While the quest for the fountain of youth has been an age-old one, the processes to truly achieving lifted, firm skin have long involved highly invasive procedures that required longer recoveries and post-op care. But in 2020, with today’s tools and technology, the newest and most sought-after techniques allow you to tweak, lift, smooth and coddle the skin into submission—in a safe, quick and comfortable manner. We spoke to Dubai and Portugal-based Dr Marta Duarte, Mumbai-based Dr Harshna Bijlani and Delhi-based Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta for their favourite non-invasive procedures to try in 2021.

1) Ultherapy

This is an innovative, non-surgical and non-invasive technology that uses the energy of focused high-power ultrasound, which aims to heat skin tissue at different depths, triggering a natural healing response leading to the formation of new collagen. “It improves elasticity and reduces sagging skin on the face, neck and décolleté, in order to achieve the desired lifting effect,” says Dr Duarte. 

2) Photofacial

The photofacial is a photo-rejuvenation technique that uses AFT technology—an advanced form of Intense Pulsed Light—with the aim of eliminating the signs of ageing, pigmented and vascular lesions. “This treatment improves the texture and tone of the skin, reverses lesions caused by the sun (hyperpigmentation), controls the signs and symptoms of rosacea, treats vascular lesions and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, giving a healthier, youthful and luminous appearance to the skin,” confirms Dr Duarte. 

3) Platelet rich plasma 

According to Dr Duarte, PRP or the vampire facial is a treatment that consists of taking advantage of growth factors, derived from platelets in our blood, in order to stimulate cell regeneration and accelerate tissue repair. It uses your own plasma to stimulate collagen production, which allows for the smoothening of fine lines and pores. 

4) Hyaluronic acid fillers

“One of the most frequent doubts is whether this type of filers has harmful health consequences. The answer is no. The reason the body does not reject this product is that hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body and, most of all, in our skin, whose main function is to fill the space between cells and keep the skin smooth, elastic and hydrated,” says Dr Duarte. “Injectable HA is a gel product and its application is made under local anaesthesia so that the treatment is as painless as possible.”

5) Aqua gold fine touch facial

Aquagold is a luxury 24-carat gold facial device that delivers a personalised cocktail with microdoses of Botox, fillers and other skin vitamins for a full-face rejuvenation. “This innovation uses 24-carat gold screw thread with micro-injection needles to offer a bespoke cocktail of skin ingredients for an instant glow. It can help treat melasma, pigmentation, pores and gives overall skin plumping and tightening results. It is also great for dull and dry skin,” says Dr Gupta.

6) Thermage FLX

“If you’re looking for a quick, one-and-done treatment, this one is ideal,” says Dr Bijlani. The applied heat separates the water molecules from the fibrous collagen, causing an immediate contraction, which results in skin tightening. The collagen continues to remodel and tighten with time. 

7) PicoSure laser

“When it comes to lasers for skin tightening and fine lines, PicoSure—which is the world’s first picosecond laser delivers fabulous results, with the added bonus of working on open pores, scars and skin brightening as well,” says Dr Bijlani. This kind of laser has less heat and is safer for people of all skin types. 

Also read:

How to remove every kind of scar, from acne to hyperpigmentation

A celebrity skin expert’s guide to improving skin elasticity

7 ways you can increase skin collagen production