THE CONCERN: SAGGING SKIN

Just as the loss of collagen and elastin in our dermis can bring on wrinkles as we get older, it can also cause the skin to lose its bounce and firmness, giving it a lax appearance. The areas of the face that are often most affected include the cheeks (where we get jowls), eyelids, under the eyes and under the chin. Unfortunately, sagging is one of the more challenging skin concerns to treat and often requires a more in-depth treatment plan. The experts warn that less-inexpensive treatments will not yield dramatic results but can aid with prevention.

$475 AND UNDER COLD LASER AND LED THERAPIES

APPROXIMATE COST At-home LED masks start at around $475; one in-office session costs from $40 to $150

NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUIRED Five to 10 in-office sessions or three to five times per week for four to six weeks for at-home masks

RESULTS LAST FOR A few months once the initial bulk of sessions has been completed

DOWNTIME None

SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TONES? Yes

HOW IT WORKS Cold laser and LED therapies are similar in that they both use light wavelengths to boost cellular activity, but a cold laser can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and be used to target specific areas of the face. LED light scatters more, so it’s ideal for treating larger surfaces and doesn’t reach quite as deeply. Both LED and cold laser help boost collagen production to give the skin a firmer, more lifted look. For LED, convenient at-home masks are available, but in-office treatments are more powerful. Additional treatment options: Non-RF microneedling and neuromodulators

$1,500 AND UNDER PLATELET-RICH-FIBRIN (PRF) AND PLATELET-RICH-PLASMA (PRP) INJECTIONS

APPROXIMATE COST $500 to $1,500

NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUIRED PRF requires two sessions, while PRP requires three to six

RESULTS LAST FOR One year

DOWNTIME One to two days

SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TONES? Yes

HOW IT WORKS For this procedure, your blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge and then injected into your face. The main difference between PRP and PRF is the speed at which the blood is spun as this determines the amount of platelets and growth factors. PRF is richer in white blood cells, stem cells and fibrin, while PRP is chock full of platelets and plasma. PRP is often used for skin-tone irregularities like hyperpigmentation, while PRF is great for addressing deeper wrinkles and sagging skin.

HYALURONIC ACID (HA) DERMAL FILLERS

APPROXIMATE COST $500 to $900 per syringe

NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUIRED One to three

RESULTS LAST FOR Six to 18 months

DOWNTIME Minimal; there may be some swelling and bruising for one to two weeks

SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TONES? Yes

HOW IT WORKS Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm are injected to add volume back into specific areas of the face. A substance that’s already naturally occurring in the body, hyaluronic acid gives the skin structure and helps it look plump and bouncy. Our levels begin to decrease as we age, and these fillers can restore volume loss. Areas like the cheeks, chin, lips and jawline are popular spots for fillers.

Additional treatment option: RF microneedling

$4,500 AND UNDER POLYDIOXANONE (PDO) OR POLY-L-LACTIC ACID (PLLA) THREAD LIFT

APPROXIMATE COST $1,500 to $4,500

NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUIRED One

RESULTS LAST FOR One year to 18 months

DOWNTIME Three to five days

SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TONES? Yes

HOW IT WORKS Known as a non-surgical facelift, this treatment uses sutures under the skin to pull back and hoist the face. Often used to target drooping in the cheeks, eyebrows, jawline and nasolabial folds, surgical threads are placed in the subcutaneous layer of the skin and act like tiny hooks to hold your skin up and minimize sagging. In addition to the lifting benefits, the sutures also incite your skin to produce more collagen, which further aids in giving the skin a more taut appearance.

BIOSTIMULATORY INJECTABLES

APPROXIMATE COST $1,800 to $2,700 per session

NUMBER OF SESSIONS REQUIRED Three

RESULTS LAST FOR One to two years

DOWNTIME Minimal; there may be some mild bruising and swelling. Wong says that with Sculptra, the area must be massaged for five minutes five times a day for five days post-treatment to ensure smooth and even results and that swelling may be more significant with Radiesse.

SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TONES? Yes

HOW IT WORKS The new frontier of injectables, biostimulatory agents such as Sculptra and Radiesse work by prompting collagen production. Over time, the biostimulatory substance helps the skin become plumper and firmer.

Additional treatment option: Dermal fillers