The adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” holds particularly true when it comes to maintaining youthful skin. Investing in preventative skin care treatments at younger ages can often be more effective than addressing issues like wrinkles, dark spots, and skin laxity after they’ve appeared.
This is where the cosmetic concept of “prejuvenation” comes into play. Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon sheds some light on this trend, “Prejuvenation is a relatively new concept that refers to non-surgical treatments designed to keep skin looking young and vibrant before signs of aging really begin to show. We have many patients who begin treatments including neurotoxins like preventative Botox®, laser treatments such as MOXI™, a series of advanced chemical peels and microneedling as early as their 20s, just as collagen and elastin production begins to slow.”
When combined with advanced at-home skin care regimens, prejuvenation treatments not only refresh skin in its current state, but also proactively combat signs of aging, providing a holistic approach that prioritizes long-term skin health and resiliency.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, adds that laser treatments are new, popular ways to not only prevent signs of aging but also to delay the need for invasive treatments like surgery. “Cutting-edge devices like BBL HEROic and fractionated laser treatments like MOXI™, BBL® HERO™ and HALO® laser treatment are able to tighen skin, reduce pigment and smoothen texture in one short appointment with minimal downtime,” he says. “Many of our patients combine laser treatments with injections, dermatologist-grade skin care products and avid sunscreen use to help skin maintain its youthful look for longer.”
Want to know more about delaying signs of aging? Learn about some of our top prejuvenation treatments at Schlessinger MD, including what skin conditions they’re best for and what age to start:
Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, stimulates the epidermis with an array of tiny needles to jumpstart the skin’s healing mechanisms. This leads to more collagen and elastin production, delays the formation of wrinkles and keeps skin looking smooth. At Schlessinger MD, we utilize Intensif RF Microneedling, which combines ultra-fine, gold-plated needles with targeted radiofrequency energy. This advanced technique penetrates deep into the dermis, effectively treating early sun damage, acne scars, and textural irregularities for enhanced skin rejuvenation. If you prefer a spa treatment, try Aquagold Micro-Infusion facial at the LovelySkin spa. It is similar to microneedling, but is also able to infuse a custom blend of ingredients directly into skin with nano needles coated in 24k gold.
What age to start: Microneedling results are at their best before wrinkles become too deep, so it’s best to start this prejuvenation treatment by your late 20s or early 30s.
Skin concerns it’s best for: Early sun damage, scarring and fine lines. For best results, we recommend a series of three treatments. Maintenance treatments may be needed in the future as your skin continues to age.
Preventative Neurotoxins
Wrinkle relaxers like preventative BOTOX®, Dysport®, Jeuveau™ and Xeomin® are not only one of the best ways to smooth existing wrinkles, but also very effective at preventing expression lines from deepening due to normal facial movement like frowning or laughing.
Neurotoxins function by interrupting nerve signals to the muscles, relaxing muscles and smoothing out wrinkles and creases in the skin. However, Dr. Joel Schlessinger emphasizes that the objective shouldn’t be to completely “freeze” or stop all muscle movement in the face.
Dr. Schlessinger elaborates, “At Schlessinger MD, only board-certified dermatologists administer our injections, setting us apart from other providers. Our expert knowledge allows us to be precise and strategic in both the amount and placement of injections, ensuring that our patients maintain their natural expressions. We aim for you to look like yourself, only refreshed. You’ll still be able to smile and frown naturally while enjoying the benefits of smoother skin and the prevention of deeper fine lines.”
What age to start: Collagen and elastin production begins declining in your mid 20s and decreases by 1-2% every year after that.You should begin preventative neurotoxin around the same time.
Skin concerns it’s best for: Fine line and wrinkles. For best results, you will need maintenance treatments as your skin metabolizes the neurotoxin and Dr. Schlessinger can help you best determine how often you may require injections.
MOXI™® laser treatment
MOXI™, known as the “lunchtime” treatment, takes less than ten minutes and uses non-ablative, fractionated laser energy that is uniformly distributed over the skin’s surface. Specifically designed as a prejuvenation treatment, it targets the water molecules within skin cells, activating the body’s natural regenerative processes to refresh the complexion.
Known for its minimal to no downtime, this gentler laser treatment is perfectly suited for a first-time laser experience any time of year, including during the summer. MOXI™ is effective for all skin tones, making it a universally appealing option for those seeking skin rejuvenation.
What age to start: MOXI™ is suitable for any age, but for prejuvenation benefits, it’s best to start in your mid-late 20s.
Skin concerns it’s best for: Early sun damage, pore size and uneven texture. For best results, we recommend a series of three treatments and maintenance treatments will be needed in the future as your skin continues to age.
BBL® HERO™ and BBL® HEROic laser treatment
Utilizing advanced pulsed light technology with ten different wavelength filters, BBL® HERO™ and BBL® HEROic achieve faster, more effective, and more comfortable results than traditional lasers. The “ic” in BBL® HEROic represents intelligent control—a sophisticated system that synchronizes the speed of the handpiece with precise energy output.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger adds, “BBL® HEROic delivers treatments four times quicker than BBL HERO and with more consistency, improving efficiency without sacrificing comfort or results.”
What age to start: BBL® HERO™ and BBL® HEROic are suitable for any age, but for prejuvenation benefits, it’s best to start in your early 30s.
Skin concerns it’s best for: Dark spots, moderate sun damage and discoloration. Can be used on the face and precise areas as well as larger areas of the body like neck, legs, arms, back, buttocks and abdomen. For best results, we recommend a series of three treatments and maintenance treatments will be needed in the future as your skin continues to age.
HALO® laser treatment
Well-known for bringing out skin’s natural glow, this hybrid fractional laser targets skin concerns at a deeper level. This technology works by creating controlled thermal injuries in the skin, which prompts the body’s natural healing process to generate new, healthy collagen and elastin. Additionally, it incorporates Dynamic Thermal Optimization technology, which continuously adjusts to the skin’s temperature, ensuring each treatment is as precise and comfortable as possible.
What age to start: HALO® laser treatment is suitable for any age, but for prejuvenation benefits, it’s best to start in your mid-to-late 20s.
Skin concerns it’s best for: Texture problems, enlarged pores, sun damage, pigmentation, and wrinkles. The laser can also be adjusted to be more ablative for tackling deeper skin concerns such as significant pigmentation. For best results, we recommend a series of three treatments and maintenance treatments will be needed in the future as your skin continues to age.
Book a consultation
At Schlessinger MD, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your most confident skin yet. If you’re not confident which skin rejuvenation treatment will bring you one step closer to the goals you have for your skin, you can book a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Schlessinger or one of our physician assistants online. During this consultation, our team will discuss your concerns, answer any questions you may have and develop a treatment plan. If you’d like to speak to a cosmetic coordinator directly, you can call us at (402) 334-7546.