9 Types of Facial Procedures to Help You Look Younger

Aging affects the skin in many ways, such as reducing the elasticity of skin and developing age spots, wrinkles and other conditions that make the skin look less youthful.¹ While we can't literally turn back the clock, some cosmetic procedures can give your skin a more youthful appearance. Some of these procedures are noninvasive or minimally invasive, while some require surgery. Read on to learn about nine facial procedures and treatments to give your skin a younger look.

1. Botox®

Botox is one of the most popular and well-known facial cosmetic procedures for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This FDA-approved treatment is derived from a naturally occurring bacteria, commonly found in soil.²

When injected into the face, Botox blocks messages between the brain and the muscles, causing them to stay relaxed.² Many wrinkles are caused by muscle activity, thus Botox can give the face a smoother appearance, and even prevent the deepening of future wrinkles by reducing muscle movements.

These effects will last approximately three months before it's necessary to receive another treatment.² The average cost of a Botox treatment is $408, but it can range from $100 to $2,800 per treatment, depending on a variety of factors.³

2. Chemical Peels

People who want to refresh the overall look and quality of their skin in a noninvasive way should consider a chemical peel. This procedure uses natural acids to strip away damaged skin cells, improve the appearance of wrinkles and reduce the signs of discolorations and scars.⁴

A chemical peel may contain one or more different acids that vary in how deeply they penetrate the skin. A board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist will determine how sensitive your skin is and apply either a light, medium or deep chemical peel.⁵

Before these procedures, your practitioner will ask you to limit sun exposure and protect your skin by choosing a good sunscreen. You may even be prescribed special creams containing ingredients like hydroquinone or glycolic or salicylic acid to prime your skin before treatment.⁴

After a chemical peel, you may experience some stinging and redness. Depending on the depth of the peel, skin typically recovers within one to two weeks.⁵ However, with a deeper peel, it may take several months for your skin to return to a normal state.⁴

The average cost of a chemical peel is $644, but they can range in price from $200 to $6,000, depending on many factors.⁶

3. Dermal Fillers

One of the most common conditions of aging skin is sagging, as collagen breaks down over time.⁷ Sagging can also contribute to an increase in wrinkles. Some people choose to combat this effect with dermal fillers, which help add volume, plump skin and smooth out wrinkles. Dermal fillers can also increase facial symmetry.⁷

Dermal fillers are typically comprised of one of a few naturally occurring substances, outlined below.⁷

4. Dermaplaning

For people with noticeable acne scars, there is a procedure known as dermaplaning, in which a razor-like device skims off surface skin layers to smooth out scarring.⁹ This procedure is typically done in a clinic setting.

Regarding comfort during dermaplaning, about 30 minutes before your provider starts the procedure, you may be offered a numbing spray or cream; general anesthesia is usually not necessary.⁹

Dermaplaning won't treat age-related issues, but it can reduce the appearance of small scars. A week after your procedure, any redness or swelling should calm down, and after six to eight weeks, the area you had treated should return to your normal color.⁹

The average cost of dermaplaning is $125, but it may range from $75 to $250 per treatment.¹⁰

5. Microneedling

Though it may sound invasive, microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure in which a skincare professional punctures the top layer of your skin with miniscule needles to stimulate more collagen and elastin production in your skin. Collagen and elastin are the substances that help firm and smooth skin.¹¹

Microneedling is helpful for people looking to address such issues as enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, loose or crepe-like skin, mild scars, skin discoloration or stretch marks.¹¹

Patients are typically given a topical anesthetic before the procedure, and skin may be sore or irritated for up to five days after. It may take between three and six months to truly see the results of the procedure.¹¹

The average cost of microneedling is $190, but it may range from $75 to $450 per treatment.¹²

6. PRP Therapy (Vampire Facial)

A relatively new form of therapy that is being used to treat everything from muscle injury to facial rejuvenation is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This procedure, also known as the “vampire facial," involves extracting blood from your body, spinning it in a centrifuge to isolate plasma-rich platelets and then reinjecting that back into the skin.¹³

Though the research on this therapy is still slim, it may help plump sagging skin, reduce wrinkles and acne scarring and improve the overall appearance of your skin. For those patients who do see results, it typically takes three or more treatments.¹³

The average cost of PRP therapy is $981 per treatment.⁸

7. Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a procedure that directs ultrasound waves to the deeper layers of your skin to produce new collagen.¹⁴

Collagen is one of the substances that makes skin look smooth and plump. This procedure is most often applied to the eyes, cheeks, mouth, jaw and neck — areas that have the most tendency to wrinkle and sag.¹⁴

Typically, patients get one to two procedures and can expect to see results within three to six months.¹⁴ The average cost of ultherapy is $2,575, but the cost can range from $500 to $4,000.¹⁵

8. Laser Treatments

There are various kinds of laser treatments that use focused and concentrated pulsating light beams at skin to stimulate collagen growth and remove skin layers. These treatments can be used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, remove discoloration and treat scars and tattoos.¹⁶

However, because lasers come in a number of different types and strengths — some more invasive than others — it's important to talk with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to find the correct one for your skin issues and type.¹⁶

The average costs of laser resurfacing treatments are $2,509 for ablative laser treatments and $1,445 for non-ablative laser treatments.¹⁷

9. Facelifts

A facelift, officially known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure to improve the negative effects of aging on the skin and restore a more youthful appearance.¹⁸ Facelifts can correct a number of issues, including:¹⁸

• Relaxed skin that leads to sagging in the face
• Deepening fold lines between the nose and mouth
• Fat redistribution
• Jowls in the cheeks and jaw
• Loose skin and excess fat in the neck and chin

Because facelifts involve surgery, they also require more recovery time than the minimally invasive or noninvasive procedures. While most people can return to public within a couple of weeks, it may take closer to two to three months to feel normal.¹⁹ The average cost of a facelift is $8,005.¹⁹

Some people may get only one of these procedures or multiple procedures together to achieve their desired results. Each individual should consult with their dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best treatments for your needs.

Financing Facial Procedures With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting a facial procedure or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, PayPal, The Washington Post and more.