By Taylor Smith 

If dermatologists wore capes instead of lab coats, you might mistake them for magicians. Treatments that improve the appearance of youth and wellbeing have improved dramatically over the past several years, and there’s no better place than New York City to experience the best that technology has to offer. Autumn in New York is sublime, so why not make a vacation out of your dermatological procedure? Spend a long weekend at a boutique hotel in Manhattan and you’ll reemerge with younger looking skin.

In contrast to the more dramatic plastic surgery options, nonsurgical treatments are less drastic, and give a more natural, toned look. Another positive is that they are non-permanent. Up-keep is required if you wish to maintain the look, but at least you can be sure that you won’t come home from your New York-stay looking like the cat lady.

Dermal Fillers

Fillers such as Radiesse, Restylane, and Evolence are popular for people who want to re-contour their faces. These products are highly effective at plumping the skin and filling-in deep lines, wrinkles, and hollow-looking sections of the face. They cannot, however, tighten your skin. If you want a tighter jawline, you’d be better off getting liposuction or a neck lift rather than using injectable fillers. However, these gel-like substances do give instant improvements to areas of the face that have lost volume and become too severe looking. Plumping the cheekbone area, around the eyes, and even lips, can result in a softer, more youthful looking profile.

Wrinkle Relaxants

Botox and Dysport are quick acting injections that reduce wrinkles around the brow, forehead, and eyes within one visit. Oddly enough, doctors often recommend injecting botox into the sweat glands under the armpits for those who complain of excessive under-arm perspiration. When applied to the face, these substances essentially numb the muscles, making it difficult (if not impossible) to furrow one’s brow. The result is an overall smoother appearance. Through repeated use, lines will disappear altogether as the facial muscles “re-learn” which to activate. An interesting fact is that physicians have recently begun to explore the connection between Botox and antidepressants. When men and women no longer have the ability to frown or to have a look of anxiety on their faces, they are sometimes less likely to experience the depressive moods that correlate with these facial expressions. While further studies need to be done, physicians are beginning to wonder whether simply altering one’s expression with Botox can help to relieve depressive symptoms.

Retinoid and Anti-Aging Creams

The least expensive option, anti-aging creams are generally quite effective. Truly, any sort of moisturizing cream that you apply to your face regularly will result in the thickening and preservation of your skin. Creams can even correct pigmentation irregularities caused by aging and excessive sun exposure. While creams containing retinoids, antioxidants, and alpha-hydroxy can reduce the appearance of small, fine wrinkles, they will not have a large effect on reducing the look of deep lines. Another important preventative solution is to apply sunscreen to the face and neck everyday.

Fractional Laser Treatment

The latest form of skin resurfacing technology, fractional laser treatment, is much less severe than older resurfacing lasers, but the procedure still requires a recovery time of anywhere from one to three weeks. This laser beam is broken-up, hence the “fractional” name. Rather than targeting the laser towards all of the face, the laser covers small areas, leaving other areas untouched. A doctor will determine which areas of the face to target based on initial tests and consultations. For example, skin damage caused by repeated sunburns on a person’s forehead means that the laser will target this area as opposed to the skin around their nose or mouth. The parts of the skin that are treated are essentially injured to stimulate the production of new collagen and fresh skin growth. In this way, the skin is repairing itself. Patients report that a stinging sensation akin to sprays of hot oil is felt across the targeted areas. Post-treatment, redness and swelling will result in some inevitable discomfort. During the recovery period, it is imperative to stay out of the sun, to moisturize heavily, and to apply cool compresses to the face.