What Are The Best Non-Invasive Wrinkle Treatments
As we age, our body loses collagen and elastin, leading to the development of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. These wrinkles can make us appear older and more tired than we actually are. In the past, patients relied on invasive procedures like surgical facelifts, which involve long recovery times, incisions, anesthesia, and potential side effects. Today, non-invasive wrinkle treatments offer stunning facial rejuvenation results with little to no downtime, helping patients achieve long-lasting, wrinkle-free complexions. Dr. Michele Green is an expert in non-invasive wrinkle treatments, with over twenty-five years of experience providing non-surgical facial rejuvenation options.
Many non-invasive wrinkle treatments can help reverse signs of aging and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, including injectables, lasers, microneedling, and chemical peels. Botox injections are effective for treating dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements, while dermal fillers can restore lost volume to smooth the skin. Thermage stimulates collagen production to tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles and creases. Laser resurfacing treatments such as Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, and eMatrix work by stimulating new collagen production in the deeper skin layers to diminish wrinkles and improve skin texture. Microneedling and chemical peels are also effective in increasing skin cell turnover and promoting collagen growth. With so many non-invasive options available, it can be difficult to choose the best treatment for you. Dr. Green will help you decide the ideal combination of treatments to target unwanted wrinkles and fine lines, helping you achieve smooth, clear skin that lasts.
Dr. Michele Green is a world-renowned, board-certified dermatologist with over twenty-five years of experience treating patients worldwide using innovative non-invasive procedures, including Botox, dermal fillers, and Thermage. Dr. Green is consistently recognized as one of NYC’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times because of her expertise and commitment to her patients. She takes a holistic approach to cosmetic dermatology, tailoring each treatment plan to suit the patient’s skin type, tone, and concerns. When you see Dr. Green at her private Upper East Side dermatology office in New York City, she will evaluate your aesthetic goals and skin issues to create a personalized anti-wrinkle treatment plan designed to help you look and feel your best again.
What are non-invasive wrinkle treatments?
Non-invasive wrinkle treatments are cosmetic procedures that reduce the appearance of wrinkles without requiring surgery. These treatments are ideal because they offer patients gradual, natural-looking results without the need for plastic surgery, lengthy recovery time, anesthesia, incisions, or increased risk of side effects. Unlike cosmetic surgery, non-invasive wrinkle treatments allow patients to return to their daily routines either the same day or within a few days, making it easy to achieve full facial rejuvenation. They are also long-lasting, and patients can have regular maintenance sessions to preserve and enhance their results. While not as permanent as surgery, their semi-permanent nature enables patients to refine and adjust their treatments over time as their needs and preferences change.
Many of these non-invasive wrinkle treatments aim to stimulate collagen production in the body. Collagen is a plentiful protein that gives the skin its structure, elasticity, and firmness. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to the development of wrinkles along with other signs of aging, such as fine lines, skin laxity, and volume loss. Most non-invasive wrinkle treatments help counteract the natural aging process by encouraging new collagen growth, which smooths the skin, diminishes sagging, restores lost volume, and achieves a wrinkle-free appearance. Some treatments use neuromodulators to freeze facial muscles and prevent wrinkles, while others utilize hyaluronic acid to restore volume and smooth out fine lines and creases. An experienced, board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green in New York City, can guide you through the wide range of anti-aging options to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific cosmetic concerns.
What do dermatologists recommend for wrinkles?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Green offers a range of non-invasive wrinkle treatments for facial rejuvenation, including Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, microneedling, and chemical peels. Patients often employ a combination of treatments to address wrinkles in various facial and body areas, aiming for comprehensive rejuvenation. When you consult with Dr. Green in her private Upper East Side dermatology office, she will assess your medical and aesthetic history, facial anatomy, and skin concerns to develop a personalized plan that will leave you with a clear, wrinkle-free complexion.
Botox Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
Botox is an FDA-approved neuromodulator made of botulinum toxin that targets dynamic wrinkles and fine lines caused by repetitive facial movements. These wrinkles often appear on the forehead when raising the eyebrows, around the eyes (crow’s feet) from smiling or squinting, and between the eyebrows (frown lines or “11s”) from frowning. When injected into specific facial muscles, Botox temporarily paralyzes them, effectively “freezing” the muscles and preventing contractions. The procedure is quick, simple, and typically involves minimal downtime or side effects. Botox lasts for three to four months, after which another treatment session is necessary. Many patients return regularly to maintain the smoothness of their skin and prevent wrinkles from forming. Other neuromodulators that can be used for wrinkle treatment include Xeomin, Dysport, and Myobloc.
