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Methods to reverse your wrinkles
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 Informative Article Summary by Anny Redperz
Do you plan to age gracefully or fight the process tooth and nail? Aging is a natural part of life, but we don't always want to let it show. Thankfully, there are many treatments out there that get us closer to the fountain of youth, at least as far as our looks go. Take years off of your appearance with one of the wrinkle removal treatments.
The most popular method of age intervention on our list is a skin injection. Botox is a medication injected in to skin through a non-surgical procedure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported 4.6 million Botox injections as of 2007, making it the most common cosmetic procedure. It works by immobilizing the muscles that cause contractions in your brow line, which create wrinkles over time. However, those considering the injection must be careful. A misdosage of Botox can spread to unwanted areas and cause speech disorders, difficulty swallowing and breathing problems. Also, several deaths have been linked to the use of fake Botox. Similar to the Botox injection, Restylane, number 5 on our list, is a gel filler injected in to skin to soften the appearance of aging and enhance your features.
Instead of visiting a physician for an anti-aging treatment, you could just head to the day spa. Popular cosmetic surgeries, like microdermabrasion, will minimize the appearance of wrinkles by rejuvenating skin and rebuilding healthy collagen cells.
Your day-to-day beauty and skin care regime can greatly minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Choose skin care products with anti-aging properties, like anti-aging vitamins. At night, you can repair the day's skin damage with firming lotions and anti-wrinkle creams.
Top 10 popular methods to reverse your wrinkles
1. Botox
Nobody should have to "grow old gracefully," that is a nice way of saying you look old. You do not have to be this way. Not when you have some options that you can be fabulous looking younger longer.
One of the most popular ways to keep your youthful appearance is to have Botox injections. Botox injections cosmetic procedures are the fastest growing available. Some consider Botox to be the ultimate source of youth, thanks to its wide availability, few side effects, affordable cost and great results.
What is Botox?
Botox Injections, more formally known as botulinum toxin injection, is in fact an injection of the same toxin that causes food poisoning. Botox injections, however, are sterile and purified. Injection of the toxin in certain muscles can temporarily paralyze the muscles, impeding their ability to recruit and make fine lines and wrinkles, especially in the facial area. This can occur without causing damage to muscle tissue.
Are there side effects of Botox injections?
The effects of Botox injections do not last forever, and to continue to have the desired results, usually requiring multiple injections every 4-6 months. Side effects are usually mild and may include headache, nausea, pain at the injection site and muscle weakness. In rare cases, or cases in which improper techniques, no managers, or incorrect dosage was used, dropping of the eyelids can be seen.
What is the best site for the injection of Botox?
The most common sites are the injections of Botox in the sadness of the front lines, but many doctors offering Botox to treat other facial and neck wrinkles. Patients can expect to see instant results of injections. Botox is a very effective way to treat those pesky forehead lines sad that can make a person look angry or irritated.
Botox injections more effective than moisturizers?
Use of Botox injections as opposed to a cream or an anti-aging complex to combat aging and provides more complete results more visible. Many moisturizing creams and have very subtle effects and must be applied very diligently over a long period of time to see results. Botox is a treatment alternative that allows people to get rid of his face lines and wrinkles faster and for a longer period of time.
Advantages of using Botox
Many people are looking for anti-aging cosmetic procedures that are affordable, not terribly painful, and very effective will opt for Botox injections. If you are looking to buy Botox injections is that the average Botox injection costs between $ 350-500 per site, which is just a drop in the bucket when you compare the cost of a surgery or other cosmetic surgical procedure .
Some offer Botox creams or other alternatives, but, according to the Academy of Anti Aging Medicine, these are not to be as effective as injections of Botox real. In order to obtain the desired results, we recommend that you have as Botox injections that are intended.
2. Microdermabrasion
Micro Dermabrasion has grown increasingly popular lately. It is a procedure being offered day spas, and medical spas. The dead outermost surface of the skin is partially or completely by light abrasion. The result would be younger, healthier, glowing skin.
Why is the micro dermabrasion preferred by many?
