Trending anti-aging treatments - FOX 8 News WVUE-TV

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) -

Julie uses fractal laser treatments to keep her skin looking young with improved texture.

“There is very, very little down time, and there is not very much pain involved and it is an extremely natural result,” she said.

That natural look is what experts say more patients are opting for. A host of minimally invasive treatments are aimed at achieving it.

“We have so many new technologies, so many new procedures, and there is so much interest,” said Dr. Arielle Kauvar.

Interests in treatments like focused ultrasound to tighten the skin; fractal lasers to treat scars, wrinkles and improve texture; or micro needling, which uses small needles to create a tiny injury to the skin.

“You can create microscopic wounds to the skin, and that stimulates the skin to produce new collagen by essentially tricking the skin into going into this wound-repair mechanism, we can reverse some of the aspects of aging,” Kauvar said.

Some experts recommend starting treatment early at the first signs of aging in order to slow the process. Dr. Scott Glasberg, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, sees a trend toward minimally invasive procedures, but he feels some treatments border on too little for some patients.

“There are times where surgery or more invasive procedures are the best option for patients and that's generally later in life,” he said. “More extreme situations, where patients have waited and not had minimally invasive to start.”

Kauva points out that sometimes a combination of treatments works best, and says lasers can't prevent wrinkles from returning in areas with a lot of muscle movement.

“So injectables, which is neurotoxin and fillers, accomplished one kind of change, where as lasers and ultrasound treatments accomplish another,” Kauva said. “And often to get the total picture and best rejuvenation we combine them.”

If you do consider opting for a newer, minimally invasive anti-aging treatment, Kauvar recommends seeing a physician who is well-qualified and has a lot of experience with the treatment device.

“Although they are extremely safe when used properly, these are high-energy devices, and it is possible to create side effects when they're not used properly,” Kauvar said.

As for Julie, she's happy with the results she has seen.

“My skin is tighter, it's smoother without looking blown up,” she said.

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