Dermal fillers for a Non-Surgical Facelift
Dermal fillers are injectable cosmetic treatments used to restore lost volume, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and creases, and enhance facial contour and symmetry. Dermal fillers can be injected into a variety of facial areas, including the cheeks, midface, nasolabial folds, lips, chin, jawline, and temples. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero are comprised of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that provides the skin with suppleness and plumpness. Hyaluronic acid fillers provide immediate volume to the injected area and can last from six to twelve months, depending on the type of filler used. Sculptra is a liquid filler comprised of poly-L-lactic acid, a substance that provides a support scaffolding for new collagen production to restore lost volume and smooth the skin. In addition to treating wrinkles on the face, Sculptra is also excellent for minimizing horizontal wrinkles on the neck. After a series of injections, results with Sculptra can last up to two years.
Fraxel Dual Laser Treatments to Reverse Sun Damage
Fraxel Dual is a non-invasive laser treatment for various signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines. It targets wrinkles, uneven texture, enlarged pores, acne scars, and stretch marks with a 1550 nm wavelength, while addressing sun damage, pigmentation, and sun spots with a 1927 nm wavelength. The Fraxel Dual laser delivers fractional laser energy in tiny columns that precisely reach the inner skin layers, leaving surrounding tissue unaffected. As the laser wavelengths penetrate the skin, they create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the body’s natural healing process, boosting the production of collagen and elastin and resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Fraxel Dual is non-ablative, meaning treatment does not remove the top layer of skin. When treating wrinkles and fine lines, patients typically experience about 48 hours of redness, similar to a mild sunburn, in the treated area. Multiple sessions are needed, spaced one month apart, to achieve optimal results.
Clear + Brilliant Laser Treatment
Clear + Brilliant, also called the “mini Fraxel”, is a fractionated laser used to target fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, sun damage, sun spots, acne scars, and enlarged pores. This laser is often called a “mini-Fraxel” because it provides similar results to the Fraxel laser with minimal downtime. Clear + Brilliant utilizes fractionated laser technology to create millions of tiny treatment zones, stimulating new collagen growth and speeding up skin cell turnover to smooth wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin. The Clear + Brilliant procedure has no downtime and is safe for patients of all skin types and tones. Patients typically require five to six sessions spaced one month apart for the best results.
eMatrix Anti-Aging Laser
eMatrix is a resurfacing laser used to address fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and acne scars. The eMatrix laser delivers bipolar radiofrequency energy into the inner layers of the skin — with each pulse, the eMatrix laser treatment stimulates the wound-healing response and produces new collagen. The eMatrix laser is associated with minimal downtime, and patients may experience mild redness and swelling for up to 48 hours. Unlike the Fraxel Dual laser, the eMatrix laser is safe and effective for patients of all skin types and tones, including patients with darker skin tones. Additionally, the eMatrix laser has a specialized tip to treat under-eye wrinkles and create a more youthful-looking appearance.
Microneedling to Treat Wrinkles and Sun Damage
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure used to stimulate collagen production in the epidermis and create a more youthful appearance. During the procedure, tiny, surgical-grade needles are moved over the skin, triggering the body’s natural wound-healing process and collagen production. Microneedling can treat fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture and tone, discoloration, acne scars, and enlarged pores. It involves minimal downtime, and patients typically need at least three treatments spaced one month apart for the best results.
The advantage of microneedling is that the microchannels created improve the absorption and effectiveness of topically applied products. Patients can boost their microneedling results by combining it with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP is obtained from a patient’s own blood and contains epidermal growth factors and proteins essential for tissue healing and regeneration, which enhance the rejuvenation benefits of microneedling and result in a brighter, wrinkle-free complexion.
Vivace RF Microneedling Laser Treatment
Vivace is a unique cosmetic treatment that combines microneedling and radiofrequency to rejuvenate the skin. The microneedling part stimulates collagen in the epidermis, while radiofrequency energy simultaneously boosts collagen production in the dermis to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture and tone. Patients experience minimal downtime and side effects after treatment, allowing them to integrate appointments into their busy schedules easily. Most patients need a series of initial Vivace treatments, each four weeks apart, to see the best results.
