Recently, online beauty magazine New Beauty got dermatologists from around the country to name the one in-office procedure they thought provided the best results for their patients over 40. The top 5:
- Fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing
- Ultherapy (ultrasound therapy)
- Botox and fillers
- Eurothreads
- PRP microneedling
Fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing
Fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove columns of skin to varying depths, depending on your needs. The removal of skin helps to achieve a number of outcomes:
- More even skin tone by both removing age spots and other areas of hyperpigmentation
- Firmer skin as the healing process encourages collagen and elastin production for skin with fewer lines and wrinkles
- More even skin texture, including the possible removal of old scars
CO2 fractionated laser is a fairly aggressive treatment, which allows you to get visible and lasting results with one treatment. However, the procedure can be painful, so dermatologists apply a local anesthetic, and many may offer sedatives or relaxers for pre-treatment anxiety and post-treatment discomfort.
This procedure also has a lengthy healing time up to 14 days. Healing may entail redness, discomfort, weeping and minor bleeding for the first day or two and redness and crusting, peeling or flaking in the latter stages of recovery. Your dermatologist will provide instructions and, possibly, topical applications to prevent infection and ensure the treatment area stays hydrated.
Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to stimulate collagen and elastin production at levels deeper in your dermal matrix than most products can penetrate to. This procedure is especially effective to treat sagging skin on the neck and jawline.
Ultherapy is painless and requires no downtime, although repeat treatments every couple years may be required to maintain results.
Botox and fillers
Botox helps relax facial muscles and release wrinkles. Fillers boost volume below the surface to plump and fill lines and wrinkles. Both types of treatments take just a few minutes and typically do not require any downtime. Compared to other procedures, however, botox and fillers have short-lived results. Maintenance treatments may be required every few months.
Eurothreads
Eurothreads are biodegradable threads that are inserted below the skin’s surface to help achieve lift and firming. The insertion of the thread kicks the body’s natural healing processes, which include collagen and elastin production, into high gear, promoting firmer, more elastic skin. The threads may also be pulled to achieve a greater degree of lift on areas with notable sagging.
Eurothreads are made of the same materials as dissolving sutures (stitches) and can be used on the face or body. Their insertion may cause slight discomfort or bruising, but any adverse effects typically last no more than a couple days.
PRP microneedling
This procedure actually combines two different skin-rejuvenating processes microneedling and platelet-rich plasma application. Microneedling uses a small roller with tiny needles to create small puncture wounds in facial skin to incite the healing process that will naturally boost collagen and elastin production for firmer skin.
PRP is applied to the microneedling site to enhance results and reduce healing time. PRP comes from your own blood and tissue, so there are no adverse effects or allergic reactions.
No matter which in-office procedure dermatologists think will deliver the best results for their clients over 40, they all agree on one thing you will get better results with proper skin care. To get top-quality products formulated for your skin and skin care goals, contact Hale Cosmeceuticals.
