Due to stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns in 2020, plans were stalled and lives were disrupted. Even in-person beauty treatments like monthly facials were put on hold. What’s more, the stressful year may have brought into focus skin issues such as worry lines and mask-induced breakouts, and the new Zoom culture has led us to being conscious about double chins, eye bags and wrinkles we didn’t know were there.
Now that people feel safer about booking appointments and restarting their regimen, here are some of the top skin treatments in 2021 and what problems they address:
Laser Resurfacing Treatments
Instead of using four to five different lasers for multiple skin concerns like unwanted pigmentation, acne, scars, fine lines and wrinkles, advances in laser technology have made it possible to treat all these with just one device. This also means a lot less downtime or even no downtime at all. These resurfacing treatments can also be combined with other treatments for amplified results.
Hydration, Vitamin and Oxygen Infusions
For quick and noticeable results, vitamin shots or IVs (intravenous drips) are much recommended by skin care experts. When paired with other treatments, these increase skin hydration, promote new collagen formation and enhance blood supply. The oxygen infusion also addresses dark circles and tired and brittle skin. You know those at-home masks that leave your skin feeling hydrated afterward? Well these shots do that but on a deeper level, so your face is immediately smoother and plumper.
Microcurrent Facials
Also known as the non-invasive facelift, this gentle procedure is performed with devices that send low-grade electric current into the facial muscles, to “train” them to appear firmer, more lifted and tightened. The electrical waves mimic the body’s innate healing process, bringing the fluids, muscles and bones into alignment. Apart from de-puffing and contouring the face, lifting the cheekbones, and minimizing the appearance of crow’s feet, the treatment also promotes bodily detoxification as it moves lymph fluid in the face.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
This skin-tightening procedure is non-surgical and thus, has become a favorite among patients, dermatologists and even facial plastic surgeons. It combines two powerful technologies to target skin sagging, hyperpigmentation, texture inconsistencies, huge pores, acne and wrinkles. Standard microneedling uses tiny needles to create microwounds in the skin to trigger the production of capillaries, elastin and collagen. With radiofrequency (RF) waves, the needles release RF into the wounds, causing more damage and thereby enhancing the effects of microneedling. The skin that grows back is thicker and smoother.
LED and NIR Therapy
Many dermatologist’s clinics have light emitting diode (LED) technology with all three lights (red, blue and near infrared) at once. Blue is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and prevents acne. Red is regenerative on the cellular level, so it increases collagen and elastin over time, softens fine lines and wrinkles and helps heal scars and pigmentation irregularities. The near infrared (NIR) light is anti-inflammatory, boosts circulation and promoted healing. A 30-minute session delivers the same results as 90 minutes’ worth of LED therapy. The plumping effect is immediate and doesn’t require much additional time and cost.