Skin Health Skin Care & Cleansing Products Anti-Aging Skin Care What Is Skin Rejuvenation? By Yvelette Stines linkedin Yvelette Stines, MS, MEd, is an author, writer, and communications specialist specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Yvelette Stines Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD on April 12, 2021 linkedin Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Review Board Leah Ansell, MD Published on April 12, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Definition Types At-Home Treatments Whether your skin has changed as you've gotten older or due to a health condition, there are a number of skin treatments that can help rejuvenate your skin. Read on to learn more about your options. jeffbergen / Getty Images Definition Skin rejuvenation includes various treatments that aim to restore your skin from any damage. Skin damage could be a result of sun exposure, an underlying health condition, or a normal sign of aging. Certain treatment options are milder than an overall facelift and can also be used to treat specific areas. Some of the procedures of skin rejuvenation include: Laser skin resurfacing Chemical peels Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion Microneedling IPL (intense pulsed light) Dermal fillers Botulinum toxin type A treatments (Botox) Contraindications and Risks There are some risks that can come with skin rejuvenation. These include: Infection Skin texture change Scarring Burns Allergic reactions Light or dark spots Delayed wound healing In general, it is important to check with your doctor before getting a treatment to make sure it is suitable. It is most important for individuals who have a weak immune system, are prone to scarring, are known to have cold sores, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding to consult with their doctor before they choose to get a skin rejuvenation treatment. What Kind of Doctor Should You Contact? Contact a dermatologist to find out if you’re a candidate for skin rejuvenation. They can help educate you and give the best advice based on your medical history. Types of Skin Rejuvenating Treatments Laser Skin Resurfacing Laser skin resurfacing—also known as lasabrasion, laser peel, and laser vaporization—is known to reduce scars, blemishes, and facial wrinkles. Overall, this treatment can improve the complexion, aged or sun-damaged skin, acne scars, warts, fine lines, and wrinkles around your forehead, mouth, or under your eyes. There are two types of lasers used during skin resurfacing procedures: Ablative lasers: This is a procedure that brings an intense light to the skin. It is like a wavelength. When an individual gets this treatment, the outer layers of sun-damaged or aged skin are removed. The laser continues to stimulate the underlying skin while forming collagen. This improves wrinkles. When the skin heals after the procedure, the new skin that grows is tighter and smoother. Non-ablative lasers: This is a procedure that improves the appearance of scars, sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, and age spots without injuring the surface of the skin. What You Need to Know About Laser Skin Resurfacing Peels Chemical Peels A chemical peel is a treatment that resurfaces the skin by applying a solution that helps the outer layers of the skin to peel away. Once the treatment is done, the skin will have a smoother complexion. Chemical peels are known to tighten, tone, and brighten the complexion. They also reduce or remove discoloration, age spots, or blotchiness. Types of chemical peels include: Light chemical peels: This is a treatment that uses a mild solution such as alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, or fruit enzymes. This treatment penetrates only the outer layers of the skin. Deep chemical peels: Deep chemical peels reach the deeper layers of the skin. Some of the treatments are move involved and may require anesthesia. Would Your Skin Benefit From a Salicylic Acid Peel? Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion use the same technique but with varying degrees of intensity: Microdermabrasion: This procedure can be used on the neck, hands, face, or body. The treatment consists of an area that is exfoliated using a mist of abrasive particles. The exfoliated skin is then vacuumed away. This treatment is safe for all skin types and has minimal side effects. Microdermabrasion can minimize wrinkles and fine lines. It also reduces age spots and mild acne scars while brightening and improving the skin tone. This treatment can be performed in one sitting or over a series of appointments to get the best results. Dermabrasion: This treatment removes the rough layers of skin and encourages new cell growth. When an individual gets dermabrasion, an instrument is used to remove the skin from the treated area. This procedure reaches deep into the skin's surface. It is not recommended for every skin type due to the fact that it can affect the pigmentation of the skin. Some patients may need a local or topical anesthetic during the procedure. This treatment can minimize fine lines and wrinkles, smooth and balance the complexion of the skin, and remove scars and other blemishes. What to Expect During Your First Microdermabrasion Treatment Microneedling Microneedling is a treatment that is known to stimulate elastin and collagen production. When a person gets this procedure done, some substances are applied to the skin. These can include hyaluronic acid or ascorbic acid. This is applied before or after treatment so there is deep penetration into the skin. Then the professional will use an instrument that has small, sharp, thin needles on the skin. This procedure is known to be painless and has minimal risks. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Intense pulsed light (IPL) helps rejuvenate the complexion and treats pigmentation problems. IPL uses a broad spectrum of light wavelengths that briefly pulse the skin. The light then absorbs excessive pigment in the skin to restore an even complexion. It also stimulates collagen production for the improvement of the overall skin tone. No skin is removed during this treatment. Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers are known to help restore volume and fullness in the face. They can also help get rid of facial lines. This treatment can help delay the signs of aging without the need for cosmetic surgery such as a facelift, brow lift, or eye lift. Some of the results of this treatment include: The softening of wrinkles Improved appearance of scars The removal or decrease of the shadow of the lower lids How to Choose the Best Facial Filler for You Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatments (Botox) Botox is a treatment that is known to weaken certain muscles by blocking the nerves. In skincare, it can provide smoothing of facial wrinkles. Depending on what is being treated, the effects can last from three to 12 months. If an individual gets Botox treatments, some of the side effects can include: Bruising Pain Swelling at the injection site Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not get Botox. The Lowdown on What Botox Can and Cannot Do At-Home Treatments There are options for at-home treatments. For example, at-home microdermabrasion and chemical peels have lower concentrations of the same ingredients that you would get from a professional. There are also a number of ultrasound, laser, LED light, and microneedling roller products that you can use at home. These are great economical treatments that can keep skin rejuvenated and address minor flaws. Before using an at-home treatment, ask a healthcare professional to make sure it is the right option. Read all the directions and risks. A Word From Verywell When a person has a skin rejuvenation treatment, the outcomes will vary depending on the procedure and individual. It is important to speak with a doctor regarding your goals, past and present medical history, and any concerns. Your doctor can help you find the best treatment and plan that will work for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harvard Health. Want to take years off your face? These treatments can rejuvenate your skin. Updated January 2017. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing? American Academy of Dermatology. Who should provide your cosmetic treatment? American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Skin resurfacing guide. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dermal fillers. MedlinePlus. Botox. Updated May 14, 2020.