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Needles aren’t for everyone. Actually, a more accurate thing to say is probably: needles aren’t most people’s idea of a fun time, but some of us are more willing than others to endure a little pain and queasiness in return for younger-looking skin. The demand for skincare procedures like Botox and hyaluronic fillers may be sky-high, and you may be bombarded with countless celeb examples on social media of how a little Juvederm can do make skin smoother, but if none of this is up your alley, you don’t have to kiss all skin procedures good-bye. There are a number of needles-less solutions that can give you taut, more youthful-looking skin. Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, board certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic, NYC, let SHEFinds.com in on the one needle-free treatment dermatologists say you should try over 40 for younger looking skin, as well as a few additional procedures worth considering.
Ultherapy
Dr. Engelman describes ultherapy as a noninvasive and FDA-approved treatment that yields results similar to a facelift (but less extreme). “Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to heat the skin, which stimulates active collagen production,” Dr. Engelman says. “After the treatment, skin will appear tighter and firmer in the face, neck and chest, and the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles will be diminished - overall resulting in a more youthful appearance. There is no downtime (making this a great option for patients who want a more youthful appearance without sacrificing a lot of time, or going under the knife).”
Cost: This one will cost you a pretty penny, but the results may make it worth it. One Ultherapy session usually costs between $2,500 and $4,000. Results can take about two to three months to develop, and several sessions are usually recommended.
LED light therapy/masks
If you’re looking for a less costly needle-free treatment, Dr. Engelman also recommends LED light therapy, which sends light waves deep into the skin to trigger natural intracellular reactions. “The type of light wave used influences the skin's response - which makes LED light therapy great for either targeting specific skin concerns, or multi-tasking to achieve overall skin wellness,” Dr. Engelman says. “Red light strengthens cellular structure, accelerates skin repair, reduces inflammation and minimizes the appearance of pores. Blue light is antibacterial, reduces oil production, prevents acne and treats eczema and psoriasis. White light tightens the skin and reduces inflammation. Amber stimulates collagen and elastin production for more youthful-looking skin.
Cost: Usually, six to eight treatments are recommended for best results, according to Dr. Engelman, each costing about $25 to $85 in-office. You can also purchase LED light therapy masks to use at home, which range in price from about $150 to $500 or more.
Lasers
“Laser treatments have numerous benefits, from making skin more youthful and firm, to treating hyperpigmentation and scars,” Dr. Engelman says. “There are different types of laser treatments, including: ablative laser treatments, non-ablative laser treatments, broad-band light or intense pulsed light (BBL or IPL) and other energy modalities (radio frequency, ultrasound, and thermal energy treatments). All laser light treatments work by targeting color in the skin. When the laser energy finds these pigment targets, it super-heats them, creating a controlled ‘injury’ to the skin that triggers the body’s natural healing processes.”
Cost/Down Time: With laser treatments, there is usually some downtime, pain, and redness around the target area - it may feel similar to a sunburn, and should take about one to seven days to go away, Dr. Engelman says. Depending on the type of laser treatment and the desired results, this procedure can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500.
Ambari skincare
Many luxury skincare products cost a lot of money and don’t deliver on their promises. But if you’re looking for a dermatologist-approved at-home treatment, Dr. Engleman recommends Ambari's active skincare line - which is almost like a "facial in a bottle.” “Their PM Active12 Serum, meant to be used only at night, contains their proprietary Modern Blend® which combines AHAs, antioxidant-rich adaptogens and broad-spectrum oil to help minimize pores and fine lines, fight free radical damage and reduce acne while brightening and smoothing skin,” Dr. Engelman says.
