GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts
Photo 5/14
Chemical Peels for Glowy Skin
Cost: $250-4,000 per treatment, depending on the depth of the peel

Who should do it: Anyone who wants glowier, brighter skin. "Chemical peels are an incredible option for patients looking to see improvement in the skins texture and tone, fine lines and over all appearance," says Dr. Stafford Broumand, NYC-based Plastic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital. They can also help control acne, reduce dark spots and create a natural, youthful glow.

Why you should do it: Facial peels can solve a variety of skin woes, depending on which type you choose. NYC-based Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank says to look for peels that use glycolic, salicylic or trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

"Superficial depth peels can be suitable for all skin types," says Dr. Stafford Broumand, NYC-based Plastic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "Glycolic or salicylic acid are common active ingredients." These peels will give patients glowing skin, improve its texture and promote collagen growth, he says. Frank adds that these "lunchtime facials" will send you right back to work or play, and are great for pregnant women dealing with acne. He recommends them at three to six week intervals, which will help unclog pores, control breakouts and, if they're done sequentially, even improve fine lines and the overall texture of your skin.

If your skin is sun-damaged, Frank recommends a peel with TCA (this can be used on your body or your face). "This powerful exfoliant, used at lower concentrations, causes just a few days of subtle redness and peeling," he says. "One to two treatments can really change the quality and coloring of your skin."

For dark spots and fine lines, he says to opt for a medium-depth peel, which combines several exfoliants (including TCA, salicylic acid and acetic acid) that can make a huge difference in your skin in just one treatment. "This peel gives the appearance of a sunburn in which redness and peeling of one week reveals an entire new set of healthy younger skin," he says. (Not to be gross, but kind of like a snake shedding its skin.)

One such peel is the Vi Peel. Santa Monica-based R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH of Batra Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology, says, "this treatment is a better alternative to lasers in patients with olive-toned or more deeply pigmented skin since it does not pose as much of a risk of hyperpigmentation ... Patients can expect a smoothing effect with increased tightness and decreased appearance of fine lines. Acne scars that are discolored and hyperpigmentation will fade with each peel." For darker discoloration or severe texture issues, she recommends a series of peels, done in one month intervals.

"With chemical peels, I can remove sun-damaged skin and stimulate its healthy re-growth in a controlled fashion," Frank adds. "The resulting exfoliation removes dead cell layers, promotes underlying collagen regeneration to reduce fine lines and evens out the texture and pigment of one's skin."

Know before you go: You must be diligent about your sun care and moisturizing routine after a peel. "It's very important to hydrate the skin with a moisturizer and use an SPF of at least 30," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Founder & Director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the George Washington Medical Center. "Chemical peels help the skin glow with health, but also render it slightly more sun sensitive, so be sure to use a good SPF." If you aren't moisturized, it could lead to cracks and possible scarring, says Frank. Broumand also adds that you should avoid anything abrasive, like scrubs, exfoliators or retinols until your skin is healed. Frank cautions that body peels and medium depth peels are usually only suitable for lighter skin.

Photo 6/14
Cellfina: The Treatment That Gets Rid of Cellulite
Cost: $2,000 and up
Lasts: At least two years (more, according to doctors who have done the surgery)
Who should do it: "The best candidate for Cellfina has what I call 'dimpled cellulite,' rather than long ridges, wavy and uneven skin or sagging," says Michael S. Kaminer, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale Medical School and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Brown and Dartmouth Medical Schools. These dimples respond best to the treatment and, as luck would have it, are an extremely prevalent type of cellulite, especially on the thighs and butt.

Why you should do it: Not-so-fun fact: More than 80 percent of women over the age of 20 will develop cellulite at some point (regardless of weight), says Kaminer. Exercise and diet can help with cellulite, but only to a certain point -- and even procedures like lipsuction have no impact on cellulite whatsoever. Enter: The magical Cellfina System. "It's the only FDA-cleared minimally invasive procedure clinically proven to produce long term improvement in the appearance of cellulite," explains Kaminer, who reports that his patients are ecstatic with the results. "Patient satisfaction with Cellfina far surpasses that of any new treatment I have seen come to market in the past decade."

Some numbers to back that up: After three months, 85 percent of patients in the FDA-approved study were satisfied; after one year, that stat increased to 94 percent; after two years, patient satisfaction was up to 96 percent, which Kaminer calls a "staggering" number. In a single treatment, the appearance of cellulite is greatly reduced. And the procedure itself is minimally invasive. The surgeon marks the areas to be treated, then they numb the area. "Finally, we use a specialized hand piece to precisely access tissue where we can release the cellulite-causing bands," Kaminer explains.

"It seems that as patients heal from the initial procedure, their skin seems to get smoother and smoother," he explains. "Recovery is just a couple of days, but the remodeling of skin takes some time to see the final result. The beauty of this is that once the skin is remodeled, it seems to look better and better over time, and this likely leads to the longevity of the results we are seeing."

