Looking for something more powerful to conquer the first signs of aging than your new anti-wrinkle face cream, but don’t want to go to the extreme with a full on face lift? Thanks to advances in non-invasive cosmetic procedures, you can achieve a “face-lift look” without having to go under the knife or cut deep into your savings. Here are our top 5 picks suitable for most skin types and complexions:

Light Chemical Peel

How: A chemical solution is applied to a clean face with a cotton pad, sponge, or brush. The solution is removed with water and a soothing lotion is applied. This procedure is short enough that some can opt to have it done over their lunch break.

What: Using an acidic mixture containing alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), the solution sloughs off the damaged top layers of skin along with dead skin cells allowing new cells to grow.

Why: After years of sunbathing, you may have developed a mild case of photo aging (damage from the sun), have unwanted fine wrinkles, freckles, age spots, acne, mild scars, or wish to even out skin tone.

Why not: A light chemical peel may produce side effects like mild stinging during and/or after the treatment. Some may see redness and/or flaky skin for the first 2 days after a chemical peel.

Try: On your face, neck, chest, back, hands and feet.

*Light Chemical Peels should be done every 2-4 weeks for the first 6 times and then once every 6 weeks to obtain and maintain maximum results. Cost is generally between $150-300.

Hyaluronic Acid Injectible Dermal Fillers

How: A very fine needle containing a gel-like substance is inserted under the skin. A topical aesthetic cream can be applied before to numb the face as this procedure can cause mild discomfort. Dermal fillers usually take between 15-30 minutes to complete but can sometimes take up to one hour.

What: NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) Dermal fillers add firmness to the skin and enhance the contours of your visage. They smooth out facial folds, wrinkles, and in some cases, soften the appearance of acne scars.

Why: As we age, our body’s ability to produce hyaluronic acid slows down and causes dehydration of the skin. This leads to sagging skin and wrinkles. By developing a genetic copy of human hyaluronic acid, companies are able to help reverse the signs of aging with injectible dermal fillers.

Why not: Dermal fillers sometimes cause side effects like temporary bruising, mild swelling, redness, itching, and discoloration. Although is it rare, granulomas (lumps under the skin) can form and last for up to 6 months.

Try: Perlane, Juvederm, Juvederm Plus, Revanesse, or Restylane.

*Results typically last about 3-6 months and cost approximately $600.

Botox

How: Is injected into specific muscles on the face with a narrow gauge needle. Alcohol, aspirin, and ibuprofen should not be used 14 days prior to Botox; this will help reduce bruising. Botox only takes a few minutes.

What: Botox is a diluted dose of botulinum toxin that comes from a strain of bacteria. This toxin, when used in small amounts, causes muscles to weaken and relax allowing wrinkles to smooth out and appear less visible.

Why: We not only talk with our mouths, we use our whole bodies-- mostly our faces. All those times when you were angry and frowned or squinted at the sun, you may not remember but your body does. As time goes on, our muscles start to adapt to those positions causing our expressions to show . Botox visibly smooths out frown lines to reveal a younger, softer, happier appearance.

Why not: Botox can make your eyelids droop (although rare) and that can last up to 3 weeks. This can usually be avoided by not touching the treated area for 12 hours after and waiting 4 hours before lying down. Temporary bruising may occur as well as headaches lasting up to 2 days.

Try: If you have deep frown lines between your eyes

*results typically last between 4-6 months and cost approximately $500.

Fraxel Laser Skin Resurfacing

How: Thousands of tiny laser beams penetrate the skin allowing it to naturally increase collagen production. A full face treatment takes between 20-25 minutes.

What: Fraxel laser systems send pulses to the deep layers of the skin and focus on a very small surface area at a time, allowing the surrounding areas to help with the healing process.

Why: UV rays, smoking, pollution, and aging all cause our skin to thin resulting in wrinkles and brown spots. Fraxel helps repair damaged skin by increasing collagen production below the surface.

Why not: Swelling and redness are common but usually last only a few days. Some may get itchy dry skin, experience flaking, and skin may appear tanned. There is a very small chance of scarring or infection.

Try: on wrinkles around the eyes, melasma (mask of pregnancy), skin discoloration, and age spots.

*results typically last about 6 months. Multiple sessions are recommended and cost approximately $1000 per session.

Thermage

What: uses heat to tighten deep skin tissue making it appear less saggy and wrinkly.

How: Collagen in the skin is tightened with the use of radiofrequency energy filling in fine lines and wrinkles.

Why: You want to turn back and slow down the signs of aging in a single treatment that yields very natural looking results.

Why not: Although rare, thermage can sometimes cause blisters, swelling, and redness that can last 2-7 days.

Try: on your face, under chin, around eyes, lips, stomach, love handles, and cellulite.

*results can last for several years and costs approximately $2000

Which one would you try? I was pleased to discover that most can be done in under an hour with little or no pain! If you have tried any of these, were you happy with the results?

by Kyla Morgan