Your face is the first thing that people notice about you. Unsightly facial hair, wrinkles, birthmarks and other facial blemishes can diminish your beauty, stopping you from putting your best face forward.

Luckily, modern science has created a virtual cure-all for almost every imaginable cosmetic predicament from under the sun. From laser hair removal to subcutaneous injections, there are facial and skin treatments available to remove nature’s imperfections. You may not be able to turn back the hands of time, but you can look like you have, thanks to innovative cosmetic procedures offered at medical spas throughout the country.

It’s integral that you research the cosmetic procedure best suited to your needs. Learn what your options are and then consult with a medical spa to get started. It is possible to reverse the damage done by staying on top of your physical appearance. When you look better, you’ll feel better. Here is a breakdown of the facial and skin treatments available to you.

Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal can provide relief for extreme relief for unwanted facial hair. Many women are embarrassed by dark patches of hair above the lip or on the chin. Instead of having to undergo painful waxing or electrolysis procedures which must be done repeatedly, laser hair removal can effectively treat the problem in a matter of visits.

During laser hair removal, a laser passes beneath the skin to damage the root, leaving the skin unscathed. This process prevents the hair from growing back for the most part, although there is a recurrence of growth in some cases. However, the new hairs are finer in texture and lighter in color than the original ones.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion can is used to fix a number of facial blemishes and return that youthful, smooth look to the face. With this inexpensive yet effective cosmetic procedure, those marks that leave people feeling inadequate can be minimized or wiped away all together. Micodermabrasion is ideal for relieving fine lines, sun spots, acne scars, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation.

The use of fine crystals against the affected area reduces the appearance of facial flaws. For optimal results, chemical peels are often used in conjunction with microdermabrasion. This process is commonly used to treat the hands. Up to eight treatments are conducted over the course of a few weeks. The end result is smoother, more youthful-looking skin.

Chemical Peels
Chemical peels restore a smooth, flawless look to the face. By removing the top layer of dead, dry skin from the face, this cosmetic procedure fights wrinkles, acne scars, fine lines and uneven pigmentation.

The treatment works in the following way. During a facial peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face. This eradicates damaged skin cells, peeling away the outer layer of skin to reveal an uncontaminated layer of skin. The strengths and solutions of the chemicals are determined based on skin depth.

In general, a chemical facial peel can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as one hour. The most commonly used peeling agents are Phenol, Trichloroacetic acid or Alphahydroxy acids.

Facial Spider Vein Removal
As we age, unsightly spider veins pop up around the nose, on the cheeks and throughout the face. This web of broken red lines can leave a person feeling self-conscious about their appearance. In addition, spider veins easily tack on years. With vein removal treatments, spider veins can be zapped away in no time.

The laser vein removal process involves a light that's sent beneath the skin and attacks the hemoglobin in the capillaries. This, in turn, results in the dissipation of the vein. Within a few weeks the vein is minimized or completely gone.

Before the cosmetic procedure, a professional visibly identifies the appropriate areas. In some cases, a topical anesthetic is first applied to the spots to reduce pain, especially if it is a sensitive area. Once this part of the facial treatment is complete, the area is shaved and the intense bursts of light attack the vein, causing it to fade. The process usually lasts about 20 minutes.

While some individuals do not experience any discomfort, others may feel a slight stinging sensation, the equivalent to the snapping of a rubber band on their skin. There is no recovery time and patients can resume their every day activities immediately following the facial spider vein removal.

Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
Years of sun exposure cause the formation of brown spots all over the body. The face is one of the most susceptible parts of the body. Luckily, there are facial and skin treatments to eliminate brown spots and leave the face rejuvenated and looking years younger.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment can be used as an effective treatment for sun spots. Through this procedure, high intensity pulses of light zero in on the area to be treated. The energy passes beneath the first layer of skin and targets the pigment thereby eradicating the brown spots in a quick, effective manner.