Chemical Peels to Reverse Sun Damage
A chemical peel is a non-invasive exfoliating treatment where a chemical solution is applied to the skin’s surface. Chemical peels effectively remove the top layer of skin, sloughing off dead cells and debris to clear pores, stimulate new collagen production, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and other skin issues. The different strengths and types of chemical peels determine how deeply the peel penetrates the skin and their cosmetic effects. TCA, or trichloroacetic acid, peels are commonly used for skin rejuvenation. TCA peels can be applied in various strengths based on your skin concerns. However, TCA peels are not recommended for individuals with darker skin tones, as they pose a higher risk of hypopigmentation, post-peel discoloration, and hyperpigmentation.
Thermage Laser for Non-Invasive Skin Tightening
Thermage FLX is the gold standard for non-invasive skin tightening treatments. It delivers radiofrequency energy to the dermis to stimulate new collagen production and remodel existing collagen fibers, helping to tighten and firm the skin. After a single session, patients usually notice skin tightening results within four to six months, which can last up to two years. The latest Thermage device, Thermage FLX, uses patented AccuREP technology to increase patient comfort, speed up treatment time, and improve results. Patients can use Thermage to address wrinkles and skin laxity on the face, neck, décolletage, arms, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, and knees. No downtime is required, and the treatment is safe and effective for patients of all skin types and tones.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to Reverse Sun Damage
IPL therapy, also known as photo rejuvenation or flashlamp therapy, is a specialized cosmetic treatment option for revitalizing the skin. IPL is not a laser treatment because it does not use a single wavelength of light; instead, it employs multiple wavelengths to scatter flashes of light to the targeted area. Since IPL has more than one wavelength, it can treat visible damage caused by excessive sun exposure, also known as photoaging. Common signs of photoaging include the development of fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, skin laxity, uneven skin tone and texture, and broken blood vessels. Typically, an initial series of IPL treatments is needed to achieve optimal cosmetic results. Afterward, patients usually undergo regular maintenance sessions to sustain their improvements.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that rejuvenates skin tone and texture, and helps with sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, and other skin issues. It gently removes the outer layer of skin, eliminating impurities and dead cells to reveal healthy, smooth skin. After multiple microdermabrasion sessions, the skin appears brighter, tighter, and more youthful.
What are the best anti-aging skincare products?
Numerous skincare products are beneficial for anti-aging and anti-wrinkle treatment. The active ingredients you want to include in your product formulas will vary slightly depending on your skin type, tone, and specific concerns. Dr. Green’s proprietary skincare line, MGSKINLABS, contains various skincare products to target anti-aging concerns. During your consultation, Dr. Green will create a customized skincare regimen to rejuvenate the skin and enhance wrinkle treatment results.
Sunscreen is one of the most essential anti-aging skincare products. Excessive sun and UV exposure can damage collagen and elastin fibers, leading to premature aging, also known as photoaging. Patients should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should be worn every day and reapplied every 90 minutes or after water activities. It is also crucial to wear sunscreen and practice proper sun protection after any laser treatment, as lasers can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. The Hydrating SPF 50 from MGSKINLABS is an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains zinc oxide to protect the skin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate it.
Vitamin C is an excellent skincare ingredient that helps improve wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and brown spots, as well as enhance skin texture and tone. Topical vitamin C can rejuvenate photo-damaged skin and protect the skin from free radicals and environmental pollutants. Additionally, vitamin C serum is effective in treating facial redness and decreasing the appearance of blood vessels on the face. The Vita-C serum from MGSKINLABS contains a high potency of vitamin C to protect the skin from photoaging and reduce existing signs of aging.
Retinol and retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that accelerate skin cell turnover, sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal healthy new cells on the skin’s surface. These vitamin A derivatives also stimulate collagen production to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinols can be purchased over the counter, while retinoids, including tretinoin and Retin-A, can only be obtained with a prescription from a board-certified dermatologist. MGSKINLABS’ Essential Antioxidant Infusion contains vitamin A in addition to essential vitamins and nutrients to diminish wrinkles, improve skin texture, and improve skin elasticity.
