The new year has arrived and like many others, you’ve committed to a new you! Just doing a little editing on your face- be it erasing fine lines, softening furrows, evening out patchy spots, tightening loose skin- can make you look and feel more refreshed and ready to tackle your goals. Fortunately, there are many treatments with minimal downtime!

Top 5 Facial Rejuvenation Trends:

1. Injectables:

These include injections of botulinum toxins such as Botox, Xeomin, and the new trendy Jeuveau; as well as, hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvederm and Restylane. Botulinum toxins work by blocking signals from nerves to muscles. The injected muscle can no longer contract. When used correctly by a well-trained physician, this can cause wrinkles to soften and relax. It is mostly used on forehead lines, fine wrinkles around the eyes, glabellar/frown lines, and necklines. Botulinum injections are relatively affordable, have very few risks, and have practically no downtime. Hyaluronic acid fillers are injected under the skin and can treat many cosmetic concerns. They are great for filling fine vertical lines around the mouth, add more volume to lips, restore fullness to hollowing cheeks and eyes, and better defining the jawline. Hyaluronic acid fillers are eventually absorbed by the body. These also offer quick recovery, with low risks.

2. Lasers and Light:

Lasers have numerous indications. Lasers can remove moderate and deep wrinkles, dramatically improve skin tone, texture, and tightness. Deep, ablative lasers remove outer layers of the skin, often require anesthetic injections or light sedation to keep a patient comfortable, and have a longer recovery. Non-ablative lasers leave the outer layers of the skin intact and target deeper layers. Often times, these treatments only require topical anesthetic creams/gels and have a quicker recovery. Photorejuvenation with light therapy is also becoming a more popular, non-invasive technique to improve tone and tighten skin. Phototherapy, like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or BroadBand Light (BBL), also targets cells with specific colors, or chromophores, within the skin, and offers a very quick recovery. Both lasers and light therapy are great for improving skin tone, getting rid of acne, removing broken blood vessels, clearing sun damage, and tightening skin.

3. Radiofrequency:

Radiofrequency works by targeting deep skin tissue with radiofrequency (RF) energy, which generates heat and results in new collagen and elastin production. RF treatments are great for tightening sagging skin anywhere on the body, and many of these treatments can be done quickly and without any downtime.

4. Microneedling:

Microneedling devices deliver a series of controlled wounds beneath the surface of the skin. This triggers the body’s own natural collagen and elastin production to help rejuvenate the skin. This minimally invasive procedure can be combined with radiofrequency or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for a stronger effect. This technique is also great for treating acne scars, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, and uneven skin tone.

5. Surgery:

Sometimes, surgery is the best option! Newer surgical techniques can result in long-lasting results with minimal scar, and can certainly be combined with any of the above for complete facial rejuvenation. Blepharoplasty, for example, is a relatively straightforward, popular procedure to address heavy lids and rejuvenate the eyes. Other procedures can include brow lifts, lid lifts (ptosis repair), mid-facelifts, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or even full facelifts. While surgery has a longer recovery, it can still be performed very safely with outstanding results by qualified surgeons.

Many of these treatments are minimally invasive, or non-invasive and effective in rejuvenating your face. Although low-risk, convenient, and effective, it is always important to choose a well-qualified, board-certified physician. All procedures have some risk, but you can mitigate the risk by choosing a physician who is well-trained and has knowledge in these treatments. A new year brings new opportunities to feel and look better!! Now is a great time to consider facial rejuvenation as there many new technologies and devices out on the market that are non-invasive and can produce noticeable changes. Talk to your physician to find the best options for you! Happy New Year, Happy New You!