IPL treatments take about 20 to 30 minutes. Once the "undamaging" is done you can immediately revisit your daily way of life - whether it's going to the gym or returning to work. Doctors do warn that patients should use sunscreen in the meantime. For the most part, the brown spots won't return. That doesn't mean new ones won't appear on other body parts. Avoiding sunlight plays an integral role in making sure they don't reappear.

Vascular Lesion Laser Therapy
Port wine stains, purple growths, birthmarks and Rosacea can a source of discourse for people who are concerned with noticeable blemishes on the face. Instead of having to endure the embarrassment for a lifetime, there are effective facial and skin treatments which can alleviate these problems in an instant.

Vascular lesion laser therapy is one of the most effective ways to fight back. With laser therapy a special light moves through the skin and is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the contaminated vessel. The extreme heat from the laser causes the vein to collapse and disappear. These lasers are precise enough to target the exact vessel without affecting surrounding tissue.

During the five to ten minute procedure, the patient will likely feel a sensation much like the snapping of a rubber elastic being popped against the skin. Although discomfort is mild, topical numbing creams are sometimes applied prior to the process. Cold compresses are also used to dull the pain.

Subcutaneous Injections
The aging process can take a toll on the face. Luckily, there are facial and skin treatments to wipe out fine lines, frown lines, wrinkles, crow's feet and other age-related defects. Subcutaneous injections deliver treatment directly to the point of contention through a fine-needle, restoring a youthful, carefree appearance to the face.

Restylane, Collagen and Botox® are three solutions that provide similar results and can often be confused. While the treatments are all effective in battling the age process, they each are derived from different sources. Because the agents may have similar effects on treating trouble spots, it becomes a personal choice regarding which procedure you favor. They are all administered through a fine-needle and how long the benefits last vary from procedure to procedure.

Restylane Injections
Restylane is a derma filler used to plump up the skin and combat that sagging look, restoring the skin to a youthful appearance. The age-defying effects of Restylane can be attributed to the use of hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the body.

Hyaluronic acid adds volume and fullness to the skin. Restylane is comprised of Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid, a substance that is not derived from animal protein and safely interacts with the body's own hyaluronic acid. This clear gel maintains its form by relying on the body's moisture and keeps the face looking fuller and younger for months on end.

Depending on how many areas are being treated, Restylane injections usually take between five to thirty minutes. Using an ultra-fine needle, Restylane is injected directly into the area being treated. The small needle minimizes pain. In some cases a topical anesthetic is applied prior to treatment. For lip therapy, a local anesthesia is usually given.

Collagen Treatments
Collagen treatments, such as CosmoDerm® and CosmoPlast®, provide instant gratification and are a proven way to eradicate deep lines from the face.
This derma filler corrects imperfections by smoothing skin, plumping lips, and filling wrinkles and scars. Overall, it grants a younger look deplete of characteristics that tack years onto your appearance.

One of the benefits of collagen is that it's mixed with lidocaine, an anesthetic which relieves pain. Patients also have the option of receiving a topical anesthetic, although the injections are virtually pain-free.

Collagen injections usually take between 20 minutes to an hour. For optimal results, the treatment should be administered two to three times a year.
Over time, the collagen is absorbed in the body and the face returns to its original shape, which is why follow-up procedures are encouraged for maintaining a youthful appearance for an extended period.

Botox® Injections
Botox is a diluted form of botulinum toxin type A, the nerve toxin that causes botulism, a severe and sometimes fatal case of food poisoning. Because such a minimal amount of Botox is used in treatments, there is no risk of contracting the disease. Among the people who have received Botox injections, they are viewed as an effective tool in staving off the aging process.

Botox® Cosmetic is the agent used to treat an array of cosmetic problems. Botox works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine which tells the muscles to contract. By weakening the muscles, the skin over the muscle relaxes and softens, thereby causing the wrinkles to disappear. By paralyzing the muscles, it prevents the formation of frown lines and worry lines. When the muscles are at rest, the face has a smoother, more relaxed appearance.

Botox® Cosmetic is injected directly into the muscles through a series of pricks. Treatments usually take more than 10 minutes and patients can return to their normal routine immediately following the procedure. The effects of the treatment may be noticeable within a few hours or at the very latest a couple of days.