The fountain of youth may not exist, but facial treatments can lend a hand in keeping your skin refreshed.
While there is no easy way to turn back the clock on our skin, some breakthrough treatments can help address fine lines, dark spots and wrinkles.
Although you may be familiar with some of them, such as injectables, there are other treatments that can be less invasive and just as effective.
Neuromodulators
Probably the best known of the bunch, neuromodulators, which include botulinum toxin injectables, basically paralyze certain muscles and block nerves in your skin, which minimizes movement. This keeps wrinkles from forming and can reduce the appearance of those that already exist.
It’s recommended to get these injections from a board-certified dermatologist — as opposed to a spa or the like — as the mishandling of these injections can result in bruising, headaches and even facial drooping.
Chemical peels
When it comes to providing instant results, chemical peels can do some heavy lifting. Not only do they boost your skin’s radiance, but they can also reduce hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
“Chemical peels can combine different brightening agents that lighten brown spots and age spots,” says Binh Ngo, MD, a dermatologist at Keck Medicine of USC and associate professor of dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Since chemical peels also remove dead skin cells, the newer, more radiant skin beneath becomes visible. With regular chemical peels, you can expect your skin to look brighter and more evenly toned.
Low-level lasers
If you’re not ready to commit to the cost and recovery time associated with a heavy-duty laser, you can still find other, gentler alternatives. Low-level lasers can improve the look of fine lines, even out your skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores.
Dermal fillers
We tend to lose fat in our faces as we age, and dermal fillers have become popular for their ability to counteract that loss. Dermal fillers accomplish two objectives: They add youthful volume to the face and, in the process, minimize lines and wrinkles.
A doctor can use dermal fillers to plump lips, enhance facial contours, soften lines and wrinkles, and reduce shadows. Different types of fillers target specific areas of the face, so talk to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to find out which options are best for your needs.
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