3 Professional Beauty Treatments Offering Great Long-Term Results Quickly
When it comes to improving our appearance we have an almost endless buffet of options. Provided our desire to “look better” does not become obsessive, there is nothing wrong with trying to improve our appearance. After all, when we look good, we feel even better. As for results, they vary greatly. A particular cream, for example, may work very well, but can take months to really work its magic. If you want more dramatic results in less time, it is usually necessary to turn to the pros. As someone who is very enthusiastic about beauty regimens, I have tried a lot of stuff. The following three are the ones with which I have had the greatest successes, and would recommend them to anyone who asked me.
Laser Resurfacing
Having had acne since I was 10, I was always super-self conscious about my skin. It was not terrible by any means, but it wasn’t great either. As I got older, the pimples finally got under control… right around the time the effects of aging, the sun and other assaults, began to take its toll. Skin care products helped but the results were hardly anything to write home about. I had come across information about laser resurfacing, and it certainly piqued my interest. It seemed like a great treatment for my main problems, which was large pores, uneven skin tone and mild sun damage.
I had been traveling at the time, and found a great clinic near my apartment in Malaysia. Lucky for me, these treatments cost much less than what I would have paid in the States, but after seeing the results, I would have gladly paid for it in the US as well.
In a nutshell, there are two types of lasers—ablative and non-ablative. The former goes deeper into the skin while the latter only targets the upper layers. The best type for you will depend on the reasons for treatment, but generally, ablative lasers are for more significant skin damage, deeper acne scars, and more severe wrinkles. Not everyone is a good candidate for lasers—not because the procedure is dangerous, but because their particular skin tone or problem may not respond as well to the treatment.
The treatment was surprisingly painless—a bit of a pinching sensation is the best way I can describe it—and it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how big the treatment area is. There may be a bit of redness and soreness after—the ablative lasers tend to have more side effects because they are stronger, and you may need to apply ointments or cover the treated skin. These treatments work by vaporizing the damaged skin, letting new, healthy skin emerge.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal was one of the best things I have ever done as far as my ‘beauty’ regimen is concerned. I ended up getting it kind of randomly—won a drawing for a 250 dollar treatment at a place that did facial treatments, laser hair removal and some other stuff. Instead of getting the facials like I planned, I ended up getting a hair removal package. I just couldn’t resist.
As the treatments progressed, I noticed my hair was growing back more slowly. Permanent hair removal works by targeting the root of the hair, and eventually ‘damaging’ the follicle completely so no hair grows at all. There are a few different types of lasers, and one of the primary factors for deciding which one is right for you is how light or dark your skin tone is.
It is pretty pain-free—a bit of a stinging sensation as they pulse the laser over your skin. The area may be a bit red for a day or two, but other than that, you really don’t experience any effects. If your hair is still growing after the prescribed number of treatments, the treatment centers typically offer some additional treatments free of charge.
Choose your treatment center carefully. You want to make sure they are using the best equipment, and the technicians are trained to operate said equipment properly. Treatment centers that specialize in permanent hair removal, like American Laser, would be a good bet. This particular center has offices all over the US, and you can check this location finder to see if there is one near you.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are another one of my favorites. I first started doing them at home, but you will get the best results with a professional because they can use a stronger solution than you could at home, at least safely. I implore you…don’t try these professional strength treatments on your own. You can do serious damage to your skin.
There are different types of peels. Superficial peels, also called’ lunchtime peels’ only target the uppermost layers of the skin, and are good if you are just interested in brightening up your face, and making your skin look smoother. There may be some redness and a bit of peeling for a couple of days, but no major recovery. Glycolic acid is the most common solution used.
Medium peels go a bit deeper, and actually cause a second-degree burn on your skin. TCA is the most commonly used solution, and there may be significant redness, peeling and tenderness. You may want to give yourself about a week to recover, as you may not want people seeing you. You will find this easily available online, but don’t do it. I have read horror stories of home peels with this strong solution!
Deep peels are designed for very significant wrinkling, or other types of skin damage. You will need significant recovery time, and you must take very good care of your skin to prevent infection. Typically, you can only do this type of peel once in your whole life.
So, there you have it. Three of my favorite pro treatments that have left me with great results! Which is your favorite?
Becky Wilcox is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about beauty, fashion, technology and more. She writes for Life with Lisa as well as several other blogs and websites. Check back soon for more from Becky.
