Thanks to recent technological advances, noninvasive procedures are now capable of making you look younger than ever before. From skin tightening to fat melting, these proven, in-office options are topping the charts at doctors’ offices across the country. And the best part? You get real results without going under the knife.
Light-Based Skin Rejuvenation: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
What it is: Safe, short bursts of visible light that are emitted from a lamp to remove age spots, diffuse redness and uneven pigmentation and improve skin texture. It works in the same way as a laser, but emits a broader range of wavelengths that allows for treatment of a variety of skin types.
What to expect: Many people describe the treatment as a warming sensation that is similar to that of a sunburn.
What the expert says: “IPL is the most popular device at my practice and typically gives really great results,” says West Palm Beach, FL, dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. “We typically treat the face, neck and chest, and it’s ideal for those with lighter skin who have moderate damage (we use lasers for those with more damage). We have plenty of patients that come in a few times to have their skin reset, and then come in once every quarter to keep their skin looking great.”
Skin Tightening: Ultherapy
What it is: A micro-focused ultrasound device for lifting and tightening the forehead (brow area) and neck, as well improvement of lines and wrinkles on the décolleté. The device targets deep tissue below the surface of the skin to stimulate new collagen formation and tightening with no downtime.
What to expect: According to the company, as the ultrasound energy is delivered, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Comfort levels vary from person to person, but the sensation only lasts while the ultrasound energy is being delivered.
What the expert says: “In my experience, Ultherapy consistently improves skin quality and delays further progression of skin laxity,” says New York dermatologist Lee Ann M. Klausner, MD.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing: Fraxel
What it is: Fractional laser technology that helps restore your skin to its original, unblemished texture with a healthy, youthful glow. It is designed to even out skin tone, minimize pores, erase brown spots, and reduce acne scars, surgical scars, fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage.
What to expect: Dr. Beer says that most patients describe an increased heat sensation during the treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn that usually subsides in one to three hours.
What the expert says: “I love using the Fraxel laser on the face, neck and chest—it works to resurface your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out,” says Dr. Beer.
Fat Melting: CoolSculpting
What it is: A fat-reduction device that uses cryolipolysis (a cooling technology) to freeze fat cells, which then get processed in the body over time and eliminated naturally.
What to expect: According to the company, the device is positioned on your body and controlled cooling is applied. As the cooling begins, you will feel pressure and intense cold for the first few minutes, which will soon dissipate. Many people read, watch videos, work on their laptop, or even take a nap during their treatment.
What the expert says: “The ideal candidate is someone who is not looking for drastic weight loss and maintains a healthy diet and exercise, but is bothered by stubborn pockets of fat on their body,” says New York dermatologist David J. Goldberg, MD. “You can expect on average a 20-25 percent reduction in fat. The results are long-lasting, because once you remove the fat from an area, it does not come back. This is why maintaining a proper diet and exercise routine is so critical in maintaining your results.”
