The top 3 anti-aging services

Think all skin care services are created equal? Think again.  We’ve traveled to the top medical spas in Chicagoland to rate (and report back) anti-aging services.

Which ones serve up real results instead of just offering up empty promises? Plus, we're divulging the 3 biggest mistakes you won't want to make on the road to a younger looking you.

Love it! The Hydrafacial: This non-crystal version of Microdermabrasion (called Hydradermabrasion) cleanses, exfoliates and resurfaces the skin with hydrating and nourishing treatment serums.  The HydraFacial is an advanced, next generation Microdermabrasion treatment that combines exfoliation with painless extraction and deep pore cleansing to refine and resurface the skin. But unlike a traditional microderm, Hydradermabrasion is richly moisturizing and renewing thanks to the use of "active performance serums" custom selected based on clients' skin types and skin care concerns. Our skin looked more radiant with just one treatment, a series of six weekly treatments is recommended.
Cost: $100 and up
Treatment Tip: This is an ideal treatment for those just beginning to worry about aging as it is not as aggressive as some of the other treatments on our list.

Love it! Chemical Peels: Some things – unlike the lines on your face-- do get better with age. Chemical Peels are classic offerings that have stood the test of time thanks to their simplicity and effectiveness in reducing wrinkles and banishing age spots as well as blemishes. The potency of the peel your skin care expert suggests for you will vary based on your individual skin care needs. Mild AHA peels such as Glycolic, Lactic or fruits acids can be highly effective for those with moderate complexion concerns while Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is commonly used for medium-depth peeling.  Finally, Phenol treatments produce the deepest peel and address the most dramatic complexion concerns.
Cost: Light peels may cost as little as $150 with deep peels running as high as $6,000.
Treatment Tip: The most popular peels are AHA peels because they serve up visible improvements in the skin, often with no downtime.


Love it! Laser Skin Resurfacing: While the brands vary—think The Erbium, The CO2,  Er:YAG, Fraxel, Thermage, Smoothbeam and beyond –  we put Laser Skin Resurfacing on our best list thanks to consistently solid results in reducing facial wrinkles as well as treating blemishes and acne scars. Also known as lasabrasion, laser peel or laser vaporization, Laser Skin Resurfacing is done on an outpatient basis and can be used to spot-treat  wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and forehead, typically in less than an hour, or the entire face may be treated in two hours or less.
Cost: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average cost of Laser Skin Resurfacing starting at $1,359. During May MedSpa Month individual Laser Skin Resurfacing treatments are available for $99.
Treatment Trend: According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Laser Skin Resurfacing treatments increased 134% from 2000 to 2008.


The don’ts: Do get proactive about the state of your skin but don’t make these common mistakes when it comes to turning back the clock.

-Don’t forget to prevent cold sores. Anyone who is prone to cold sores may end up wearing one after the skin saving favorites we mentioned above so do ask the doctor about a cold sore preventing prescription (the physicians at many medical spas can write one for you) or be sure to have an OTC cold sore cure such as Abreva on hand.

-Don’t self-diagnose: Sure, WebMD is great and we highly recommend being your own advocate, but when it comes to your skin, trust the experts at a reputable medspa to point you in the right direction. That’s what consultations are for.

-Don’t skip doing your research:  Do be sure to pick a reputable medical spa where treatments are administered by a medical professional.  Browse our list of recommended Medical Spas in your city.

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