat-based treatments
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses intense light to heat the epidermis and dermis to stimulate collagen production. It requires a series of treatments that show gradual improvement. It is best for improving skin tone and texture. Other heat-based treatments include the use of:
- Radio-frequency (Thermage) can smoothen, tighten, and improve the appearance of skin. It is an expensive procedure which can last a couple of years.
- Ultrasound (Ultherapy) can help lift and tighten skin.
- Infrared (e.g., Cutera Titan) heats the dermis, which leads to immediate contraction of the collagen, resulting in tighter skin.
3. Personal LED anti-aging device
LED light therapy offers a lot of benefits, and their effect varies based on the varying colored lights and their varying wavelengths. There are also handheld LED-based devices that can be used at home. It is painless and requires minimal to no recovery time.
- Infrared helps reduce inflammation (also known as the root of most, if not all, skincare evils), accelerate healing, and promote circulation.
- Amber helps build up the two protein pillars of anti-aging: collagen and elastin.
- Red helps reduce inflammation and promotes circulation.
- Blue destroys acne bacteria, preventing new breakouts while treating existing ones
They require multiple treatment sessions before you see start seeing results. There are several handheld LED-based
Learn more about Anti-aging devices
Reference
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