What age should you start cosmetic treatments?

One of the most common concerns that our patients come to us with is how to look younger and specifically what age should they start getting cosmetic treatments? We all know that being vigilant with your skincare routine at a young age is vital to maintaining a youthful glow. Although a skincare regimen with quality products can do wonders for nurturing your skin, non-invasive cosmetic treatments can be a powerful tool for preserving radiant and healthy skin well into your 40’s, 50’s, and beyond. Laying the groundwork for healthy skin at a young age can help you resolve or even avoid common skin imperfections that result from sun exposure, aging, acne and other environmental factors.
We’ve developed a guide with common trouble areas and their corresponding treatments based on the age you may want to consider these services.

Cosmetic Treatments in your 20’s

Your 20’s is the optimal time to set a foundation for healthy skin care. Preventative treatments can be used to avoid future skin problems and corrective treatments can be used to reduce or eliminate the appearance of existing skin concerns to make skin look younger and healthier. During your 20’s it’s common to experience acne, unwanted hair, scars, and dull skin. The following cosmetic treatments can be considered to remedy these trouble areas:

Preventative Botox

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from young people is ‘ What age should I start botox?’ Preventative Botox is the same procedure as normal Botox treatments, however the procedure is performed on those in their 20’s and early 30’s as a preventative measure against fine lines and wrinkles. Preventative Botox is injected to partially paralyze the muscles responsible for wrinkles, crow’s feet, and furrow lines so they can’t be further deepened by underlying muscular contraction. So, to answer the question, your 20s is a great time to start preventative Botox in order to stop wrinkles in their tracks before they even appear.

Hydrafacials

The Hydrafacial is a medical grade resurfacing treatment for the face which can be customized to meet the specific needs of all skin types. Hydrafacial treatments consist of cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and restoring vital components to skin such as peptides, antioxidants, and Hyaluronic Acid. Through the use of vacuum technology and serums, a Vortex-Fusion tip creates a swirling effect to easily dislodge and remove impurities while simultaneously delivering hydrating skin solutions. The Hydrafacial is a powerful and effective facial for anyone who is looking to improve fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, firmness, even tone, vibrancy, skin texture, brown spots, oily or congested skin and large pores.

Cosmetic Laser Treatments

The Cutera Excel V laser is a solid-state laser system that uses various light wavelengths to address more than 20 unique indications on all skin types. Our cosmetic laser treatments can be used to treat spider varicose veins, sunspots, skin pigmentations, bruising, and lesions among other skin imperfections. Furthermore, Laser Genesis Facials can be used to soften fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness, reduce uneven skin tones, minimize pore size, and create smoother, tighter skin. Laser facials are great solutions for those suffering from excessive facial redness, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and overexposure to the sun. Because cosmetic laser treatments can be personalized to target specific issues, they’re perfect for those with unique skin care concerns.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a safe, non-invasive treatment to permanently get rid of unwanted hair. With soft, pulsating high-intensity light waves, the laser focuses directly on the hair follicle. A controlled amount of heat is sent to the hair follicle to be eliminated. Additionally, this gentle laser includes sapphire cooling technology, which follows the heat wave, and creates a near painless process. Laser hair removal can treat hair on the face, arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, back and chest. The treatment is meant for both men and women of any skin type, and for both smaller and larger areas where hair is present.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a process also known as Collagen Induction Therapy that is used to not only treat pre-existing wrinkles and scars, but to penetrate below the surface and prevent new wrinkles before they form. During the procedure, small needles cause superficial damage to the skin, stimulating skin cell regeneration. As the skin heals, new collagen forms, causing the skin to thicken and tighten, leaving your skin more radiant and smooth. In addition to the texture and firmness of your face improving, scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, fine lines and pore size all diminish. Popularized by Kim Kardashian as the infamous “Vampire Facial”, microneedling has become one of the most widely used and effective treatments for an array of skin concerns.

Chemical Peel

Over time, the outer layer of our skin begins to show damage from sun exposure, harsh chemicals, acne scars and other environmental factors resulting in a dull and aged appearance. By using the Perfect Peel, our team at SDBotox can help reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots. Through a blend of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), Retinoic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Vitamin C, and other minerals, chemical peels are able to safely remove damaged layers of the skin, promote cellular turnover, and refine the surface layer for smoother, clearer, and firmer skin. Through the recommended series of two to four treatments, spaced a month apart and a proper skincare routine, patients can see long term results of more youthful skin.

