Those first few signs of aging can be the toughest to handle. You look in the mirror one day and see a laughing, youthful-looking twentysomething looking back. When you look in the mirror the next day, you see an older, wizened 30 year old, complete with laugh and frown lines.

While the old argument went that you didn’t need any sort of cosmetic treatment until you were much older, a number of minimally invasive treatments can help you deal with the signs of aging from a young age. In some cases, getting a treatment or injection while you’re still in your 30s can mean that you need fewer treatments or less surgery as you get older.

Botox

In 2013, more than 94,000 patients between the ages of 20 and 29 had Botox injections performed. The treatment, which focuses on the two vertical lines between the eyebrows and the crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, has become more and more popular with younger people. One reason why younger people are drawn to Botox is that it works on even subtle, barely there lines. The injection keeps certain muscles from moving, so the wrinkles don’t have a chance to develop.

Some surgeons and younger patients believe in something known as preventative Botox. If you start getting injections at the first sign of wrinkles, it’s thought that you can keep those wrinkles from becoming very severe.

Since everyone starts to age at different times and show signs of aging differently, it’s a good idea to see your facial plastic surgeon before you get Botox. If your skin is very thin and light, you may need injections earlier than someone with thicker or darker skin. Not everyone moves their facial muscles the same way. If you don’t regularly furrow your brow, you may never need Botox, no matter how old you are.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Wrinkles aren’t the only early signs of aging. If you’re pushing 30 or in your 30s, you might have started to notice that your skin’s texture has changed. Your pores might look bigger or you may have some pronounced scarring due to bouts of acne in the past. Laser skin resurfacing can help reduce or remove several early signs of aging, including uneven texture, uneven skin tone and even lines and wrinkles.

A superficial treatment, which removes just the very top layer of dead skin cells, might be all you need to get the type of results you want. Superficial laser skin resurfacing treatments offer a few advantages over waiting until you need a deeper treatment. Recovery and healing time is shorter. The treatment is also a lot less painful and usually doesn’t require an anesthetic or sedation.

Juvederm Voluma

While some people notice wrinkles and some people notice uneven texture and tone as they start to get older, some notice that their cheeks look a lot less full and youthful. Full, almost chubby cheeks are a sign of youth. When you’re young, your face is often shaped like an upside down triangle. The widest part of the triangle is across your cheekbones while the peak of the triangle is at the base of your chin. As you get older, that triangle flips over, so that your chin is the widest area and the cheeks are narrower. Words used to describe an aging face that’s lost volume include gaunt and drawn.

The FDA recently approved a special type of hyaluronic acid filler, Juvederm Voluma, to add volume to the cheek area. Voluma is thicker than other types of hyaluronic acid, so that it provides lift and shape to the treated area.

As with other injections, treatment with Juvederm Voluma is very quick. Most injections take about 15 minutes. Pain and discomfort are minimal during and after the procedure. The results last a long time, up to two years.

Dermaplaning

Like laser skin resurfacing, dermaplaning exfoliates the top layer of skin from the face, helping you look more youthful and refreshed. The treatment works on a number of different skin types and helps remove hyperpigmentation, acne scars, areas of dry skin and lines and wrinkles. Dermaplaning involves having a professional move a sharp blade over the surface of the skin. Since no substances or lasers are involved, it can be an ideal treatment for people who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

You can also pick and choose where you have dermaplaning performed. Some people might want to have the procedure performed all over their face, while others may decide to have a small section treated.

If you’ve just turned 30 or are becoming more concerned about the signs of aging on your face, Dr. Kyle Choe can help. A board certified facial plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, Dr. Choe performs many non-invasive treatments on patients of all ages. To learn more about your options, call 757.389.5850 to book an appointment today.