Best Anti Aging Treatments
Aging is an inevitable process that affects everyone. However, thanks to advances in skincare and anti-aging procedures, you can slow down the aging process and look younger for longer.
With so many products available, it can be hard to know which live up to the hype and which are better left on the shelf. We've created a comparison of the best anti-aging treatments so you can make an informed decision.
Our Top Picks for Best Anti-Aging Treatments
Best Anti-Aging Treatments Reviews
Botox
Why we chose it: Studies suggest that Botox is one of the most effective treatments for facial lines and wrinkles. It temporarily paralyzes muscles in your face, which reduces the appearance of some wrinkles.
Botox is good for dynamic wrinkles, which are the wrinkles you get as a result of muscle movement, such as smiling, laughing, or squinting. For static wrinkles caused by a loss of elasticity or collagen in your skin, it's not as effective.
Botox can be used for treating the forehead crease between your eyes, crow's feet, and moderate-to-severe frown lines. It can also help prevent new wrinkles from forming. The procedure only takes about 10 minutes and doesn't require anesthesia, although your provider may use a topical anesthetic or ice.
During the procedure, your provider will use a small needle to inject areas around the wrinkles you're treating. The exact number of injections will depend on the size of the treatment area. You'll be able to resume normal activities immediately after treatment, although you may be advised to remain in an upright position for six hours and avoid heavy exercise or touching the area for 24 hours.
The effects of Botox will usually last three to four months, and you'll need to repeat treatments if you want to maintain the results. Overall, Botox is generally considered safe and effective. There is a risk of side effects, including:
- Some bruising and discomfort
- Headache
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Temporary facial drooping or weakness
- A "frozen expression" if used preventatively
- In rare cases, breathing problems, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech
Some people should not get Botox, including those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an allergy to the protein in cow's milk, or have a neurological disorder. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor before you get Botox treatments.
Retinoids
Why we chose it: Studies have shown that retinoids can lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation, improve the texture of your skin, and decrease fine lines.
Retinoids can increase your skin's collagen and blood vessel production, which improves color. They also fade dark spots and soften rough patches of skin.
It can take three to six months to see results from retinoids; the best results may take 12 months. You'll need to plan to use them long-term because the benefits will fade if you quit using them. You'll also need to use sunscreen religiously, as retinoids can increase your skin's sun sensitivity.
For the best results on dark spots and hyperpigmentation, professionals have suggested you combine retinoids with vitamin C. One of the most popular retinoids is tretinoin, which is only available by prescription. Other retinoids are available over the counter. They're milder and less effective than tretinoin, but they're less likely to irritate your skin.
You may want to start with an over-the-counter product and then ask your doctor for a prescription if you don't see the results you want. It could also help to start using a retinoid every other night, or every third night and work your way up to nightly.
When you apply, use a pea-sized amount to your face 20 minutes after you wash and dry your skin and before you apply a moisturizer. If you experience irritation, reduce the strength or frequency of your applications. Over-the-counter products are less likely to cause irritation than prescription products.
Glycolic Acid Peel
Why we chose it: Glycolic acid has a small molecular structure that allows it to deeply penetrate your skin, making it ideal for exfoliation. It can make your skin look brighter and younger by reducing hyperpigmentation, improving skin tone, and improving texture.
You can have a glycolic acid peel performed by a clinician, or you can use a milder, at-home product. Dermatologists usually use a 30% to 40% concentration of glycolic acid and only leave it on your face for two to three minutes. Even professional-strength glycolic peels are fairly gentle and don't require much downtime. They're frequently called "lunchtime peels," because you can return to your normal activities immediately.
Glycolic acid peels can irritate your skin, so you need to be careful about combining products. Depending on its strength, the complete turnaround time for a glycolic acid peel is around five to seven days. Professionals suggest that you shouldn't use any other acids or irritating ingredients on your skin during that time.
You may notice some skin tightening or redness when you first do a glycolic acid peel. On day two or three, your skin may shed and peel. With a high-strength treatment, your skin will shed more and take longer to heal. Make sure you avoid sun exposure and use a good sunscreen during the recovery time since glycolic acid can increase your skin's sun sensitivity.