Cosmetic Treatments in your 30’s

While your 30’s can be a time of newfound stability and growth, they can also come with a lot of increased stress, busier schedules and noticeably aging skin. Many people deem their 30s as the best time of their lives and we believe the condition of your skin should reflect that. Concerns that present themselves in your 30’s may include wrinkles, sun sports, fine lines, stretch marks, cellulite, and scars. The following cosmetic treatments can be considered to remedy these problems in addition to the previously listed treatments:

Botox

Wrinkles result from a combination of many factors including cellular changes that can occur over time, reduction of collagen, and damage caused by free radicals in the sun and the environment. When you frown or squint, the muscles between your brows and around your eyes contract, causing your skin to furrow and fold resulting in wrinkles, crow’s feet and fine lines. Botox reduces fine lines and wrinkles by partially paralyzing the muscles responsible for these lines so they can’t be further deepened by underlying muscular contraction. With time, the wrinkles fade and you’re left with a more youthful appearance.

Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic Acid based injectable fillers are used to stimulate new collagen formation and directly add volume to the skin resulting in a fuller and more youthful appearance. Hyaluronic Acid is structurally similar to collagen and has the same appearance when injected into various areas and depths of the face. Because it is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, there is a near-zero risk of an allergic reaction and Hyaluronic Acid based fillers are reversible and can safely be removed in the future if desired.

Coolsculpting

CoolSculpting is an FDA approved, completely non-invasive way to get rid of stubborn areas of fat and contour your muscles. This treatment doesn’t require any needles or invasive procedures, the CoolSculpting machine is simply attached to the problem area and uses controlled cooling technology to target, freeze and crystallize fat cells without affecting the overlying skin. In the following weeks and months after the treatment, the body progressively absorbs the dead cells and unwanted fat is filtered through the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. Most patients see a 20-25% reduction in fat in the treated area within one to three months.

Cosmetic Treatments in your 40’s & up

Your 40’s and onward are a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and to enjoy the confidence that you’ve developed over time. While this can be an incredibly empowering time in your life, it can also be a time where the effect of aging has become more apparent. This is the perfect age to look for new ways to make skin look younger and healthier. New concerns that may arise include sagging skin, varicose veins, deeper wrinkles, jowls, pigmentation and dull skin. The following cosmetic treatments can be considered to remedy these problems in addition to the previously listed treatments:

Kybella

Kybella is a treatment designed to reduce or eliminate unwanted chin features. It is a human-made version of deoxycholic acid, a substance our bodies produce naturally to absorb fat. The deoxycholic acid is injected in specific areas to decrease the amount of fat and tighten the overlying skin. Unlike Botox, it works to dissolve fat from the chin area. It is the first, and only FDA approved product that dissolves fat from the “double chin.” Although Kybella injections are primarily used under the chin, it can also be used to decrease the appearance of the jowls.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that can help treat and eliminate varicose veins, more commonly known as spider veins. Varicose veins can be extremely painful and unsightly when the veins swell and bulge, usually in the legs. This is due to weak vein walls that, in turn, weaken the vein valves. As a result, blood pools up the veins, causing them to swell and become more visible. During this treatment, a solution called a sclerosant is injected directly into the vein or lymph vessel that is being targeted. The solution irritates the vessel, causing it to swell, which cuts off the flow of blood or lymphatic fluid causing the vessel to shrink.

IPL Laser Treatments

IPL (Intense Pulse Light) laser therapy is a non-invasive cosmetic skin procedure that is used to combat pigmentation, reduce the effects of aging and stimulate the growth of collagen. This treatment works by transmitting intense light deep into the skin. As it pulses, the light absorbs into both the blood or the melanin, removing any lesions or pigmentation in the skin. The body naturally works to heal the areas treated, resulting in even-toned, younger looking skin with a healthy glow.

Get Started To Make Skin Look Younger and Healthier

Starting a solid skin care foundation and developing a strong relationship with a trusted dermatologist is one of the best gifts you can give yourself at a young age. While you certainly don’t need to do all of the treatments we mentioned at each age, working with a dermatologist to develop a course of action with a combination of the right treatments will ensure that your skin is healthy and youthful for years to come. If you’re interested in beginning cosmetic treatments, get in touch with us to set up a consultation.