Smoother, plumper, tighter and brighter skin will always be the end goal, and there are more than a in-office skin boosters to get there. From injectables that last longer to technologies we’ve never seen before, here’s how to navigate through the latest facial aesthetic solutions.
Wrinkle Relaxing
Treatment: Daxxify
What it is: A longer-lasting neurotoxin injection
What it does: “It works by a similar mechanism as compared to Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, or Jeuveau to interrupt the signal transmission between targeted muscles and the given nerve, relaxing the muscles that lead to wrinkles,” says Chicago plastic surgeon Julius Few, MD.
How often: Every six to nine months
What sets it apart: Based on clinical trial data, results last an average of six months or more. “Patients in the Daxxify group saw longer results compared to the placebo,” explains Dr. Few. “This means fewer injections over time or a given effect.”
Smoothing + Tightening
Treatment: Sofwave
What it is: “Like Ultherapy, Sofwave uses ultrasound to create zones of thermal injury at specific layers in the skin,” says Houston dermatologist Jennifer Segal, MD.
What it does: Dr. Segal says she loves it for aesthetic areas that are notoriously tough to treat like the eyes and brow, cheeks and jawline.
How often: One treatment is needed, and results will continue to improve for up to three months.
What sets it apart: “It ‘penetrates’ in a manner that is parallel to the skin, selectively targeting the more superficial layers of the skin,” says Dr. Segal.
Facial Contouring
Treatment: EmFace
What it is: A combination of muscle stimulation and radio frequency to strengthen facial muscles and tone skin
What it does: Phoenix dermatologist Karan Lal, MD says it targets the frontalis muscle in the forehead, the zygomaticus major and minor that control the lips and mouth, and the risorius muscles for the cheeks.
How often: Four 20-minute sessions, spaced one week apart
What sets it apart: ”It addresses both lax skin and volume loss,” explains Dr. Lal. “It activates the smile and cheek muscles, which, when toned, can elevate the face.”
Skin Firming
Treatment: ellacor
What it is: Using Micro-Coring Technology to reduce up to 8- percent of skin in Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV, ellacor removes sagging skin in the mid-to-lower face. Those with darker skin tones and a history of hyperpigmentation or scarring should be cautious.
How it works: “It uses hollow needles to remove micro-cores of excess skin,” explains Delray Beach, FL dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby.
How often: Three treatments, spaced 30 days apart
What sets it apart: “It’s very promising for patients who aren’t ready for surgery yet and want some real tightening in the lower face,” says Dr. Allenby.
Glow Getting
Treatment: Vivace Ultra
What it is: A radio-frequency microneedling skin treatment that improves tone, texture and quality.
What it does: “It combines ultrasound imaging with Vivace’s exclusive uniform radio-frequency microneedling delivery system in one treatment,” says New York dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD.
How often: Three 30–40 minute sessions, four to six weeks apart
What sets it apart: It allows physicians to better customize settings during the treatment to get the best results. “The re-engineered needles and the ability to have many performance combinations including needle depth, change in radiofrequency levels, types of needles, delay speeds, and power levels give the ability to treat the face and body more precisely,” Dr. Hayag says.