Achieving clear and soft skin is deemed important by many people, not simply because it improves appearance, but it generally performs a variety of functions for one’s overall health. The human skin is the largest organ in the body that you should consistently maintain through proper diet, exercise, sleep, and skincare and cosmetic intervention, which is what people love to engage in.
In order to achieve better skin, people spend a huge sum of money to go under the knife. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in the United States alone, about 18 million people have undergone surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in 2018.
With this in mind, here are the most popular cosmetic procedures to achieve that clear and soft skin:
IPL Laser Treatment
By utilizing a laser therapy-like technique, Intense Pulsed Light or IPL laser treatment is a skin rejuvenating treatment that uses multiple wavelengths of light energy to eliminate damaged, pigmented skin cells and removes hair follicles.
Compared to traditional light therapy that uses single light wavelengths, IPL treatments are done in a shorter period of time since it targets a larger area of the skin with multiple wavelengths. IPL treatment is done through a handheld device that heats and breaks down skin cells. With the skin’s ability to turn over cells, the damaged tissues will be naturally removed.
Since everyone’s skin isn’t the same, it might take multiple sessions to complete the procedure. The effectiveness of IPL laser treatments is also affected by skin color – white to light brown skin can benefit more from this procedure compared to dark skin.
Chemical Peels
Although hearing the word ‘chemical’ might scare you, chemical peels deliver promising results to people aiming for clearer and softer skin. They improve the skin’s texture and appearance in the face, neck, and hands.
Basically, as the name of the procedure suggests, a chemical peel is characterized by applying a layer of a chemical solution to the skin, which eventually blisters and peels off. Beneath the peeled skin reveals new, less wrinkled, and smoother skin.
Specifically, here are the benefits of undergoing chemical peels:
- Treat specific cases of acne.
- Target wrinkles acquired from aging and sun damage.
- Minimize freckles, spots, and dark patches (melasma) caused by birth control pills or pregnancy.
- Lessen fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth area.
- Improve the overall look and feel of the skin.
Microneedling
Also known as Dermapen or Rejuvapen, microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure characterized by a collagen induction therapy to promote skin cell regeneration and rejuvenation. In microneedling, needles make small punctures on the epidermis, the uppermost layer of the skin. This then encourages the body to produce more collagen and elastin.
Collagen is an abundant protein that serves as the structure of many parts of the body, such as bones, tendons, ligaments, and most importantly, the skin. Because of the abundance in collagen, your skin is elastic and hydrated. Because of aging, collagen production commonly slows down, which is accountable for the fine lines and wrinkles forming in your skin.
So, how does microneedling work? Does it hurt as much as it sounds? Before your microneedling procedure, your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to minimize the pain caused by the needling. With a pen-like tool, your doctor will then make small punctures into your skin, which isn’t noticeable after the procedure.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a popular choice among people experiencing skin problems. It’s a procedure that uses a high-speed instrument with an abrasive brush or wheel to “sand” your skin. This abrasive method will remove the outer layers of your skin and make way for a new and smoother one.
However, dermabrasion only caters to fair skin, promising more effective and safer results. This technique was developed to improve scars caused by acne, pox, accidents, and diseases. Unfortunately, they can’t target other congenital skin conditions, pigmented birthmarks, moles, and burn scars.
If dermabrasion focuses on the deeper defects of the skin, a similarly named technique called microdermabrasion deals with the superficial dead layer of the skin. This procedure uses small exfoliating crystals sprayed on the skin. It works on different skin types and colors, treating brown spots, dull skin, and age spots.
PRP Microneedling
Compared to the standard sessions of microneedling, there’s another special procedure that uses the same technique but with a twist – the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) microneedling. This procedure is performed following the traditional microneedling since it’s known to boost the effects of microneedling. When combined, these two procedures are popularly known as the “vampire facial.”
After your standard microneedling, your doctor will use a professional-grade derma roller on certain areas of your face as a preparation step. While your face is numbing, blood will be drawn, usually from your arm, using a syringe. Your blood sample will be put into a centrifuge, which will separate different components of your blood.
The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) will be injected into your skin using controlled micro punctures for deeper penetration. Once the procedure is done, your skin may develop some redness and minor irritation.
Key Takeaways
Due to further research and technology, the skincare and cosmetic industry keeps up with its innovations. People have various reasons and motivations to avail of different cosmetic procedures, but they should be responsible enough to find the right places to get these treatments done.
To achieve better, clearer, and softer skin, consider trying these cosmetic procedures and enjoy its confidence-boosting effects.