First, this process is more affordable than cosmetic surgery and it is painless. More often than not, it does not need any does not need anesthetic. There is no recovery period needed. You can go back to your usual routine right after the process. There are different microdermabrasion methods available such as Crystal microdermabrasion, Diamond microdermabrasion and Home microdermabrasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How To Do Microdermabrasion On Yourself?
A: Since you cannot use a professional microdermal abrasion machine on your own without professional training, the only way to perform this procedure on your own is to use an at-home commercial kit. These kits contain cloths, sponges, rotating applicators, crystal creams, pre- and post-care formulas. All you have to do is follow the instructions that come with the product.
Q: Can Microdermabration Be Used On Black Skin?
A: Office micodermabrasion machine is appropriate for all skin colors (including black skin ) because this procedure sandblasts only the outermost skin layer which is made of dead skin cells. There's no damage to live tissue which could cause scarring or severe irritation. The exfoliation process involved in clinic micro dermabration helps the skin renew itself quicker and more effectively.
Q: How Good Is Micro Dermal Abrasion For Rosacea?
A: Rosacea is one of the main contraindications of microdermabrasion, because the exfoliation process worsens rosacea symptoms (redness, itchiness, flaking). Home micro dermal abrasion creams are not recommended either (even though they are milder).
Q: Can Microdermal Abrasion Be Used On Hyperpigmentation?
A: Microdermabration system works on hyperpigmentation. The micro-crystal flow abrades the top layer of the skin where unevenly pigmented skin cells are stuck. Several clinic microderm abrasions are required to even out skin tone and get rid of hyperpigmentation.
Q: How Much Do Micro Derma Abrasion Cost?
A: Compared to other non-invasive procedures, professional microbrasion is the least expensive skin rejuvenation procedure. For example, micro derma brasion kits cost between $ 15 and $ 200, depending on contents and brand. Kits that include a rotating hand-held device designed to massage the crystal cream onto your face are the most expensive (and the most effective). The price of a single microbrasion treatment at a beauty salon or spa varies between $ 75 and $ 200. One full face session at a surgeon or dermatologist office costs somewhere between $ 100 and $ 300, not including initial consultation fees (which may cost an additional $ 150). You may need an average of 9 treatments and 4 maintenance sessions for best results which makes a full microabrasion treatment cost around $ 1,600 per year.
Q: Is Micro Derma Brasion Recommended On Blotchy Skin?
A: This procedure exfoliates the top layer of skin which consists of dead skin cells. Microdermabration system stimulates collagen production, essential to healthy skin and also removes blotchy skin texture and tone.
Q: Does Nutragena Microabrasion Work?
A: The Over The Counter microdermabasion sets from Neutrogena is effective for some people and isn't for others. There are many satisfied consumers who say that Nutragena set does make their skin look younger and feel smother. On the other hand, there are some unhappy costumers who say the kit is either too harsh, causing them irritations or break outs, or not very effective in diminishing fine scars and wrinkles. The only way to find out if the set works for you is to try to get a free sample and test the formula on your skin.
Q: Are Microderm And Photofacial Equally Effective?
A: Photo Facial (or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy) is a non-invasive procedure capable of diminishing or removing age spots (liver spots), fine wrinkles (rhytids), facial flushing, redness, broken capillaries, freckles, minor sun damage, tattoos, varicose veins, spider veins, flat birth marks and hypo-pigmentation. Unfortunately, IPL is not recommended for dark skinned people and persons suffering from oily skin. In short, IPL and micro dermal abrasion have similar results and are both non-invasive, but microdemabrasion has fewer contraindications.
Q: What Age Is Suitable To Start Micro Dermal Abrasion?
A: There is no official contraindication regarding age for micro dermabration patients, but it would be best to wait until you are 14 before you have it. If you have it earlier, the hormonal changes and the fact that your skin hasn't yet fully formed all of its recovering systems may affect the final outcome of the treatment.
Q: Does Micro Derma Abrasion Work On Acne Marks?