After your peel, moisturize your skin thoroughly, preferably with a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid.
Laser Skin Tightening
Why we chose it: Laser skin tightening is a noninvasive procedure that heats your skin to stimulate collagen and elastin growth. Unlike some treatments that can cause hyperpigmentation on dark skin, laser skin tightening is safe for all skin tones and types.
There are various types of laser skin tightening therapies. Some are superficial and painless, while others penetrate deeper and require an anesthetic. You can get laser skin tightening anywhere you have loose skin.
The procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes and should only be performed by a qualified dermatologist or other trained clinician. There are several different types of laser skin tightening, including:
- Ultrasound skin tightening
- Radiofrequency skin tightening
- Intense pulsed light and radiofrequency combination
Although they are slightly different therapies, the procedure for each is similar. The laser beam will be hot but shouldn't be painful. You may experience some discomfort with the stronger treatments. You will have to repeat the treatments several times to see results at an expense ranging from $600 to $1000 per session.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Why we chose it: Hyaluronic acid plumps up your skin to decrease the look of wrinkles by attracting and binding to water molecules.
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in your body, especially in your skin, connective tissues, and eyes. As you age, your body's stores are depleted. You can take hyaluronic acid supplements or apply them topically. Both forms have been shown to improve the appearance of your skin. It's also a common filler ingredient for treating deep lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid can moisturize your skin and improve its appearance, but you want a formula that contains various sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules. Bigger molecules can't penetrate your skin but can provide a protective barrier and more visible results. Hyaluronic acid with smaller molecules can penetrate the outer layers of your skin to increase its moisture content. The Ordinary makes an affordable, high-quality hyaluronic serum that contains large, medium, and small molecules for optimum performance.
For best results, apply it twice daily, after you cleanse your skin but before you apply a retinoid or vitamin C serum. Wait 30 minutes after you apply your retinoid before you apply the hyaluronic acid.
Other Anti-Aging Treatments We Considered
We evaluated many other anti-aging treatments. Although they offer benefits, none are as effective as our top choices. You may still want to incorporate some of the following into your skincare routine.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent that can be effective for melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation and age spots. It usually takes between four weeks and several months to see an effect. However, hydroquinone can cause skin problems with prolonged use and may not work on everyone. We didn't choose it because there are more effective options that don't have those side effects.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant that may have anti-aging effects when used topically. It may fight free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage your cells) and slow aging at the cellular level. It may help lighten dark spots by interfering with your body's ability to produce melanin. Studies are still being done on ferulic acid, but it may also make other skincare ingredients more effective.
Anti-Aging Treatments Guide
When you start exploring anti-aging treatments, you might feel like you need a chemistry degree to make sense of it all. The industry is filled with buzzwords and pseudoscience, making it difficult to know what really works and what's just hype. You shouldn't have to interpret medical journal articles to understand how to take care of your skin. This guide will walk you through the basics.
What Is An Anti-Aging Treatment?
An anti-aging treatment is a product, procedure, or technique designed to slow the aging process. Many factors cause your body and skin to age, and anti-aging treatments claim to address one or more.
Some common anti-aging treatments include:
Skincare Products
Moisturizers, peels, sunscreens, and serums are all skincare products intended to prevent or reverse the signs of aging.
Nonsurgical Professional Treatments
Botox, laser skin tightening, and fillers are all examples of nonsurgical anti-aging treatments that have to be performed by professionals. These can reverse the signs of aging by improving your skin's texture and reducing the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and loose skin.
Supplements
There are many vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements that claim to slow or reverse the signs of aging. Some include vitamin A, zinc, curcumin, and more.
Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and getting enough sleep, are beneficial for your overall health. Others, such as cold showers, aren't proven but may provide some effects.
How Does An Anti-Aging Treatment Work?
Different anti-aging treatments work in different ways. Although skincare is primarily what people think of when discussing anti-aging treatments, the aging process affects your entire body, not just your skin.
