Love Your Skin: Non-Surgical Solutions for Skin Rejuvenation

There are more non-surgical solutions available today than ever before. In fact, according to Venus Concept, a leader in medical aesthetics, the global facial care market is growing faster than the surgical side of the business, projected to reach $132.7 billion by 2025.

While surgical procedures have come a long way regarding safety, results, and recovery time, they are still big decisions with hefty price tags. While no skincare or non-surgical treatments can replace a facelift, some fantastic options can get you close – we’ve gathered information on some of the most popular ones here. Research and contact your board-certified dermatologist to discuss what’s right for you.

Skincare

Think of skincare as your foundation for everything. It’s what you do daily that has the most impact over time. In fact, it is estimated that only 10% of how your skin ages is based on genetics. So while every skincare routine should be customized to your skin, some essential components to your AM and PM routines are universally beneficial.

AM

1. Cleanse: use a gentle cleanser in the AM to wash off skincare from the night before as
   well as sweat and impurities from your pillow.
2. Antioxidant Serum: an antioxidant serum will help to protect and repair your skin from
   free radical damage and environmental toxins.
3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum: hydrated skin always looks plumper and more radiant than dry
   skin – HA is an excellent, oil-free, and lightweight way to attract moisture.
4. SPF: use a mineral SPF 30+ daily, and don’t forget to reapply every two hours and
   immediately after swimming or sweating if you’re out in the sun.

PM

1. Cleanse: wash the day away. Depending on your skin type, you may want to reach for a medicated cleanser, such as something with Alpha Hydroxy Acids, to help lift impurities and gently exfoliate.
2. Exfoliate: retinol is excellent for expediting skin cell turnover to keep dead skin cells on the move and healthy ones at the skin’s surface. As we age, the natural rate at which our skin cells turnover slows down; boosting it can reduce fine lines and improve skin pigmentation and radiance. Consult your dermatologist on the right concentration and frequency of use for your skin type.
3. Moisturize: serums rich in peptides and ceramides support the skin barrier and
   encourage collagen production. Double up on your HA serum in the PM if your skin is dry.

Injectables

When it comes to rejuvenating the skin with injectables, there are two main categories most people consider:

1. Botox: Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable neurotoxin, most commonly known by brand names such as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. Neurotoxins are often used to treat wrinkles that form because of our most frequent facial movements, like smiling, frowning, and squinting. The treatment works by blocking nerve impulses to the muscles that create these movements, causing them to relax, softening your expressions, and reducing your wrinkles.
2. Filler: Dermal fillers can replace volume in the face to fill in deeper creases and
   improve skin laxity. The most commonly used fillers are hyaluronic acid (HA), under brand names such as Juvederm and Restylane. There is also Radiesse, a thicker CaHA filler that lasts longer – typically used for filling deeper lines and body contouring. Last but not least, there is Sculptra, a Poly-L-lactic acid product classified as a “collagen stimulator,” as it works by helping your skin rebuild natural collagen.

Laser, Light & Energy Treatments

Laser, light, and energy-based treatment options are a great way to enhance your results from skincare and injectables. Overall, this category of modalities uses energy to stimulate collagen synthesis in the skin’s deeper structures and addresses skin surface issues (pore size, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and texture/tone). Most treatment plans will require a series of sessions and sun avoidance for the following weeks, so be sure to discuss these factors with your dermatologist when deciding on a treatment plan. Some of the most popular treatments in the laser, light, and energy treatment categories are:

1. Lasers: Clear & Brilliant, Fraxel, PicoSure, SmartSkin+
2. Light: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), LightStim
3. Energy: Ultherapy, TempSure, Radiofrequency Microneedling (aka RF micro-needling)

A desire to look more rejuvenated doesn’t have to mean going under the knife. Instead, invest some time researching and finding a board-certified dermatologist you trust and can work with to tailor a treatment plan for you.