Best Noninvasive Anti-Aging Treatments: Benefits and Efficacy

• Nonsurgical anti-aging treatments can produce noticeable results and are minimally invasive 
• Effective anti-aging treatments include Botox and Xeomin neurotoxin injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels and microdermabrasion
• Neurotoxin and dermal filler injections provide immediate results
• Microdermabrasion and laser treatments require repeat visits to achieve the best results

Anti-aging treatments are noninvasive solutions that are designed to prevent or reverse the signs of aging to maintain or restore a more youthful appearance.  

Skin changes dramatically with age, and begins with the gradual loss of collagen and elastin production, proteins integral to skin firmness and elasticity. Skin becomes thin, lax and loses volume which leads to the formation of wrinkles, lines and deep creases.

 Long-term exposure to UVA and UVB rays also cause wrinkles, leathery skin and hyperpigmented spots. All these negatives contribute to an aged appearance.    

Anti-Aging Treatments in 2023

There are a number of established professional procedures available that can help counteract the aging process. Some require just one treatment to see immediate results; others require repeat visits for noticeable effects. 

While the Covid pandemic caused a drop in the number of procedures performed in 2019, since that time, numbers have rebounded and continue to increase.

The top 5 minimally-invasive procedures in 2020 were Botox, soft tissue filler, laser skin surfacing, chemical peels and intense pulsed light treatments. These procedures are FDA-approved and have been used successfully in the aesthetic field for a number of years. 

What has changed over the years is improved and safer techniques, technological advancements and innovative anti-aging skin care products.

Do they really work?

While results will vary from person to person, yes, they really do work.

Anti-aging treatments firm, lift and plump skin; soften the look of lines and wrinkles; smooth and retexture skin; lighten or eliminate hyperpigmented spots; and hydrate, repair and protect skin.

Compared to invasive procedures, nonsurgical alternatives are associated with high satisfaction rates, immediate and in some cases long-term results, little to no downtime, low rates of  adverse effects and minimal discomfort. 

Many studies support the efficacy and safety of nonsurgical treatments for anti-aging purposes when administered properly by a qualified professional.

Chemical peels have been used for centuries to treat sun damaged skin, and over the last 3 decades, science has developed a greater understanding to deliver improved results.

Studies demonstrate these peels can achieve significant improvement in fine lines, clarity, texture, tone, evenness and hyperpigmented dark spots.

Hyaluronic acid fillers have a strong reputation due to their efficacy and safety profile. They can  significantly reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and marionette lines while still maintaining a natural expression. 

When combined with Botox, these fillers’ effects and longevity can be enhanced by as much as 50%.

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive resurfacing procedure that is very popular, safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types and delivers consistent results. This device has been demonstrated to gently abrade and remove the outer layer of damaged skin to improve skin tone and texture, reduce the look of scars, discolored marks and dark pigmentation.

Target areas

The face, neck, forearms, and back of the hands incur sun damage due to chronic exposure to damaging UV rays. These are therefore the target areas for anti-aging treatments and skin rejuvenation; the eye area is also an area of concern as the skin is very thin and delicate, and prone to crow’s feet and dark undereye bags. 

Repeated exposure to UV rays causes dark marks to develop called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines; sun exposure also damages skin to cause sagging and premature wrinkles.

When you combine the damaging effects of sun exposure with the natural outcome of chronological aging, it’s clear why certain areas are more vulnerable.  

Best Nonsurgical Anti-Aging Treatments

When selecting the best anti-aging treatment consider your aesthetic goals, how quickly you wish to achieve these goals, your budget and your comfort level with downtime.  

You may opt for one cosmetic procedure or combine several to reach your goal faster or to achieve greater results. The best way to determine your course of action is to meet with a qualified professional who will examine your skin and devise a treatment plan with you. 

Chemical peels

Chemical peels can be chosen in light, medium and deep strengths to either penetrate the outermost layer of skin, the outer and middle layer or complete penetration of the middle layer, respectively. 

Chemical peels resurface the skin to reduce signs of aging by removing damaged skin cells and stimulating collagen and elastin to plump, smooth and strengthen skin.

The more in-depth the penetration, the longer the downtime, the more dramatic the results.

Type of Peel	Chemical Used	Concerns	Longevity
Light: Exfoliates the epidermis only	Citric, lactic, maleic and glycolic acids	Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, mild scars, roughness, dry skin and superficial pigmentation issues (black, red or brown spots)	1–2 months; 6 months with repeated visits
Medium: Penetrates deeper to top layer of dermis to target more extensive skin concerns	Trichloroacetic (TCA), glycolic acid or Jessner’s solution	Scars, sun damage, rough scaly patches, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentary disorders (melasma and dyschromia, discolored skin patches)	2–4 months; 6 months with repeated visits
Deep: Penetrates to deeper layers of the dermis	Phenol or TCA acids	Deep folds and creases, severe photoaging (advanced rhytides), pigmentary disorders, scars	Up to 10 years; deep peels are not repeatable

Injectables

Injectables such as Botox and fillers can smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume to the facial area for a rejuvenated appearance.

Neurotoxin injections

Neurotoxin injections such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are one of the most popular nonsurgical procedures in the U.S.

While there are subtle differences among the brands, they all work to smooth dynamic wrinkles or expression lines by preventing certain facial muscles from contracting. These injections are typically used on the forehead, around the eyes and mouth, and the neck.

