3. Microdermabrasion
(iStockphoto)
Microdermabrasion uses tiny, fine particles or a very hard diamond-tipped wand to slough off cells from the top layer of the skin and encourage new skin growth. The procedure is usually not painful, though it can be uncomfortable, and it doesn't require an anesthetic or recovery period; skin heals quickly. But you may require multiple procedures spaced a few weeks apart. It also might be a good idea to discuss which technique your doctor plans to use, as a study published in October in Archives of Dermatology found that a rougher buffing of the skin is better than a lighter touch. The average cost of microdermabrasion was $164 in 2008, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. The effects can last between three and five days; then you'll need another treatment. "It just removes the top dead cells that regenerate quickly," Baumann says. Because the benefits persist only briefly, some people may not find it worthwhile, she says.
[Battling crow's feet? Try acupuncture.]
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