Patients should also use a daily moisturizer that is suited to their specific skin type. Moisturizers are excellent for nourishing the skin and providing a temporary plumping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The Absolute Recovery Anti-Wrinkle Cream from MGSKINLABS contains essential fatty acids to prevent moisture loss and rose extracts and ginkgo biloba to tighten and firm the skin.
What is the best anti-wrinkle treatment, injectables or skin resurfacing lasers?
Many patients often want to know what the best non-invasive treatment is for wrinkles; however, no single treatment is definitively better than another for reducing wrinkles. Botox is among the most popular injectable treatments worldwide because it prevents facial muscles from forming wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. Dermal fillers are excellent for restoring lost volume and smoothing wrinkles, folds, and creases on the face. Conversely, skin resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, eMatrix, and Thermage deliver laser or radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers to stimulate collagen production. Lasers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, age spots, mild skin laxity, and uneven skin texture and tone, depending on the specific laser used. Often, the most effective non-invasive wrinkle treatments involve combining different options to address various signs of aging and fully rejuvenate the skin. When you consult Dr. Green at her private dermatology practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, she will evaluate your skin and review your concerns to create a personalized anti-wrinkle treatment plan that yields a natural-looking, long-lasting, and more youthful appearance.
FAQs about non-invasive wrinkle treatment
What is the newest procedure for wrinkles?
Thermage FLX is one of the newest versions of Thermage devices designed to improve skin laxity and reduce wrinkles. Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production and remodel existing collagen fibers, resulting in tighter, firmer skin. The new Thermage FLX features AccuREP algorithmic technology for more precise energy delivery and better skin heating. Its wider tip also allows for faster treatments, increasing patient comfort. After just one Thermage FLX session, patients can expect skin tightening effects that last up to two years. Since visible results take four to six months, patients usually undergo annual treatments to maintain their improvements.
Which wrinkle treatment lasts the longest?
Some of the most enduring wrinkle treatments for facial rejuvenation include Thermage, Sculptra, and laser resurfacing options such as Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, and eMatrix. Thermage skin-tightening effects can last up to two years after just one treatment session. Sculptra injections help restore volume and smooth the skin, with results lasting as long as two years following an initial series of treatments. Laser resurfacing can diminish signs of aging, including wrinkles, with long-lasting results after multiple sessions. Many individuals choose to undergo regular maintenance treatments to preserve and improve their results. The benefit of the semi-permanent nature of non-invasive treatments is that patients can modify their plans as their aesthetic goals change. During your consultation with Dr. Green, she will assist you in creating an effective schedule for your non-invasive treatments to help you achieve smooth, clear, and wrinkle-free skin.
What is the best non-invasive facelift?
The most suitable non-invasive facelift depends on specific skin concerns, such as skin laxity, facial hollows, and wrinkles. Patients with skin laxity may benefit from Thermage, while those with age-related volume loss might see better results with dermal fillers. Wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements can be treated with Botox injections to relax the muscles. Often, patients worry about various signs of aging, and combining procedures is usually the most effective way to address these issues and achieve a natural, youthful appearance. When you consult with Dr. Michele Green in NYC about a non-invasive facelift, you’ll learn which particular non-invasive treatment or combination of treatments best fits your needs for reducing visible aging signs and attaining long-lasting, natural results.
What is the best natural treatment for 40/50/60/70-year-old skin?
As we enter our 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, collagen and elastin production diminish more rapidly, leading to noticeable signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging skin. By utilizing a combination of dermal fillers, Botox, lasers, chemical peels, and microneedling, Dr. Green will develop a customized treatment plan that incorporates the most effective treatments to address your skin concerns with long-lasting results. However, patients with more severe wrinkles and sagging skin may benefit from a traditional facelift with a plastic surgeon. When you consult with Dr. Michele Green in her private dermatology office in NYC, she can determine if non-invasive wrinkle treatments or a surgical facelift is right for you. If you are a suitable candidate for a surgical facelift, she will refer you to a trusted plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure.
What is the best home remedy for deep wrinkles on the face?
The best home remedy for deep wrinkles involves a skincare routine with active ingredients designed to treat wrinkles. At home, patients can incorporate a retinol or retinoid into their skincare regimen to accelerate skin cell turnover, minimize wrinkles and fine lines, and improve skin texture and tone. Using a vitamin C serum can also boost skin cell renewal and shield the skin from free radical damage and oxidative stress. Lastly, the most crucial step a patient can take to lessen facial wrinkles is to practice proper sun protection, since sun exposure damages existing collagen fibers and leads to premature wrinkles and other signs of aging. Patients should wear a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 to defend against both UVA and UVB rays.