Know before you go: You'll want to lay low for a couple of days post-procedure (you can still go to work, but wait four to seven days to resume exercising). You may experience some initial soreness and tenderness, but it doesn't last for long. Before the procedure, Kaminer says to avoid anything that may cause bruising, like vitamin E and fish oil supplements, or medications like Advil and Motrin. Oh, and wear loose-fitting clothes to the appointment. After your treatment, they'll squeeze you into a compression garment before you leave. Kaminer tells his patients to buy a couple pairs of Spanx, as well, and wear them all day, every day for a week. Yeah, that sounds kind of annoying, but it helps speed up the healing process and helps you see even smoother results.

Photo 7/14
Get Rid of Spider Veins With Sclerotherapy
Cost $350 per 30 minute laser session; $400-$900 per injection.
Lasts: While spider veins will disappear, eventually touch ups are needed.
Who should do it: Anyone looking to get rid of spider veins and smaller varicose veins.

Why you should do it: Rebecca Kazin, MD, of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology, says that you can see significant results with just one session of injections into the veins, called sclerotherapy. If spider veins are more prominent, she says some patients will opt for three treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart. Treatment is only mildly uncomfortable, and feels like little pin pricks.

Know before you go: Veins will actually look worse before they look better, says Kazin. The veins can turn red from the treatment and look a little hive-like. "The veins can look darker before they get lighter because the veins collapse over the blood," she explains as another side effect. Downside: It takes four to six weeks to look normal again. Upside: You can resume regular activity the next day.

Photo 8/14
Anti-Frizz Treatments for Silky, Shiny Hair
Cost: $300 and up
Lasts: 2 to 4 months
Who should do it: "If you are looking to make hair more low maintenance, to cut down on your blow-dry time and also want your style to last longer in humidity, then you are a good candidate for a treatment," says Butterfly Studio Salon master stylist Nicole Descoteaux.

Why you should do it: Skip the stick-straight hair you'd get from a Brazilian Blowout and instead opt for a gentler option that leaves your hair frizz-free, but with bounce and body. "As women, we like to care for ourselves and our appearance, but we also want it to be practical and easy," says Descoteaux. "These treatments relieve the frustration from time-consuming styling that will not last in humid climates." It's also a great way to try out a new haircut you may normally shy away from. "Many people, because of their texture, cannot entertain a new on-trend shorter look. So by altering the texture first, it opens new opportunities for them," she explains.

One such treatment is the DeFrizz Quick Treatment, available at Julien Farel Salon in New York. "I created this anti-frizz treatment because so many of my clients wanted a healthier alternative to straightening," says Rudy Pena. It's a 90 minute in-salon treatment that Julien Farel describes as "superfood for your hair, because it features natural oils like grape seed, sweet almond and jojoba."

Descoteaux says formaldehyde-free options are the way to go, because they are healthy options that make your hair healthier. She likes Cezanne Perfect Finish Smoothing Treatment. It's keratin-based and also includes glycolic acid and sericin, so it smooths from the inside out -- as opposed to typical formaldehyde formulas, which just coat the hair to give it a smoothing effect.

Know before you go: Upkeep can get spendy, and it's important to do your research before you go. Look for salons that offer non-formaldehyde formulas, and make sure you get an experienced technician.

Photo 9/14
Laser Hair Removal
Cost: Typically, a small area like the upper lip will cost approximately $100-$200 per treatment, while larger areas like legs can range from $350-$900 per treatment.
Lasts: Long-term, nearly permanent. "Patients may have a new area of re-growth that occurs years after their hair removal sessions have ended," explains Julius Few, MD, director of the Few Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Clinical Professor at the University of Chicago. "However, the average patient can expect 80 percent plus permanent hair loss."
Who should do it: "The ideal patient is fair-skinned with coarse, dark hair," says Kazin. People with white, light blonde or red hair on their bodies are not good candidates because the laser can't detect the pigment.

Why you should do it: Hate shaving and waxing? This one is for you (as long as you fit the above requirements). You can get the treatment done essentially anywhere you have hair -- legs, face, bikini area and underarms to name a few -- and the time ranges from a few minutes for a small area to 15 minutes for a larger area. There's slight pain -- think of the pain from being waxed or having your brows plucked, says Kazim -- but typically a topical numbing cream or a cooling mechanism is used to decrease discomfort. Know before you go: Because of your body's hair cycle, you can only reduce the amount of hair by around 20 percent each treatment, says Kazin. It can take 5-6 sessions to get rid of hair completely. The area will be pink and sore for about a day, and if you have a darker complexion you have to be incredibly careful about sun exposure, as it can turn the area brown, explains Kazin.

In order to have a low-maintenance daily beauty routine, sometimes you have to spend a bit of time being that girl. You know, the one who spends seven hours in the salon or spends two hours with her eyelash extension expert. Because treatments like these (we're talking everything from varicose vein treatments to laser hair removal to eyelash tinting to permanent makeup) can be truly life-changing — they can save you money and precious getting ready time in the long run. Here, 13 beauty treatments that are worth the cost.

Image via puhhha/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty
BY ALLIE FLINN | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.