- Purpose: Dermal fillers (e.g., hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm or Restylane) are used to add volume to areas like the cheeks, lips, and under-eye hollows, and to smooth out wrinkles and folds. Results are often instant and can last from several months to over a year.
- Side Effects: Common side effects include swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness at the injection site. Rarely, lumps or asymmetry may occur. A more serious side effect is vascular occlusion, which happens if the filler is injected into a blood vessel and can lead to tissue damage.
- Purpose: Botulinum toxins like Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin relax facial muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines.
- Side Effects: Temporary bruising, redness, and swelling are common. Rare side effects include headache, drooping eyelids or eyebrows (ptosis), and facial asymmetry. The effects generally wear off within 3-6 months.
- Purpose: Chemical peels involve applying a solution to exfoliate the skin, promoting the growth of smoother, more evenly toned skin. Superficial peels treat fine lines, acne, and pigmentation, while deeper peels address wrinkles and scarring.
- Side Effects: Mild redness, dryness, and peeling are common after superficial peels. Deeper peels can cause more intense redness, swelling, and increased sensitivity. Risks include scarring, infection, and pigmentation changes, especially in those with darker skin tones.
- Purpose: Microneedling uses small needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. This improves skin texture, reduces fine lines, and treats acne scars.
- Side Effects: Redness, swelling, and mild irritation may occur, typically lasting a few days. More rarely, there may be bleeding, bruising, infection, or pigmentation changes.
- Purpose: Lasers and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) are used to improve skin texture, tone, pigmentation, vascular lesions, and hair removal. Laser resurfacing can also reduce fine lines and acne scars.
- Side Effects: Redness, swelling, and sensitivity are common post-treatment effects. Rare side effects include burns, scarring, pigment changes, and infection, particularly if not performed by an experienced provider.
- Purpose: Radiofrequency (RF) treatments (e.g., Thermage) and ultrasound-based treatments (e.g., Ultherapy) use heat to stimulate collagen production, tighten skin, and improve laxity.
- Side Effects: Temporary redness, swelling, and discomfort are common. In rare cases, there may be burns, blistering, or uneven skin texture.
- Purpose: Microdermabrasion exfoliates the top layer of skin using a fine spray of crystals or a diamond tip to improve the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation, and acne.
- Side Effects: Mild redness, dryness, and sensitivity are typical for a day or two post-treatment. Rarely, hyperpigmentation or tiny abrasions may occur.