In my article “ Proven ways to get drop dead gorgeous skin” I discuss things you can do at home and lifestyle changes that will help you achieve the skin you want.
But the topic doesn’t stop there!!
There are minimally invasive in office procedures that can be combined with everything listed in my previous article allowing you to get QUICKER results.
Done by professionals these procedures usually have downtime associated with them (except dermaplaning) but TOTALLY worth it and depending on your skin care concerns you can choose which one(s) are right for you. Or better yet let the professonals decide based on YOUR skincare concerns.
According to recent statistics the procedures listed below rank high on the Top Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures with Chemical Peel ranking highest on the list
So Lets get started!
#1 Chemical Peels
The average epidermal skin turnover is about 30 days but this period gets longer as we get older. A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing procedure usually involving acids which remove the top layer of the skin and sometimes deeper layers so new skin cells come to the surface revealing healthier, radiant , smoother skin .
There are many different type of peels to address your skin care concerns such as dark/sun spots, melasma, acne scarring, dullness etc. Depending on your skin concerns, an experienced aesthetician/clinician will be able to guide you .
Expect some downtime depending on the strength of the peel. Peels range from penetrating the superficial layers of skin all the way down to the deeper dermis layer. Chemical peels induce inflammation.
Hmm..What does this mean????
Think Out with the old and In with the New
End goal: Rejuvenated, Fresh, Healthy, Radiant skin with more even skin tone and texture.
#2 Microneedling
Microneedling involves creating little microinjuries to the skin using very small fine needles ( usually attached to a device in a professional office). The body thinks its injured and starts its healing process. This in turn recruits fibroblasts which promotes collagen and elastin synthesis. Think of these as precursors for “ bouncy” and wrinkle free skin.
Great for pores, wrinkles, acne scarring , pigmentation , texture irregularities
Microneedling with Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency is a type of energy that has been scientifically proven to promote dermal collagen remodeling. This energy is safe and effective for cosmetic improvements that include scar reduction and skin tightening. The energy usually goes deeper into the dermis hence combining it with microneedling gets you even better results than traditional microneedling.
It’s Simple, safe ,effective, and minimally invasive.
Numbing cream is always applied so pain should be minimal.
The Venus Viva is the one I use now at The Enhancers and it differs in that it uses nano fractional RF through microfractional pins intead of needles. The pins create wounds which allows the heat energy to enter deep into the skin
I am IN LOVE with the results!
Expect some down time for any type of microneedling usually 3-7 days
Can be done on ALL skin types
Now for icing on the cake!
What\’s usually added with microneedling ? The INCREDIBLE Platelet Rich Plasma.
What is Platelet Rich plasma (PRP)?
SO im sure you have heard of the vampire facial and if you haven’t it’s a name given to the procedure : microneedling with PRP.
Platelets are very small cells in your blood that are involved in the clotting process. When PRP is injected or applied to microneedled skin it causes a mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade.
As the platelets organize in the tissue they release a number of enzymes including multiple Growth Factors to promote healing and restoration of tissue. They have also been shown anecdotally to promote hair growth ( future article on PRP and hair)
After Microneedling, PRP is applied directly to the channels that were created from the microneedling to further stimulate the natural healing process and creation of collagen.
I think it’s the most cost effective treatment for mild acne scarring, improving skin texture and anti-aging.
Usually requires a few treatments initially spaced 4-6 weeks apart and then maintanence treatments which can vary from 2-3 times a year.
The results are not immediate with this procedure but but think of it as an investment process for amazing skin down the road.
Because I still have some acne scarring I feel this procedure has helped my skin tremendously.
End Goal: Diminshed scarring for smoother skin, Decreased pores, Less wrinkles for a youthful appearance
#3 Dermaplaning
What is it?
It is a procedure which involves a Scalpel to the face used in fine precise motions to remove dead layers of skin and also remove those fine hairs which is also referred to as \’peach fuzz\”. Think of it as superficial exfoliation to brighten dull skin.
Skin products sink in better after this procedure. Go to a professional because it is a blade we are talking about here. And a wrong angle or too much pressure can lead to unwanted cuts and scarring.
Dermaplaning Brightens the skin immediately
It is quick and painless
End Goal: smoother, brighter skin and Bonus–>foundation/makeup applies soooooo smoothly after
#4 Aquagold Microinfusion
AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ treatment is a microinfusion procedure that uses tiny needles to create micro-channels in the skin delivering skin boosting ingedients the surface of the skin.. The blended skin cocktail usually comprises of botox, hyaluronic acid filler and platelet rich plasma ( see above).
The handheld device uses 20 gold plated microscopic needles, each needle finer than a human hair, to deliver ingredients into the superficial layer of skin. This is in contrast to microneedling, which creates deeper channels into the skin.
The microdroplets of botox and filler work differently than in the traditional sense when used for injections. The botox tightens and decreases oil production and pore size. The hyaluronic acid filler plumps and hydrates the skin. The results are immediate.
The PRP stimulates fibroblasts and growth factors factors to help stimulate collagen over time.
The great thing about this procedure is that it can be customized for your skin care concerns. Feeling more dry in the in winter? More filler will be added. Enlarged pores in the summer? More botox will be added.
Usually No bleeding or bruising since the blood vessels are usually deeper in the dermis
I call it the mega facial leaving you with glowing Instagram filter like skin for a few months , who doesn’t want that !?
Another upside to this procedure? There is minimal downtime , usually 24 hours, as opposed to microneedling
#5 Fractional Resurfacing
There are many different lasers that fall into this category. It’s not important to know the brand names but it’s important to understand what they do for the skin .
They fall into two categories nonablative and ablative .
The nonablative is able to heat the deeper skin tissue without causing damage to the top layer of skin . This means less downtime ! The ablative laser removes the top layer of skin while heating the underlying tissue as well. Results are more dramatic but downtime is usually 1-2 weeks .
Usually need one treatment to see great results with an ablative laser and a few treatments with a non ablative laser.
This procedure is amazing for ANY major skin issue . From sun spots to wrinkles to acne scarring to texture irregularities . Depending on your skin concern the right treatment/laser should be recommended for you .
Instead of spending hundred of dollars on skin products, I feel this is worth the investment in the long run.
#6 IPL
This is the ultimate procedure when it comes to premature aging of the skin from the sun aka photoaging .
The go to procedure for sunspots.
The only thing is it can only be done on certain skin types ( darker skin types are excluded due to the fact there is chance of darkening of skin called hyperpigmentation)
If you have sun spots, rosacea, uneven skin tone and even acne this is the procedure for you.
Broad spectrum Light is delivered which heats up deeper layers of the skin destroying sun spots, melasma, broken capillaries, and some other types of brown spots.
The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the blood when treating vascular lesions or the melanin when treating pigmented lesions, damaging them as the end result. . The body’s natural processes then removes the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.
Again it is Safe with minimal side effects and minimal downtime
I’ve tried mostly all the procedures myself ( except for IPL since I do not qualify based on my brown skin tone and fractional ablative laser) and continue microneedling and nonablative fractional resurfacing for healthy skin maintenance.
AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ is my new favorite and whenever I have an event or know my skin needs a quick pick me up this is my go to procedure.
Remember its never to late to start! The minimally invasive treatments will get you better and faster results but my rules in “proven ways to get drop dead gorgeous skin\’ will maintain the effort you put in.
Dr Khiani MD