A: By removing the top layer of the skin, OTC micro derma abrasion diminishes or even removes superficial acne marks. Deeper acne marks require a more invasive procedure, like a deep chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing.
3. Juvederm
Juvéderm is an injectable gel that gently reverses many signs of aging in the face, including fine lines and wrinkles, crow's feet, thinning lips and loosening skin. It can also "plump up" the lips, sculpt the cheeks, and restore a youthful oval shape to the face. It is made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body that works with collagen and elastin to give volume and support to the skin. Because it is non-animal-based and highly biocompatible, no pre-treatment testing is needed. There are a number of doctors in the Encino area that offers Juvederm injections.
4. Thermage
Thermage is a new non-invasive cosmetic procedure that is used to help tighten and contour skin in a single treatment. Unlike many other cosmetic procedures such as fillers or Botox, Thermage doesn’t involve surgery or injections and the manufacturer maintains that it requires little to no downtime.
While it sounds like the ideal treatment to rejuvenate aging skin, critics maintain that it comes with some negatives. These include Thermage’s price tag (treatments range from between two to five thousand dollars), the fact that some individuals see little benefit and that the recovery process can vary amongst patients. Today let’s take a closer look at this procedure.
How Does Thermage Work?
Thermage uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to safely heat the deep layers of your skin, while cooling the surface of your skin to keep it intact during the procedure.
This type of heating stimulates your body’s natural skin renewal process, which can help to tighten existing collagen and form new collagen. According to Thermage’s website, the benefits include a replacement of sagging or wrinkled skin with smoother, tighter skin. As well, skin tone and and texture are improved leading to a younger looking appearance. One of the advantages is that only one treatment is required.
What Does Thermage Do?
Thermage is indicated for treatment on the face, including the eye area as well as the body. The manufacturer maintains that it can be used to benefit the following conditions:
- Sagging skin on the face, under the chin or body (as may occur after pregnancy or weight loss)
- Loose jowls or lack of definition in jaw line
Wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, eyes or forehead
- Lack of definition in lips
- Tired looking eyes or excess skin on the eyelids
- Love handles and cellulite
Should You Choose Thermage?
Results with Thermage vary amongst individuals. on a website asking about individual experiences with the Thermage procedure, some individuals are very happy with the results while others maintain that the procedure is very painful and requires far more down time than advertised. As well, criticism is that the price far exceeds the potential benefit and that results only last a few months.
Because this is a fairly new procedure, you may want to wait to learn more about its long term safety before proceeding. However, if your pocketbook allows and you do opt for Thermage, ensure that you work with an experienced and qualified practitioner. Results with many cosmetics procedures are often only as good as the practitioner. Lastly, while Thermage is certainly something to consider, it can’t deliver the benefits of a face lift.
5. Restylane
Restylane® is a popular solution towards gaining a more youthful appearance. This facial filler is a non-animal, biodegradable gel composed of hyaluronic acid (a substance found in the body that provides more volume to the skin). Through tiny injections, Restylane® is FDA-approved for smoothing facial folds and wrinkles in areas around the mouth and eyes
While the world of Cosmetic Surgery is expanding in popularity at a fairly constant pace, minimally invassive procedures including such facial fillers like Restylane have been gaining more attention at a much faster rate. Personal cosmetic enhancements have become a $ 13 billion a year industry in North America, alone!
Traditional plastic surgery procedures can still have certain connotations attached to them; that they’re sought after by the financially well off and somewhat older cross-section of society. However, the inverse of that idea is that physical appearance can drastically influence success or failure in people’s personal and proffessional lives at just about any age.
Especially for people in highly competitive industries, where youthful exuberance and energy are equated with professional success, facial fillers like Restylane are giving people an alternative to plastic surgery that’s convenient, relatively inexpensive and in many cases, safer than the traditional invasive procedures.
This begs the question “Is plastic surgery always about vanity?” If medical insurance can (at least partially) cover costs for having procedures such as Restlyane injections for certain types of jobs like T.V. news anchors and fashion models, the short answer the aforementioned question would be “no”.
