For those in their late twenties and thirties, we think it’s safe to say that all skincare efforts are geared towards anti-ageing. Some opt to go the Botox route to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and others simply have routine visits to their beautician for a facial. Here are the most popular skin treatments and the purposes they serve.
Botox Injections
Botox is made from the bacterium that causes botulism — an illness that can cause muscle paralysis (sounds scary but hear us out). Doctors will use a super-thin needle to inject small amounts of Botox into muscles in the face.
Purpose: Doctors will use just enough Botox to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, paralyzing the muscles that contribute to these. It can be used to address concerns like eye wrinkles and crow’s feet as well as lip lines.
Benefits: Botox doesn’t have the greatest reputation in society and is often associated with rich housewives who can no longer show any facial expressions because the majority of their faces are filled with Botox. However, some studies have suggested that Botox may have long-lasting anti-ageing effects, making the skin more elastic and resistant to wrinkles.
Disadvantages: The fear of needles is very real among people of all ages. There is also often bruising and pain at the injection site. Thankfully there’s now needleless technology available to aestheticians that solves these problems.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels have become popular skin treatments and involve applying a chemical solution to the skin in order to remove damaged skin.
Purpose: This treatment addresses wrinkles, acne scars, rough skin, age spots, and freckles. Whether you receive a mild or deep peel, both assist in reducing fine lines and acne.
Benefits: Results of a deep chemical peel can last up to 10 years, minimizing the time and money spent on multiple treatments.
Disadvantages: If not conducted with a thorough, attentive approach to the skin’s reaction to the chemicals, the skin can break out in redness and swelling.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
This is a popular skin treatment that involves pulsating beams of light applied to the skin to trigger the production of collagen.
Purpose: This is a versatile treatment that addresses wrinkles, uneven skin tone, age spots, and scarring. It works by removing the outer layer of skin while heating up the deeper layers underneath. The production of collagen helps the skin look smoother and firmer.
Benefits: Depending on the kind of laser used, both deep wrinkles and early signs of ageing can be addressed.
Disadvantages: Side effects include redness and sensitivity to sunlight for several months following treatment. Recovery time varies and an ablative laser can cause some discomfort.
Dermabrasion
This is more of a surgical procedure and is performed in a clinic with the use of a local anesthetic. Your doctor will use a wire brush or similar device to scrape away the top layer of the skin.
Purpose: Dermabrasion is great for treating scars and wrinkles.
Benefits: Because this is a surgical procedure, it can only be performed by specially trained doctors and dermatologists. It is also a highly successful anti-ageing procedure.
Disadvantages: Side effects include redness and swelling. Additionally, depending on the depth of the skin concerns, more than one treatment may be recommended.
With so many purported popular skin treatments out there, it’s hard to know which one to choose. If you know you’d prefer to avoid needles but want the benefits of the treatments where a needle is used, consider a clinic that uses needleless technology to deliver effective results. We have a host of clinical studies that outline real-life stories of this innovative technology’s efficacy. For more information, get in touch.