An anti-aging glossary

You can’t stop time, but you can slow the cosmetic effects of aging with a variety of procedures and products. There is an option for every budget and every skin type, and we recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out what’s best for you. The following is a non-comprehensive glossary of anti-aging procedures, intended to be used as a starting point for your own research. This glossary does not contain medical or professional advice, and not all side effects are included.

Allumera is a noninvasive, photodynamic therapy that uses topical cream and light rays to reduce the appearance of unwanted brown spots caused by the sun and small, broken capillaries. It’s applied to the treatment area and allowed to soak in for about 60 minutes. It is then washed from the skin’s surface, and the treatment area is illuminated with a light source, stimulating the active ingredients. The light therapy works to destroy damaged skin cells for a brighter, clearer complexion and younger-looking skin. Available exclusively at Z Aesthetic Dermatology.
Pros: Allumera is gentler than most anti-aging procedures.
Cons: Mild prickling sensation or tingling, mild redness for a few days. Patients must avoid sun exposure and wear SPF 30 sunscreen to maintain results.
Cost: $425-$550 per treatment

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines. The treatments are available from numerous providers in the area.
Pros: Botox injections are quick and can be done on your lunch break. After your treatment, you’ll see results within one to three days.
Cons: Shots can be painful and can cause bruising. Botox may cause serious side effects, including problems swallowing, speaking or breathing, loss of strength and muscle weakness. Botox injections are temporary and must be repeated every three to six months.
Cost: $250-$450 per session.

Chemical peels use a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Chemical peels may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. They come in varying strengths. Available from numerous providers in the area.
Pros: May be covered by insurance in certain medically related cases. There are over-the-counter light peels available.
Cons: Anesthesia may be required in a deep peel. After a deep chemical peel, you may experience swelling, burns, scarring, permanent change in skin color or serious flaking.
Cost: Extremely variable. Mild peels, which can be done by an aesthetician, start at $175, while deep peels that require a plastic surgeon can run in the thousands.

In laser resurfacing, sometimes called “laser peel,” a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. The treatments are available from numerous providers in the area.?
Pros: Generally produces less post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods.
Cons: Risks associated with laser resurfacing include: burns or other injuries from the heat of the laser energy, scarring, and obvious lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Also, laser resurfacing can activate herpes virus infections (“cold sores”) and, rarely, other types of infection.
Average cost: $2,300

A neck lift is an invasive surgery that improves the appearance of the neck by removing excess skin or fat or by removing or altering neck muscles.
Pros: Results are long-lasting.
Cons: As with any surgery, side effects can be serious and include swelling, bruising, burning, and other sensations, as well as a risk of permanent scarring and infection.
Average cost: $7,000

Radiesse, formerly known as Radiance, is a nontoxic injectable gel used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to treat scars. The treatments are available from numerous providers in the area.
Pros: Perhaps the biggest advantage of Radiesse™ is that it lasts longer than other dermal fillers because it stimulates new collagen growth beneath the surface of the skin for natural facial rejuvenation. Other injectables require multiple treatments, but Radiesse only requires one that lasts up to a year, sometimes longer.
Cons: Radiesse is more expensive than other comparable treatments.
Cost: $1,000 per syringe.

The Restylane family of products is used to plump skin and correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth, and may also be used for lip enhancement. Treatments on lips can define them, create more lip volume and smooth wrinkles and smoker’s lines around the mouth. Restylane can also provide a more pronounced chin and an enhanced cheek line.
Pros: Restylane has minimal risk for an allergic reaction because the hyaluronic acid is non-animal. The procedure is nonsurgical with little down time, and benefits can be seen immediately. Lasts 6-12 months.
Cons: Swelling, redness, pain, bruising, or tenderness may occur. If you have had facial cold sores before, an injection can cause an outbreak. Rarely, the doctor may inject into a blood vessel, which can damage the skin. Red or swollen small bumps may occur.
Cost: $695-$895

This is a gentle, all-natural, mineral-rich peel that gently abrades and draws out impurities from the skin with the naturally restorative power of salt. Next, the DermaPhoresis process is applied to the skin and is followed by a process of a deep heat and massage ultrasound. The entire process is shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, acne, stretch marks and scarring. It also evens skin tone and helps correct sun-damaged skin. Available at Rejuve Medical Spa.
Pros: You may resume normal activities immediately following the Salt-A-Peel treatment. There is no down time whatsoever, and the process is virtually painless.
Cons: Skin may be dry and flaky for several days as renewal occurs.
Cost: Starting at $150 per treatment.

The Silhouette Lift is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive alternative to a facelift. It is performed under local anesthetic and uses a new type of suspension sutures to tighten sagging tissue in the mid to lower face and jowls. Available at the Metabolic Anti-Aging Center of Louisiana.
Pros: No hospitalization or long recovery time.
Cons: The thread lift is still a relatively new procedure, and its techniques are still being developed. Most patients experience minimal bruising or swelling for one to seven days.
Average price: $3,500

Arbonne products are known for their pure, premium botanical ingredients. The RE9 Intensive Renewal Serum contains nine age-defying elements that accelerates results twice as fast to help visibly firm and lift skin and dramatically diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros: Clinically proven to start working within 24 hours.
Cons: None.
Cost: $58 for 1 oz. Available online or from local Arbonne reps.

Using a healthy dose of vitamin C, Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector provides instant hydration and works to fade dark spots over time.
Pros: The serum has a very lightweight texture and also helps fade wrinkles. Available at drugstores.
Cons: While the product does noticeably fade dark spots over time, it is not known to make them disappear 100%. Side effects can include acne breakouts.
Cost: $17 for 1.7 oz.

Voted by Prevention magazine as one of 2012’s best beauty products, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum contains retinol to smooth fine lines and fade wrinkles.
Pros: Widely available at drugstores. Works fast and has fewer side effects than other retinol-containing products.
Cons: None.
Cost: $22 for 1 oz.

ELASTIderm eye cream contains a revolutionary bi-mineral complex to help restore the elasticity around your eyes and reduce the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros: The Obagi line of products is available over-the-counter at several medical spas in Baton Rouge.
Cons: None, though buyer beware if you try to buy it at a discount from online retailers.
Cost: $98 for .5 oz.