This doesn’t mean, however, that the same kind of research and understanding by potential patients shouldn’t be exercised as it would for traditional cosmetic surgery. Not all medical professionals are cosmetic surgery experts and just because someone holds a degree in medicine, this is no guarantee that they posses any kind of specialty skills in cosmetic surgery and ill-informed patients end up paying the price.
6. IPL Photofacial
Light Pulse Skin Renewal Treatment
Is there anybody in the world who prefers to show them very old in front of others? No. Because everyone likes to show them young and this is the reason why IPL Photofacial treatment has become more popular. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, which is a technique used to correct the aging spots, diffuse redness found on the skin, sun spots and etc. and offers a fresh look and also keeps the person young. Light from the flash-lamp is used to treat the aging spots found on the skin and its risk rate is found to be low compared to other treatments. Since the side-effects caused by this treatment are found to be very minimal, most of the people prefer this treatment to keep them young for a while.
Those who wish to correct their aging spots and sun spots need to take-up this treatment for at least 3 to 4 times a month. This IPL photofacial treatment is both safe and effective for all types of skin and the recovery period is also very minimal. IPL photofacial treatment is performed commonly on areas such as arms, neck, hands and face. Before taking-up this treatment, it is wise to approach an expert available with the best skin care center and follow their guidelines to achieve the best outcome.
Light pulse skin renewal treatment is a new concept developed by Advanced Laser Clinics. This unique therapy works effectively without laser resurfacing or painful chemical peels. The therapy is popularly tagged as an ‘age-defying’ technique. The light pulse skin renewal therapy combines of three proven ways in its treatment mode. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Microdermabrasion, and specially formulated skin care processes are combined to develop the system.
The light pulse skin renewal therapy has got three distinct and effective therapies:
A- IPL or Intense Pulsed Light: IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is a technology that emits a non-coherent, broad spectrum light. This light is attracted to cells with abnormal amounts of color, which is absorbed by melanin or hemoglobin. In this therapy the heat from the light injures the abnormally pigmented cells, resulting in a more evenly toned complexion. Light pulse skin renewal therapy is one of the most effective solutions for age or sunspots, freckles, mottled pigmentation or melasma, flushing or ruddy complexions, broken capillaries, and facial veins.
Also it makes the skin texture not just smooth but also diminishes the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines.
B- Microdermabrasion: After Intense Pulsed Light, the next therapy done is Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a treatment performed by a closed vacuum system delivering aluminum oxide crystals to the skin. This whole process exfoliates the thickened epidermis and vacuums away the crystals. This form of light pulse skin renewal therapy also aids in improving the skin’s texture and enlarged pores. Simultaneously it diminishes the appearance of abnormal pigmentation by allowing your skin to absorb and utilize the skin care regimen.
C- Skin care regime: Last but not the least is skin care regime. In this step, Advanced Laser Clinics’ offers a skin care regimen that is completely compatible with the IPL and Microdermabrasion therapies. Advanced Laser Clinics’ skin technicians understand that not all skin care products are formulated for use before and after combination therapies. Thus, Advanced Laser Clinics’ skin care uses the relevant and tested high quality ingredients suited to aid in cellular rejuvenation.
After undergoing the light pulse skin renewal therapy, it takes approximately two to four maintenance treatments to achieve the desired results. The nature and amount of subsequent maintenance treatments depend on the patient’s skin texture.
7. Chemical Peels
Using Chemical Peels
Some age spotting might be more serious than others and require a treatment like a chemical peel. Chemical peels are safe and effective treatments for age spots and other pigmentation problems. Chemical peels remove the layer of skin with the pigmented sun damage. The dead skin simply peels away and healthier spot-free skin is then able to emerge.
Learn more about Age Spots
Age spots or liver spots are brown blemishes usually associated with the aging process and extreme exposure to sunlight. Age spots are sometimes referred to as brown spots, stains, or sun spots, and despite the liver spot nickname, have no association with the liver. Age spots are flat, unlike moles, and range in color from light brown to black. You can generally find these spots on the areas of your skin most exposed to the sun, such as on your arms, face, shoulders, and forehead. Age spots on the hands are extremely common.