Botulinum toxin effects take about 2 weeks to fully develop and last 3–4 months. Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain results.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers can temporarily add volume and contour the face to smooth nasolabial folds, marionette lines and the tear trough area; they are also effective around the mouth and on the cheeks and lips. The effects of dermal fillers can last up to 6 months.

Hyaluronic acid is by far the most chosen filler for a number of reasons: it is considered safe and easy to use; lasts longer than other fillers, is reversible and is naturally found within the body. This acid is a powerful humectant that can draw in and retain water; it’s also a collagen-booster to firm and smooth skin.

These qualities make it an excellent anti-aging tool as it can both fill in deep creases and small lip lines as well as firm up sagging skin. 

Light and laser treatments

A wide range of light and laser treatments are available to effectively target concerns on specific areas of your face, such as wrinkles around the eyes and mouth or age spots. Both therapies also address thin, lax skin by promoting collagen production.

These devices are chosen based on your esthetic goals, your skin type and comfort with downtime.

Ablative and nonablative lasers produce excellent anti-aging results by resurfacing the skin to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet and sun damaged spots. 

The former is more aggressive as it removes the top layers of skin; the latter takes a gentler approach by inducing a controlled injury below the skin to trigger a healing process which promotes collagen synthesis.

Fractional lasers include intense pulsed light devices and pulsed-dye lasers:

Light-emitting diode (LED) therapy uses different light wavelengths to promote skin cell regeneration and collagen production. This type of therapy reduces inflammation and speeds up tissue repair and healing. It can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars with an almost complete absence of side effects.

In one study of LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation, researchers found significant reductions in wrinkles, increased skin elasticity and a marked increase in collagen and elastic fibers.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a gentle therapy that uses powerful bursts of light to target and eliminate moles and broken or dilated capillaries, as well as discolorations such as age and sun spots. IPL can also minimize the look of scars and wrinkles. 

Your provider may use more than one laser to gain the benefits that both have to offer. 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a favored skin resurfacing treatment because it can effectively treat  uneven skin tone and texture, as well as skin damage from photoaging and scars. It achieves this by removing the damaged outer layer of skin which is then gradually replaced by fresh undamaged skin cells. 

This procedure also improves skin density, texture and elasticity for a rejuvenated effect as it promotes collagen synthesis. Patients who undergo microdermabrasion report improved skin brightness, texture and decreased visibility of pores.

Depending on your skin’s condition and your expectations, you may need repeat treatments to see your desired results. 

PDO thread lift

PDO threads are biodegradable sutures that have been in use for decades in surgery. Relatively new to the aesthetic field, these sutures can provide facial rejuvenation by lifting sagging skin for a temporary face lift.

In one study of this procedure, an assessment was made afterward to determine the level of improvement using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and patient satisfaction. The GAIS score indicated 79% of patients were very much improved and 76% of patients reported satisfaction levels as excellent.

Topicals

Medical-grade topical skin care products from your dermatologist have unique formulations and stronger concentrations than over-the-counter products; these can enhance anti-aging treatments in multiple ways.

Anti-aging creams that contain a combination of antioxidants in the form of vitamins C, B₃ and E work to boost collagen production, regulate cell metabolism and regeneration and improve skin elasticity and smoothness, redness and hyperpigmentation. 

These creams also play a key role in protecting skin by neutralizing free radicals and protecting against oxidative stress, a primary contributor to the aging process.

Daily application of a quality moisturizer is an essential step in an anti-aging routine, especially for those with dry skin; it will also minimize the look of wrinkles.

Ferulic acid serum can protect against photodamage, brighten your complexion, target fine lines and wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Ferulic acid has been demonstrated to provide twice the amount of photoprotection when combined with vitamins C and E.

Hyaluronic acid production diminishes with age, leading to dry, thin, loose skin and wrinkles. Topical application of this acid boosts and retains moisture, plumps skin, decreases wrinkle depth and enhances skin firmness and elasticity for an anti-aging effect.

Retinol has shown significant clinical improvement in studies: improvement in fine wrinkles, coarse wrinkles, tactile roughness, sallowness.

Lastly, regular use of sunscreen will protect your skin from premature aging. 

Best Facial Rejuvenation Treatments

The best facial rejuvenation treatment will be the one that is most likely to achieve the results you are looking for. Many times the best results will be had by combining treatments; dermal fillers and Botox are two treatments that pair well as they have different modes of action, which when combined, enhance the outcome.

Some anti-aging treatments target the skin; others the underlying muscles within the face. You should also consider your skin type, the condition of your skin, the cost of treatment, the possibility of downtime and the procedure you will feel most comfortable with. 

Takeaway

Anti-aging treatments have progressed over the years; cosmetic procedures have improved and are safer; technologies have advanced.

An anti-aging strategy can be implemented as a preventative as well as a treatment to protect skin from aging prematurely and to treat existing signs of aging. Sagging, lax dull skin; lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, sunken areas around the cheeks and eyes all contribute to an aged appearance. 

Minimally-invasive procedures supported by medical-grade skin care products can treat these unwanted effects. 

Neurotoxin injections can smooth lines and wrinkles; dermal fillers can contour and plump the face and lips; chemical peels, laser and microdermabrasion treatments can remove damaged skin cells and stimulate collagen production.

All these anti-aging treatments can successfully contribute to an anti-aging strategy by revitalizing and rejuvenating your skin to reveal a fresher, youthful appearance.