It’s true, you can’t stay young forever. But thankfully, there are treatments available to keep your skin looking young forever (maybe not forever, but you get the idea). Whether you want to say goodbye to frown lines or add some volume, this article shares tips and tricks to add to your anti-aging arsenal.
1. Prescription Medication
One of the best ways to combat aging skin is to treat any condition that is plaguing your skin. For example, let’s say you suffer from hyperpigmentation and adult acne. If that’s the case, you may need prescription medication to target those conditions. Tretinoin cream, a type of retinoid, can do just that.
Dermatologists often prescribe tretinoin to treat acne because it can effectively unclog pores. If acne forms, tretinoin can reduce the severity and help fade acne scars. Another benefit of tretinoin is that it helps speed up cell turnover, encouraging new and healthy skin to develop.
Tretinoin cream also increases collagen production, which can help improve skin elasticity and reduce signs of aging. One reason people experience wrinkles is that their body produces less collagen as they age. Thanks to tretinoin, you can get a much-needed collagen boost regardless of age.
2. Laser Resurfacing (IPL & BBL)
Lasers are one of the most popular anti-aging devices, and that’s because they’re effective at what they do. Lasers use light energy to repair and regenerate new skin cells, so you see a visibly smoother and younger-looking complexion.
IPL (intense pulsed light) and BBL (broad band light) are two of the most popular laser treatments. Both IPL and BBL use light energy to remove layers of the skin that are damaged. Whether you have rosacea or dark spots from sun damage, these lasers can help fade those signs of aging layer by layer.
Because IPL and BBL are considered “non-invasive,” you don’t have to worry about downtime. While there’s always a chance you may feel some slight discomfort during the treatment, it should subside shortly after.
3. Dermal Fillers
With age comes wrinkles and fine lines, two things you probably don’t want to see. Thankfully, there’s a non-invasive procedure that can fill out your wrinkles and add any lost volume to your face.
Dermal fillers can address wrinkles such as laugh lines, periorbital lines, marionette lines, and hollow areas around the eyes and cheeks. The procedure is done by a qualified healthcare professional who injects the solution into the targeted area. Depending on the type of filler, you may require anesthesia.
You can choose from several types of fillers to address your aging skin. One option is hyaluronic acid fillers. This solution has a soft, gel-like substance that keeps your skin bright and hydrated. Another type of filler is the autologous filler. With these injections, fat from one part of your body is deposited into your face. Regardless of the type of filler, you should see results adding this treatment to your arsenal.
4. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use chemical solutions to peel off the superficial layer of the skin, which removes old and damaged skin. This forces new and healthy skin to grow in its place, which is usually smoother and less wrinkled. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, chemical peels can treat wrinkles, acne scarring, fine lines, sun damage, and even age spots.
Chemical peels generally contain gel-like formulas and ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that effectively removes the top layers of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is a topical that can treat various skin conditions, like acne and psoriasis. It’s important to note that your provider can work with you to ensure the ingredients will effectively address your skin concern.
5. Microneedling
Microneedling is another popular aesthetic treatment for treating wrinkles. During the treatment, your provider uses tiny needles to make small holes in the top layer of the skin. These holes help stimulate your skin’s healing process, encouraging more collagen production. As mentioned above, collagen increases elasticity, which can help fade noticeable wrinkles.
Before the procedure, you’ll consult with your provider to discuss your goals. Microneedling is an outpatient procedure and doesn’t require any downtime. That said, you may experience some redness and bruising after the treatment. Luckily, this should be resolved in a couple of days. But as a rule of thumb, avoid scheduling your session during a busy week so you don’t have to worry about hiding inflammation.
6. Botox
And last but not least…Botox. Chances are, you’ve heard of Botox before. It would be hard to miss, considering its popularity. About 11 million people worldwide have used Botox. But do you know why so many flock to have this procedure done?
For one, Botox can reduce signs of aging. It’s a wrinkle-relaxer that, once injected, allows your muscles to relax, giving your skin a smoother appearance. Because of that, Botox is a great option if you want to erase frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Additionally, Botox injections are a quick aesthetic procedure, often just taking between 15-30 minutes.
If you want to reverse the signs of aging, it takes an arsenal of the right anti-aging treatments. Thankfully, the options above can help you say goodbye to wrinkles and hello to youthful-looking skin.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