Many topical anti-aging products work on your skin to increase the rate of your skin's cellular turnover. This process improves the look of your skin, promotes collagen production, and decreases the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Other anti-aging treatments target different signs of aging. Exercise is one of the most powerful weapons you can use to fight aging. Not only does exercise help you live a longer and healthier life, but aerobic and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises may slow aging on a cellular level by increasing the length of your telomeres. Telomeres are structures found at the end of your chromosomes that protect them from damage.
Nonsurgical professional treatments work in several ways. Laser skin tightening uses a laser to penetrate beneath the skin and tighten the collagen, making the skin firmer. Botox partially paralyzes the muscles underneath your skin, reducing the look of wrinkles. Fillers inject a substance into your wrinkles to fill them out.
The processes involved in aging are complex, and there is no single treatment to address them all.
Tips For Maintaining A Youthful Appearance
No matter how old you are, there are steps you can take to look younger now. The following tips won't work magic, but they can help you make the most of your appearance and slow future signs of aging.
Clean Your Skin Regularly And Gently
As you age, your skin becomes thinner and holds less moisture. It may be more prone to dryness and irritation. It's important to protect your skin by cleaning it gently. Use a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser to avoid over-drying. Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean your skin, as hot water can dry it out and cause irritation. Avoid harsh scrubbers designed to exfoliate your skin since they can cause tears and aggravation.
Use SPF Every Day
Using high-SPF sunscreen every day can help slow the signs of aging. One study followed 900 people over four years and found that people who used a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day showed 24% less skin aging than people who only used it intermittently.
Don't lose hope if you've been careless with applying sunscreen in the past. The study showed that even people who didn't get serious about sunscreen until their 40s or 50s reduced the signs of aging on their skin.
Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun causes DNA damage to your skin that leads to premature aging and skin cancer. To protect your skin, use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it every day you're outside, even if you don't plan to be outside for long. If you are outside for an extended time, reapply it according to the directions. You can purchase anti-aging sunscreen that includes other beneficial ingredients, such as vitamin C, and incorporate applying sunscreen into your daily skincare routine.
Stay Moisturized And Hydrated
Moisturizers temporarily plump up your skin, improving its appearance. They can also help protect your skin and keep it from cracking and drying out. Keeping your skin moisturized isn't just about appearance. Your skin is your body's largest organ. It helps your body regulate your temperature and prevents harmful microbes from entering. When your skin is broken and irritated, you're more likely to get an infection.
Regardless of your skin type — oily, normal or dry — you should use a moisturizer regularly. There are three main types of moisturizers: emollients, humectants and occlusives. Emollients are oil-based. They are typically lotions and ointments that protect and soothe. Humectants are water-based. They extract water from the air and seal it into your skin. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant moisturizer. Occlusives are physical barriers that lock in moisture. These are typically thick and help treat conditions such as eczema or very dry skin.
In addition to moisturizing your skin, you should take other steps to keep your skin hydrated:
- Use a humidifier if you live in a dry climate or during the winter
- Avoid soaps and use gentle, moisturizing cleansers instead
- Don't use skincare products that contain alcohol
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is as close to the fountain of youth as anything science has to offer, and it fights aging in several key ways. Staying active improves your brain health, reducing your chances of developing dementia and other types of age-related cognitive decline.
It's natural to experience muscle and bone-density loss as you age. Resistance exercise can help you prevent and even reverse muscle and bone loss. If you build bone density, you're less likely to suffer from a fracture — a risk that increases after age 50.
Some types of exercise can increase the length of your telomeres and prevent DNA damage that causes aging. Finally, exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent the accumulation of abdominal fat typically associated with "middle-aged spread."
Quit Smoking
Tobacco smoke is toxic and can accelerate the aging process in multiple ways. It damages your skin and deepens wrinkles. It also stains your teeth, causes bags under your eyes, and leads to loose skin around your jawline. There are many programs and medications that can help you stop smoking. Talk to your doctor if you need resources to stop.
Anti-Aging Treatments FAQ
How We Chose The Best Anti-Aging Treatments
Our methodology for choosing the best anti-aging treatments included the following factors:
- The effectiveness of the treatment
- Its safety record
- The invasiveness of the treatment
- Affordability
- The frequency of treatments
Summary Of Digg's Best Anti-Aging Treatments
This content is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.