Age spots are caused by a lifetime of sun damage. Pass the age of 40, your skin simply becomes less able to cope with and regenerate from sun damage. Some correlation between stress levels has also been found. Instead of healing naturally, age spots develop excessive pigmentation in the skin. Age spots are not cancerous and there’s no health risk connected to them, but they can be embarrassing and unsightly. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments for age spot removal.
Why should you have to pay for a lifetime of sunny skies?
Don’t think this is an issue just for the elderly either. Unless you’ve been living under a rock your entire life, you’re eventually going to have to deal with age spots, and knowing about their removal now can save you a lot hassles later on.
There are some nutritionists who believe that sun spots are signs of a selenium deficiency and suggest taking supplements to remove age spots. Other more severe methods associated with age spot removal are freezing, skin sanding, and electrical needles. However, none of these treatments are advised as they tend to leave white spots and scarring. Most experts agree that the best and safest way to treat age spots are non-surgical aesthetic procedures like IPL Photofacial, Microdermabrasion, and Chemical Peels.
8. Fraxel Laser
What is Fraxel?
Fraxel is a new method of laser resurfacing which employs fractional laser technology. This technology was developed by Drs. Deiter
Manstein and Rox Anderson at Harvard University. There are a number of devices on the market today which utilize this breakthrough technique, of which Fraxel is among the most popular. The effects are varied and mostly depend upon what type of wound the laser creates. Some are very mild and give rise to minimal downtime and only mild improvement while some are more aggressive and have more downtime, but also give produce better results.
The main benefits of these treatments include:
- Improve the texture and tone of the skin
- Diminish unwanted brown spots
- Smooth wrinkles around the eyes and face
- Rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands
- Significantly improve acne scars
This is all done in a series of treatments with minimal downtime and risks.
How Fraxel Works
The concept of the laser is to create a series of vertical wounds in the skin separated by non-treated, uninjured skin. The best way to understand how fractional resurfacing works is to imagine what happens to a lawn it’s aerated. A similar process, on a microscopic scale, is done to the skin with fractional laser treatment. The laser creates small injuries the diameter of a hair shaft into the skin leaving normal, untreated skin in between. This untreated area heals the wound by removing the treated skin and replacing it with new healthy tissue. During each treatment only a fraction of the skin is treated. Both the Fraxel Repair and Fraxel Restore treatments may then be repeated three to five times at 3 to 5 week intervals, until the whole skin has been resurfaced.
Advantages
The advantage of treating the skin this way is that there is less downtime and risk of adverse events while obtaining a significant clinical improvement. This process is specifically designed to give rise to smoother, clearer skin with minimal risks and down time. The other advantage of this approach is that, unlike the ablative resurfacing procedures, it is safe enough to treat areas off the face such as the neck, chest and hands.
History
In trying to correct sun damage, scars, and aging skin there is no such thing as a free lunch. Aggressive treatments usually produce the best results, removing the surface of the skin. These techniques, which include deep chemical peels, dermabrasion and ablative carbon dioxide and erbium lasers are often painful, have a prolonged down time and can have up to a 20% risk of scarring. Attempts to improve risk and downtime resulted in non-ablative lasers (which leave skin intact), intense pulsed lights, pulsed dye lasers, and infrared lasers with aggressive cooling. These improve age spotting and blood vessels with only limited improvement in lines and wrinkles. Hence the further development of laser, culminated in fractionated laser technology.
Fraxel Treatment
Prior to your Fraxel treatment your physician will let you know specifically what you need to do prior to treatment. Generally fraxel before and after photos will be taken of treatment so you may gauge improvement after your series of treatments are completed. An anesthetic cream will applied to the skin in the treatment area and left on between 45 minutes to an hour. Eye coverings are applied to protect the eyes from the laser light, and depending on the treatment. Fraxel treatment takes about 15 – 25 minutes. During the treatment cold air will be blown on the treatment area to help reduce the discomfort. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst, most patients rate the pain at a 4. Following treatment most patients feel a slight heat sensation, similar to a sunburn, for up to 90 minutes.
