Treating signs of ageing, skin laxity, photoaging, acne scars, age spots, and even a nose bump (to name a few!) is now possible without going under the knife. Unlike cosmetic surgery, which often requires weeks or months of recovery time, non-invasive procedures allow patients to enjoy fantastic outcomes with little to no downtime.
However, this flexibility comes at a cost; the results of non-invasive procedures are temporary. More than that, some require several sessions for the initial round of treatment.
So, how often do these non-invasive treatments need to be performed to maintain the desired results? Let's break down the ideal frequency for some of the most popular non-surgical procedures, starting with the ones we offer at Dr Aesthetica.
Dermal Fillers
Injectable fillers have become the gold standard of minimally invasive aesthetics thanks to their ability to plump up, smoothen wrinkles and recontour any part of the face.
- Hyaluronic Acid (H.A.) Filler: The most common filler option is offered under brand names like Juvederm®, Intraline® and Restylane®. H.A. fillers generally last six to 12 months, after which you'll need follow-up treatment to maintain the results.
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Filler: CaHA injectables like Radiesse® typically last about 12 -18 months. After that time, additional injections are required to maintain the effects.
- Polylactic Acid (PLLA) Filler: PLLA products like Sculptra® are classified as 'collagen stimulators' thanks to their ability to help skin naturally rebuild collagen. The effects last 18 to 24 months, after which you'll need another treatment to keep the collagen production going.
- Polymethyl-methacrylate Microspheres (PMMA) Filler: Two treatment sessions spaced one month apart are needed to achieve optimal results. The synthetic, biocompatible microspheres in the filler take shape under the skin to provide structure and firmness for about five years.
Profhilo
Profhilo is an injectable skin remodelling treatment made from a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid. Rather than plumping and filling wrinkles (like HA fillers), Profhilo acts as a hydrator that transforms tired, dull-looking skin into firm, luminous skin. It also slowly releases the Hyaurnoc acid, further stimulating the production of collagen in the skin.
A single course of Profhilo involves 2 injectable treatments 4 weeks apart. This treatment course can be repeated every six months to maintain the results.
Microneedling
This collagen-inducing therapy stimulates the body's natural healing mechanisms to address skin concerns like laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, stretch marks, and pigmentation. A series of three to six treatments spaced four weeks apart is usually needed to see the best results.
* At Dr Aesthetica, we combine microneedling with stem cell growth factors to boost your results significantly.
Radiofrequency Skin Tightening
Radiofrequency skin tightening tackles skin laxity head-on by sending low energy radiation to heat the deep layer of your skin. This heat stimulates collagen production, which helps improve signs of wrinkles and sagging skin. The initial course of therapy requires 4-6 sessions performed every two to four weeks. After that, you only need the occasional touch up to maintain your results.
*Radiofrequency is one of the recently introduced treatments at Dr Aesthetica. We are proud to partner with Lumenis to bring NuEra™ Tight with FocalRF Technology to our patients. This is a revolutionary technology that allows us to provide skin tightening treatments that are tailored precisely to the patient's distinctive needs.
Botox
Botulinum toxin type A temporarily relaxes the underlying muscles to prevent contraction and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While Botox has become synonymous with the treatment, it's actually only one of the different anti-wrinkle injections in the market. In the UK, we have Azzalure, while the Botox competitors in the US include Dysport and Xeomin.
While each has its own unique formulations, you can typically expect the results to last about three to four months.
Skin Peel
Chemical peels can treat most skin-related issues, from visible signs of ageing to hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. However, the type of result you see and how often you can repeat the treatment depends on the concentration of the acids in the peel.
*At Dr Aesthetica in Birmingham, we only use AlumierMD skin peels as they are much more gentle to the skin than the generic ones in the market. AlumierMD products, including their chemical peels, don't contain any artificial scents, perfumes, or chemical preservatives such as parabens
- Superficial peels: Only lightly exfoliate the very top layers of the epidermis. Expect minor falling for a few days following the procedure. Treatments can be repeated every three to six weeks.
- Medium-depth peels: These reach the papillary dermis layer of the skin (the uppermost layer of the dermis). Patients can expect skin flaking for up to two weeks. The procedure can be repeated every three to six months.
- Deep skin peels: This intensely exfoliating treatment reaches the lower layer of the dermis, which allows it to resurface the skin thoroughly. Up to three months of recovery time may be needed for the skin to heal fully. The procedure is rarely performed more than once on a single patient.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is quickly becoming the preferred hair removal method in the UK. Sessions are scheduled every four to six weeks, with six to ten typically needed for optimal results. Once ideal results are achieved (80-90% hair removal), only 1 or 2 touch-ups are usually required annually.
Other Popular Treatments
Though not offered at our aesthetic clinic, the remaining treatments are still popular among different patients and other institutions.
Non-ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing
Non-ablative resurfacing like Fraxel® is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses laser to improve skin texture and tone without causing physical injury to the skin surface. This is different from ablative laser treatments, which remove the outer layers of skin and primarily involves only one treatment. On the other hand, non-ablative laser resurfacing calls for three to five treatments, each spaced four weeks apart. Once the exact skin concern has been addressed, touch-ups can be administered a couple of times a year if the problem reverts.
Kybella®
Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for moderate to severe submental fat (the fat under the chin). A single treatment consists of up to 50 injections! For most patients, 6 treatments will produce ideal results that can last for many years.
Coolsculpting®
This non-surgical liposuction alternative permanently destroys stubborn fat deposits by freezing the fat cells in the targeted areas. While every patient is different, most will need one to three sessions with a recommended wait period of 60 days between treatments.
What's Next?
Non-surgical cosmetic treatments have become a routine part of many people's beauty regimens. The same way you replenish your sunscreen or eye cream when it's up is the same way you go for a follow-up treatment once your results start to wane.
That said, it's essential to understand how often you might have to go in for your preferred non-invasive treatment. That's where consulting with a qualified skin specialist comes in to ensure you are on the best treatment plan for your needs.
