“Laser & Skin Tightening & Botox...Oh my!” When It's Time to Seek Medical Attention

If you are reading this, we hope you believe in a well-rounded regimen of professional products as much as we do, but let’s be honest – we are aestheticians, not magicians! While your products and at-home tools are vital in preventing aging and skin damage, only so much can be done topically to reverse things like wrinkles, sagging skin, sunspots, and acne scarring. Here is a rundown of the top three most sought-after medspa procedures, and what to expect for results.

Lasers 

Lasers have come a long way in the aesthetics business, and there are many different types with various targeted results and healing time. In the past, lasers were used to create micro-wounds in the skin to generate regrowth, which would lead to overall smoother and tighter skin. They typically came with a 7-10 day heal uptime. These lasers still exist and are called ablative resurfacing lasers. Now, however, we also have laser treatments that use heat to penetrate the skin but do not cause any surface damage. They still offer collagen production and results, but barely have any downtime and are called non-ablative lasers. Both options bring about a healthier, younger, and smoother complexion. 

Also popular are fractionated lasers, which focus on specific areas of the skin and are an ideal choice for acne scarring. These can be both ablative and non-ablative. Another option you have when it comes to lasers is Intensive Pulse Light (IPL). When wanting to treat rosacea, broken capillaries, or sun damage that IPL is the best choice. If trying to treat specific concerns, most often, you will need a few treatments, but you will see results even after just one. Treatments can range from $300-$1,000 depending on how big the area you want to treat. Your treatment provider should be able to give you realistic expectations of how many treatments you will need.

Skin Tightening

One of the first things we start to notice with aging is skin sagging (thank you, gravity). While you can see great results with at-home microcurrent, moisturizing skincare, facial treatments, and facial massage, it can be hard to undo the effects of sagging skin. In the past, you had to look into invasive surgeries and facelifts to help undo mother nature's aging process; now, there are simple and effective ways to use medical-grade ultrasound devices to tighten the skin with no downtime and mild discomfort.

Ultrasound waves essentially deliver heat energy deep into the skin to create collagen production, which will bring a tightening effect. Ultrasound has been used for years now and is a great option with hardly any risks. Of course, these treatments won’t be as permanent as more invasive procedures but they will bring noticeable results, especially when continued over time. These handheld ultrasound devices are called Ultherapy and work best on the brow, jawline, neck, and chest. Another popular non-invasive procedure for sagging skin is radiofrequency. This works in a similar fashion to increase the production of collagen and elastin, and also offers a safe option with minimal downtime. Another benefit to ultrasound or radiofrequency is no incisions. They are best started before sagging becomes too apparent, at which point invasive surgery might be the best bet. The average cost of these treatments is in the four digits (price depends on the area you wish to treat), and last a year. If you are going to invest in tightening treatments, we highly recommend investing in a NuFace to keep the effects even longer.

Botox

Botox has become the most widely accepted cosmetic procedure thanks to its dependable results, quick application, and minimal downtime. It is a neurotoxin that causes weakening or paralyzing of the muscles and is approved as safe to use for a variety of medical conditions. It can be great for controlling migraines, excessive sweating, or overactive bladders. You’re probably familiar with the cosmetic benefits of Botox, aka the magic eraser for lines and wrinkles, and the effect lasts about 3-4 months. Once again, using preventative skincare along with this procedure can help you get the most out of your injections.

The great thing about Botox is that it is not permanent and can be applied in small targeted areas, so it is customizable to each individual. Botox is priced per unit, around $11-$18, and you can expect to need units in the double digits. There are very mild side effects, which include the pain at the injection site and rarely ever, flu-like symptoms. Once again, it’s important to note that while Botox might seem like a quick fix, it should not be seen as an alternative to good skincare. Ingredients like peptides, retinol, and most, importantly, SPF is crucial to create the whole appearance of a youthful complexion.

Just as we believe one product line can’t give you everything, the same can be true of one skin clinic. While Skin MPLS chooses to focus its passion on meeting skin goals realistically and affordably, that does not mean we are not happy to refer you somewhere for more intensive procedures. We pride ourselves on knowing as much about all aspects of skincare as possible. We also believe that with enough effort, we can make any skin dream a reality. If you have been entertaining the idea of getting any of the above procedures, please do not hesitate to ask your skincare provider; that way, we can offer you an honest answer and referral to an experienced professional in that field.