You should be given written instructions on how to take care of your skin by your doctor, but usually using cool compresses intermittently, sleeping with your head slightly elevated for the next day helps reduce the swelling. You may apply make up and sunscreen after 1 – 4 days. Most people are ready to go back to work in 2 – 7 days.
Fraxel Results
Generally patients will start to notice the effects after the second or third treatment. The improvement of the skin continues for 3 – 6 months after the treatment series has been completed. The most notable effects are the following:
Milder Fraxel Treatment:
* 20 – 40 % improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
* Improvement in overall texture and firmness
* Decrease in age spotting and discoloration
* 20 – 40 % improvement in acne scars
More Aggressive Fraxel Treatment:
* 30 – 70 % improvement in fine lines and wrinkles
* Improvement in overall texture and firmness
* Decrease in age spotting and discoloration
* 30 – 70 % improvement in acne scars
Fraxel Side Effects
The reported risks of long-term side effects or scarring are less than 1%. The scarring that may occur would be a discoloration of the skin or texture change, a bump or depression. In rare cases the development of an infection or flair of a cold sore that could lead to prolonged healing time and scarring is possible. Occasionally, a small blister or open area can develop which can be treated with the application of an antibiotic ointment. Patients prone to the development of cold sores should be pre-treated with antiviral medication.
Am I a candidate?
If you have sun damage, discoloration, fine to severe lines and wrinkles and or acne scarring this may be a good treatment for you.
9. Laser Resurfacing
Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing
There are three popular types of laser skin rejuvenation: Erbium, Carbon dioxide (CO2) and N-Lite. They work in a different way and have different results, downtime, risks and costs.
Difference Between Different Laser Rejuvenation Treatments
| Type of laser / Characteristics
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Erbium Laser
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CO2 Laser
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N-Lite Laser
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| How it works
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- Vaporizes superficial skin cells and stimulates collagen production
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- Vaporizes superficial skin cells and stimulates collagen production
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- Stimulates collagen and elastin production
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| How to prepare for laser
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- Treatment with Retin A, glycolic acid and hydroquinone to prevent discoloration, speed up recovery and maximize results (6 weeks before laser)
- Skin is cleansed and antibiotics are applied before the procedure.
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- Treatment with Retin A, glycolic acid and hydroquinone to prevent discoloration, speed up recovery and maximize results (6 weeks before laser)
- Skin is cleansed and antibiotics are applied before the procedure.
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- Skin is cleansed and antibiotics are applied before the procedure.
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| How long does it last
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15-90 minutes
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15-90 minutes
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15-90 minutes
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| Does it hurt
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Yes, moderate pain
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Yes, increased pain
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No
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| Anesthesia needed?
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Yes, topical
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Yes, general or sedation
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No
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| Hospital stay needed?
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No
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No
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No
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| Downtime period
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4-7 days
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10-14 days
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None
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| Recovery period
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- 1-4 days with pain medication, bandages
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- 1-4 days with pain medication, bandages
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None
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| Sun protection needed?
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Yes, for the next 3-6 months
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Yes, for the next 3-6 months
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Yes, for the next 3 months
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| Complete healing in
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1-4 weeks
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1-4 months
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Immediately
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| Final results seen
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After 1-4 weeks
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After 1-4 months
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After 3 months
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| Effectiveness
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- Medium
- Removes fine lines, improves dynamic wrinkles and reduces acne scars
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- High
- Removes fine lines, improves dynamic wrinkles and acne scars, smoothes your skin, evens out skin tone
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- Medium/Low
- Minimizes fine wrinkles and scars, improves skin texture
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| Next session allowed in
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After 6 months
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After 6 months
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After 6 months
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| Cost
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$ 3,000-4,000
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$ 4,000-5,000
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$ 1,000-2,000
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10. Anti-Wrinkle Cream
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