Medspa treatments for a vibrant, smooth complexion
By LaRue V. Gillespie
The holidays are just around the bend, and we’re betting you’d love to look picture perfect for all those snap-worthy occasions lining up lickety-split on your calendar. If your skin needs some freshening up—or some serious TLC—you might consider some of these promising treatments you can schedule and have taken care of at your local medspa in no time at all.
Injectables
For worry lines and crow’s feet, nothing beats injectables like Botox or Dysport for a smoother, younger looking face. Results are realized within four to seven days and last about three to four months based on the product you choose.
Fillers
Marionette lines, nasal labial folds, and areas that have lost volume can be handled with fillers such as Restylane,Juvederm, Lyft, and Voluma. How do you choose the right filler?
First, find an injector you trust, and work together on your decision. It should be someone who has proper training, an artistic eye, and experience. An experienced and established injector will help guide you based on your skin thickness, deficits, goals, upcoming events, and budget.
Skin Resurfacing
Next generation technology in skin resurfacing and facial remodeling such as Viva by Venus Concepts combines nano-fractional radio frequency and SmartScan technology, effectively treating textural irregularities, scarring, wrinkles, and stretch marks while tightening the skin. This improves texture and corrects pigmentation, rosacea, and acne scarring. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) can also help with tough pigmentation issues and even out your skin tone.
Peels
Peels, such as the PCA Jessner medical grade peels, are a less expensive and less invasive treatment option—but don’t discount their potent ability. These peels can provide beautiful results, and there is virtually no downtime based on the level of peel desired.
Microneedling
This is a process that can have the most downtime, depending on the provider. This process damages the outer layer of the skin. The FDA has just recently begun to be regulate this procedure. Ask your provider if their equipment is FDA approved. It can be effective in tightening the skin, scarring, and reducing pore size if you can afford the downtime.
Micro-Channeling
Aquagold is a first-of-its kind treatment that boasts 24K hypoallergenic, gold-plated needles that inject a neurotoxin and an HA based filler or PRP at the same time in micro-doses all over the skin, making the skin look smooth and airbrushed. Known on the street as the thirty-minute facial.
Botox for the Neck?
Most people know Botox is great for those lines on the forehead, crow’s feet, and between the brows, but did you know that it can help make your neck look smoother and younger?
“Botox can help with vertical pull lines, tiny muscles that we no longer use,” explained Anna D. Guanche, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in cosmetic procedures in Calabasas, Calif. “When no longer contracting, they lay flat, providing a neck that looks smoother.”
Skin Facts
November has been designated as National Healthy Skin Month by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Here are a few skin facts from the AAD—some fun and some a little weird.
- The average adult has approximately 16 to 22 square feet of skin, which weighs around 20 pounds on average
- Skin accounts for about 15 percent of your body weight
- The skin has three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutis
- Skin is thickest on the palms and soles, and thinnest on the eyelids
- Your skin completely renews itself every 28 days by constantly shedding dead cells
- Skin sheds around 30,000 cells per minute
- A large part of the dust in your home is actually made up of dead skin cells
