7 Best Anti-Aging Treatments
There is one wise decision we all have made at some point of the other and that is if we can do a reset of your skin. But it never comes true, does it? As you grow older so does your skin and with it comes wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, dark spots, and a myriad of aging-related issues. However, the good news is that while we cannot reset the skin, there are excellent treatments available with your dermatologist that can arrest the problem.
Anti-aging treatments go much beyond anti-aging skin creams, they also treat large pores, stretch marks and so much more. The anti-wrinkle treatments or the anti-aging facials that you see much advertised about only bring a brighter and youthful appearance to the skin but also protect it against additional damage, improve and accelerate cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.
Let us take a look at the 7 best anti-aging treatments preferred by dermatologists worldwide to help you maintain a youthful glow always.
1. Botox or Botulinum toxin
Botox is the most commonly used worldwide in the cosmetic industry. Botulinum toxin is a type of neurotoxin that is injected under the skin. This works by blocking the nerve impulses to the tissues. The reduced muscle activity results in smooth skin tone.
Initially, Botox was used to treat different disorders like excessive sweating, spasms, lazy eye, and even overactive bladder. Botox injections are also successful in treating migraines.
Botox treatments give instant results and they last for about 6 months (till the muscles start to regenerate). This is an FDA-approved treatment and Botox is used for the treatment of
- Reduction of fine lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines)
- Crow’s feet in the corner of the eyes
- Forehead lines
- Bunny lines i.e. the lines on the nose bridge
- Dents in the chin
- Brow lift
- Gummy smile
- Bands or necklines
- Excessive sweating in hands and underarms area
Botox is also used as an anti-aging facial treatment to prevent wrinkles from forming. Botox treatment is an outpatient procedure and it takes about 45 minutes to complete. The results of Botox are noticeable after a few days of the treatment and full results can be seen in 10 -14 days.
Risks In Botox Treatment
Botox is a powerful poison and the treatment should only be done by a certified and experienced dermatologist or Facial Plastic Surgeon. If not injected properly, Botox can cause some side effects such as a droopy smile and droopy eyelids. If you are pregnant, lactating, or allergic to the proteins then Botox anti-wrinkle treatment is not the correct treatment for you.
2. Microdermabrasion
This is one of the popular skin exfoliation techniques that gently removes the top layer of the skin. The microdermabrasion device has a small machine that sprays fine particles on the skin. The top layer of the skin is removed and a new, smoother, and younger-looking skin grows to replace it. This anti-aging treatment also stimulates collagen production, improves collagen fiber density, recovers skin elastin distribution, and improves natural healing times. Microdermabrasion can be used on all skin types easily for
- Renewal of overall skin tone and texture
- Reduction of wrinkles
- Reducing fine lines
- Treatment of scars including acne scars
- Treatment of acne
- Reducing stretch marks and age spots
- Getting rid of melasma
- Treatment of enlarged pores and seborrheic skin
After just one session of microdermabrasion, you will notice an improved skin glow and softness and reduced sebum levels. The final results include improved skin thickness, compliance, and a decrease in skin stiffness which results in supple-looking skin. To treat specific skin problems microdermabrasion treatments are scheduled 15 days apart and you might need 6-10 sessions to reduce the specific situation.
Risks in Microdermabrasion Treatment
Microdermabrasion is a simple outpatient procedure and can be done during lunchtime. The common side effects include swelling, redness, and tenderness of the skin. The skin might look pink for a few days but this will go away as the skin heels.
3. Chemical Peels
These are just like microdermabrasion but they use acid to peel the outermost layer of the skin. The type of acid that is applied to the skin can be customized based on the type of skin condition you need.
Chemical peels are used to treat
- Wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth and eyes
- Sun damage
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Scars
- Melasma
- Uneven skin tone
- Redness
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Dark patches because of pregnancy
Chemical peels are suitable for all skin types. People suffering from oral herpes, skin cancer, eczema or general poor body immunity should also not opt for chemical peels.
The advantage of chemical peels treatment is that they can be customized according to the depth of damage on the skin and specific skin concerns. Broadly they are classified into three categories
- Superficial peels are used to treat fine lines, superficial wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness on the top layer of the skin i.e. the epidermis
- Medium chemical peels that are suitable for wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone target the epidermis and upper part of the middle skin.
- Deep chemical peels penetrate the lower layer of the dermis and are used for the treatment of melasma.
Risks in Chemical peels Treatment
Chemical peels can cause some numbing and burning sensation on the skin. Sometimes there is some scabbing on the skin because of chemical use. Make sure you avoid the sun till the time the skin heals completely.
4. Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Lasers are the gold standard for the treatment of all skin concerns. They are completely safe to use and totally non-invasive. This type of laser treatment is very suitable for Asian skin and Indian skin types. The fractional CO2 laser skin treatments work on narrow columns of the skin so that the intensity of the laser beam is distributed evenly on the entire area to be treated. Thus, there is a chance of skin damage and more effectiveness. The laser reaches the deep layers of the skin and heats/damages the cells which in turn kicks up the body’s natural healing response, stimulates collagen and elastic production and the skin grows into a smoother and younger-looking version of its previous self. Fractional laser anti-aging treatments are used to treat
- Post-surgical scars
- Stretch marks
- Keloids
- Hypertonic scars
- Post-trauma scars
- Deep lines and wrinkles
- Pigmentation
- Sun damage
- Loose skin
Fractional CO2 laser treatments can be safely used on the face, cheek, neck, arms, and hands. This anti-aging treatment is an outpatient procedure and does not require any hospitalization. The treatment of deep scars is needed for effective results.
Risks during Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Since this laser hits the skin there is no lasting damage to the skin but little redness, pain, scarring, and scabs are normal and go away in a few days.
5. Dermal fillers
Fillers do exactly what their name suggests, they fill up the hollows in the skin. They are gel-like substances that are injected into the skin using thin needles to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Fillers can be safely used for anti-aging lip treatments too and they fill up the lip line and give better definition to the lips. Dermal fillers are suitable for anti-aging treatments on hands, cheeks, nose, eyes, jawline, and mouth. One major benefit of using dermal fillers is that if you don’t like the results they can be easily reversed by injecting a dissolving solution. Dermal filler treatments can
- Volumize lips
- Treat wrinkles and sagging skin of décolletage
- Add volume and lift to the buttocks and give them a natural contour.
- Trigger new collagen growth and improve the appearance of cellulite
- Give tighter and smoother skin
- Improve stretch marks
- Treat the creepy skin on the upper arm
- Treat wrinkles and lines on knees and thigs
- Eliminate Marionette Lines & Nasolabial Folds
- Be used for non-surgical rhinoplasty or liquid rhinoplasty
- Eliminate depressed scars
- Fill in forehead lines
- Plump up the cheeks
- Reshape the chin
- Reduce the aging effects on the jawline
- Eliminate wrinkles
- Correct the smoker lines
- Reduce under-eye circles
- Add definitions to the eyebrows and lift sagging brows
- Revive the earlobes
- Smooth the back of the hands
The results of dermal fillers are visible right away. Depending on the type of filler the results can last up to two years. The most commonly used fillers include Hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers anti-aging treatment is an outpatient procedure and there is no downtime involved.
Risks during Dermal Fillers Treatments
Redness, pain, bruising, and swelling are common side effects of dermal filler injections but they are very temporary and go away in one or two weeks.
6. Non-ablative Skin Rejuvenation
These anti-aging treatments use non-ablative lasers and other energy treatments that help treat the first signs of aging such as wrinkles, age spots, and loss of skin tone. Non-ablative skin care treatments don’t target the upper layer of the skin but they target the middle and deep layers of the skin. This stimulation encourages collagen production and minimizes spots and facials lines.
Non-ablative skin rejuvenations have short recovery times and the results last for a very long time. Apart from removing the apparent signs of aging, these skin rejuvenation treatments also tighten the skin and make it look young, firm, and healthy. Though the results take up to a few months and multiple sessions to show their effect.
Risks During Non-ablative skin rejuvenations Treatment
Pain, swelling, and bruising on the site of treatment might occur but they are just temporary side effects and your practitioner will give you guidelines on how to treat them.
7. Ultherapy
The latest in anti-aging treatments, Ultherapy is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedure that uses the strength of Ultrasound energy to treat the deep layers of the skin. Ultherapy is a very precise treatment and it heats the skin layers to improve the production of new collagen and elastic that slowly reverse the signs of aging. Ultherapy is successful in
- Treating the sagging skin of jowls
- Correct the turkey neck and drooping eyelids and brows
- Minimizing lines and wrinkles
- Reducing the signs of aging on the face, neck, and décolletage
- Reduce the double chin
Risk during Ultherapy Treatment
Ultherapy has no downtime and the results take about 3 months to show and last for a year. There are no risks involved in Ultherapy anti-aging treatments but some barely noticeable redness on the skin might occur.
Aging is a normal and natural process. Expertly administered anti-aging treatments can greatly reduce the signs of aging and give you a vibrant and refreshed appearance. On examining your skin and discussing the skin concerns, dermatologists can use one or a combination of treatments for the best results. Keep in mind that the anti-aging treatments are not permanent and you still need to take the best care of your skin to prevent the signs of aging from appearing again.