However, skincare products and sun protection alone are often insufficient to eliminate deeper wrinkles on the face. A mix of dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, and Thermage treatment usually works best to reduce the look of deep wrinkles and make the skin smoother. When you consult with Dr. Green, she will create a wrinkle treatment plan tailored to your specific wrinkles and facial features to help you achieve facial rejuvenation.
How much does non-invasive wrinkle treatment cost?
The cost of wrinkle removal treatment can vary based on several factors, including the office location, the severity of the wrinkles, the type and number of non-invasive procedures used, and the experience of the provider performing the treatment. Botox can be priced per unit or per area, while dermal fillers are priced per syringe or vial. Laser treatments are usually priced per session and per area treated. While having wrinkle treatment at a MedSpa may be more affordable, a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green in NYC has the expertise and knowledge to perform your wrinkle treatment safely and effectively. During your consultation with Dr. Michele Green in New York City, she will recommend the best combination of non-surgical procedures to address your wrinkles and help you reach your ideal cosmetic goals. The cost of these treatments will be discussed during that appointment.
Which is better for skin tightening, Thermage or Ultherapy?
Thermage and Ultherapy are both non-surgical treatments that provide skin-tightening benefits. The main difference between them is the type of energy they use. Thermage uses radiofrequency energy, while Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to boost collagen production. However, Ultherapy can sometimes lead to unwanted fat loss in the treatment area if the ultrasound penetrates too deeply. On the other hand, Thermage is not linked to unintended fat loss, making it the preferred non-invasive option for skin tightening at Dr. Green’s NYC office. Additionally, Ultherapy is not FDA-approved for parts of the body other than the face. In contrast, Thermage can be used on areas like the neck, chest, abdomen, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, and knees.
Does anything actually help under-eye wrinkles?
Yes! The eMatrix laser is an excellent treatment option for reducing the appearance of under-eye wrinkles. The eMatrix laser delivers radiofrequency to the inner layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve fine lines and wrinkles. The eMatrix laser is equipped with a specialized tip designed to treat the delicate undereye area. Unlike other lasers, the eMatrix laser is safe and effective for patients of all skin types and tones, including those with darker skin tones. Typically, three to five treatment sessions scheduled one month apart are optimal to see the best results.
Another option for treating wrinkles around the eyes is Botox. These lines, known as crows’ feet, are dynamic wrinkles that can develop from repetitive squinting or smiling. Botox is injected into the facial muscles near the eyes to relax them and prevent contractions, which helps stop these lines from forming. It takes approximately two weeks for Botox to take full effect, and the results typically last three to four months. Patients often undergo regular treatments to maintain their results and prevent further eye wrinkles.
How to get rid of wrinkles non-surgically today
Wrinkles on the face are a normal sign of aging, but for many people, their appearance can cause feelings of self-consciousness and frustration. Fortunately, there are many non-invasive treatments available to rejuvenate the skin and create a more youthful look, avoiding the need for invasive surgery and recovery time. Treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing, microneedling, and chemical peels can produce long-lasting, wrinkle-free results similar to those of cosmetic surgery, without the extensive downtime or side effects typically associated with it. Dr. Green often recommends combining non-invasive wrinkle treatments to address different skin concerns and achieve a comprehensive facial rejuvenation. When you choose non-invasive wrinkle treatments with Dr. Green in NYC, you can enjoy a smooth, youthful, and gorgeous complexion that lasts.
With over twenty-five years of experience, Dr. Green’s dedication to her patients and her expertise are demonstrated by her consistent recognition as one of New York’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and The New York Times. She is known for providing her patients with the most innovative, non-invasive cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation, customizing each treatment plan to their individual needs and goals. When you consult with Dr. Green at her boutique dermatology practice in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, you will have the opportunity to discuss your specific skin concerns and aesthetic aims in detail. Together, you will explore the non-invasive treatment options that best match your desires, needs, and budget. To learn more about non-invasive wrinkle treatments and how to achieve a natural-looking, more youthful appearance that endures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Green today by contacting us online or calling the NYC office at 212-535-3088.