86% of all facelifts and 61% of all skin resurfacing procedures are performed on people over 50, demonstrating that we value the wrinkle-free, flexible skin we have when we’re young. But a facelift or similar cosmetic surgery isn’t the only way to reclaim your youth or rejuvenate your skin – there are hundreds of options for people seeking the glow and elasticity of younger skin. While traditional options like microdermabrasion remain open, innovative new treatments that are less invasive are available. Here are a few options to help your skin recapture its youth that you can consider before you think about going under the knife.
Going Classic: Microdermabrasion
One of the most well-known and widely available anti-aging skin treatments is microdermabrasion. In the procedure, the top layer of your skin is removed by a small instrument – it’s essentially a heavy-duty exfoliating treatment. While microdermabrasion takes less than an hour per treatment, its effects can be disappointing, depending on what you’re worried about. It’s great for reducing wrinkles and evening the surface of the skin – but if you’re worried about liver spots or hyperpigmentation, microdermabrasion’s effectiveness is limited. Although it does improve skin elasticity and tone, regular treatments are required to maintain its effectiveness, which means the cost can rack up quickly. That said, microdermabrasion is still a great option if you’re looking for a fresh face.
Classic With A Twist: Laser Treatments
Laser skin resurfacing procedures are another common, nonsurgical way to rejuvenate your skin, but the industry is trying to give them a new – and more effective – twist. Tattoo removal lasers are designed to break down high concentrations of pigment, so dermatologists are taking the logical next step: introducing tattoo removal lasers to anti-aging laser treatments. Those lasers have been effective in breaking down spots of hyperpigmentation, even more than the previously used lasers. Although you’ll still need multiple treatments to completely get rid of your dark spots, you don’t need monthly ones, and after a few treatments your hyperpigmentation won’t be a problem. Laser treatments also work on all skin tones, so you don’t need to be worried about the laser bleaching your skin! Although these treatments are pricey, they’re very new – look out over the next few years for the prices to drop.
New Treatments: Green Light Therapy
Green light therapy, although fairly new, is by far the most comfortable of the treatments on this list. Rather than going under an exfoliator or a laser, green light therapy lives up to its name: green light treatments use an LED light or a light face mask to shine green light directly onto the skin. This kind of treatment is great for dark spots and hyperpigmentation because green light directly affects the cells in your skin that produce melanin, or pigment. Over several treatments, green light can slow the production of melanin and reverse hyperpigmentation. The best part is, you can get green light devices for your home or get professional treatments – it can be a one-time cost, to great effect!
There are hundreds of serums, creams, face masks, treatments, and surgeries available to help rejuvenate older skin, and it can seem impossible to pick the right option for you. Looking into newer, more innovative treatments can provide you with the best on the market, and trying something new and non-invasive is a great place to start. Whatever your conclusion, enjoy your fresh face!