5 Anti-Aging Treatments That Are Minimally Invasive

There is nothing that reveals our age more than our skin. As skin thins out during the aging process, our blood vessels become more prominent and our pores grow larger. Our skin becomes more dry as it retains less water. Collagen production slows down, and we start losing elasticity that makes our skin look supple. By the time we reach our 50s, the visible lines and dry skin will already start showing. Many factors affect our skin besides age. They include one’s skin type, natural skin tone, ethnicity (races with darker skin tolerate the sun better), sleep quality, hydration, stress, and pollution. Thankfully, there are many anti-aging treatments available in the market these days that can slow down the aging of our skin. There are many options available, with surgery at one end of the spectrum and non-invasive treatments on the other.

Minimally invasive and non-invasive anti-aging options have become very popular, especially with the younger generation. They require almost no downtime and can be done as an out-patient treatment. According to the Dermatology Center of Acadiana, a growing trend for non-invasive cosmetic dermatology procedures has been on the rise. Based on the last report in 2016, there was a 72.7% increase in such procedures from 2007 to 2016.

We have listed five popular anti-aging treatments that are non-to- to minimally-invasive that you can choose from to make your skin look younger and more supple.

1. Botox and similar Injectables

Injectables like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau and Xeomin are injected just under the skin in order to temporarily relax the muscles responsible for creating fine lines and wrinkles. These neurotoxins work with dynamic wrinkles that become visible with facial expressions like smiling or frowning. They do not work with static wrinkles which are visible even when the face is at rest. The target areas are usually in between the eyebrows, on the sides of the eyes where crow’s feet tend to appear, as well as around the lip area.

Botox, a purified protein derived from the botulinum toxin, is one of the oldest types of injectables and remains popular. The injection blocks nerve impulses of the tissues which reduce the muscular activity causing a frown. The effect is temporary, so those who use Botox need to go back regularly to preserve the effect. For more on botox, you can refer to this botox guide.

2. Dermal fillers

While also an injectable, dermal fillers are different from botox. Instead of relaxing muscles, dermal fillers inject a gel-like substance beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smoothen lines, and soften creases. These fillers are usually made from different FDA-approved filler products.

Dermal fillers can plump up lips, soften creases in the face and mouth areas, remove or make wrinkles less visible, diminish vertical lip lines, restore volume to sunken cheeks, improve the appearance of scars, and enhance facial contours. Dermal fillers are a popular anti-aging treatment used to make hands look younger. Like botox, the effects are temporary, necessitating regular treatments.

3. Chemical peels

Chemical peels are usually treatments for the face, neck, and hands. A chemical solution is applied to exfoliate the topmost part of the skin. Once the old skin is removed, it reveals the smoother and less wrinkled skin.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery classifies chemical peels into three categories:

1. Superficial or lunchtime peel – This is the least invasive of the three and probably the fastest to perform. Alpha-hydroxy acid or another mild acid is applied to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin. This is usually used for mild discoloration and rough skin.
2. Medium peel – Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid is applied. This application penetrates up to the middle layers of the skin to eliminate damaged skin cells. This treatment is often done for age spots, fine lines, freckles and moderate skin discoloration. Precancerous skin growth like actinic keratosis can also be treated with a medium peel.
3. Deep peel – Trichloroacetic acid or phenol is applied. This deep-penetration treatment is used for removing age spots, freckles, shallow scars, and moderate facial lines. This procedure is done on the face and only once.

4. Fractional laser skin resurfacing

A fractional laser is used to deliver precise light microbeams into lower skin layers an area at a time. The laser creates deep, narrow columns of tissue coagulation, damaging these deep layers of skin in the process. That process actually stimulates new skin cell growth. When the damaged areas peel away, smoother and younger-looking skin is revealed. While you won’t need very much downtime, expect some redness, pain, peeling or scabbing in the treated areas.

5. Dermabrasion/Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion treatment involves the use of a rotating brush to exfoliate the outer skin layers and allow new skin to grow in its place. Expect some scabbing or swelling after treatment but in a few weeks, new skin will show up pinkish or a little reddish. Due to how you will look after treatment, this may require some downtime on your part. Some require only one treatment, and others may need repeat sessions for deep scar or severely aged-looking skin.

Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, except that instead of using a rotating brush, a special machine sprays tiny particles on the skin. Between the two, microdermabrasion is less abrasive and will heal skin faster.