When thinking beyond topical products, getting zapped is one of the best in-office bets. "Lasers generate microscopic, controlled wounds in the dermal layer of the skin. The skin then responds to this trauma by making new, stronger collagen that leaves the skin thicker, firmer, and smoother," explains MacGregor. We get it, words like "wounds" and "trauma" sound scary, but keep in mind that we're talking about microscopic injury that doesn't cause any kind of lasting damage and that you can't even see. Your skin may look slightly pink for a little while after a laser treatment, but it's really more about what's happening underneath the surface of the skin where all of that new collagen is being stimulated.
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Fillers
Injectable fillers are known for quickly plumping and filling-out fine lines, but they deliver more than just this instant fix. "New collagen synthesis occurs at the site and around where the fillers are injected," says MacGregor. "The skin actually gets thicker and the texture improves." Also nice: while it depends on which injectable is used and where it's injected, even those instant results will last up to a year, giving you something to hold you over while that new collagen production kicks in.
Working in a similar manner as lasers, this technique simply involves using thin needles to cause micro-trauma to the skin, rather than the light energy of a laser, explains MacGregor. You may often see these treatments paired with a heavy dose of topical products, as creating these tiny wounds in the skin temporarily improves the penetration of any active ingredients that you apply immediately after.
