A Stanford University study showed that a new light-based treatment, created by one of the largest laser manufacturers in the world, was actually able to alter participants’ skin on a molecular level – making them appear up to 11 years younger than their actual age. This is the latest in an amazing array of anti-aging breakthroughs that are available in the skin care marketplace. Over the past several years, high-tech procedures have revolutionized the ways we can treat the aging concerns of our clients to help them chieve a more youthful appearance.IPL Photofacial – With the use of intense pulse light (IPL), photofacials can treat many signs of aging, including sun spots and fine lines. This procedure requires the use of an IPL device which uses a special hand piece to deliver precise amounts of pulsed light energy to the skin’s dermal layer to target unwanted pigment and stimulate collagen production. This treatment can also be used to treat acne-prone skin and to reduce the appearance of redness associated with rosacea. Depending upon the treatment area (the areas most often treated are the face, neck and chest), the procedure can take between 15 and 45 minutes. It is a non-invasive procedure that requires virtually no downtime for clients. In most cases, three to five treatments are needed to achieve the best results.

Fractional Skin Rejuvenation – This treatment can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scars and stretch marks. Fractional Skin Rejuvemation is performed by using a laser device with a fractionalized hand piece that splits the laser beam into thousands of tiny microbeams. Light energy from the microbeams targets and coagulates a fraction of the skin while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. This stimulates the skin’s natural healing process to develop new collagen and elastin for younger-looking skin. The benefit of using the microbeam approach, as opposed to other laser resurfacing methods, is a shortened recovery time. In most cases, there is virtually no downtime following the fractional laser procedure. The treatment process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete, and three to five treatments are often needed for optimal results.
Microneedling – This skin rejuvenation treatment offers an alternative to fractional laser treatments. Using a precision-controlled hand piece, the skin is treated with hundreds of tiny microneedles that painlessly penetrate the dermis. Similar to the fractional laser, microneedling jumpstarts the skin’s natural healing process to create new collagen and elastin. Additionally, the needling creates pathways that allow you to infuse topical skin treatments, including anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid moisturizers. Four to six treatments are recommended for the best results.
Nonsurgical Skin Tightening – Such advanced technology is not limited to lines and wrinkles; there are also non-invasive ways to tighten sagging skin. One of the best methods is radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening. This is a procedure that is designed to contract and stimulate collagen production to create a firmer appearance. By using a cosmetic RF device, controlled radio waves heat the skin’s dermal layer without affecting the superficial layer. The treatment process usually takes 30 minutes to one hour – depending upon the size of the treatment area. In most cases, four to six treatments are needed to see the greatest results.

The Learning Curve
If you are interested in adding laser, IPL, radiofrequency, microneedling and other medical aesthetic services, you can learn the skills you need without a lengthy time commitment. The industry standard is two weeks of comprehensive classroom and hands-on training at an accredited facility. Regulations vary from state to state, so it is important to check with a nationally recognized training institute about the specific requirements in your state.

Introducing New Treatments to Your Clients
Some clients enjoy sticking with what they know and may be hesitant to try new treatments. It is up to you to nudge them out of their comfort zone so that they can experience the innovative techniques that can help them achieve their anti-aging goals. I always say that the best way to sell is not to sell, but to tell. For example, if you have a client who is concerned with the appearance of sun spots, tell her the story of another client of a similar age who had sun spots on her face and chest that are now gone after a few photofacial treatments. Describe the joy the client feels now when she looks in the mirror every day and sees clear, younger-looking skin.
If this sparks your client’s interest, yet she is still not convinced enough to book the service, offer her a free sample treatment. Use your photofacial device to treat a small area of her skin so she can see what the treatment looks like, feels like, and the kind of results she can expect. If she is impressed by the process and the results, she will likely book more treatments. From my experience, once clients try these treatments, they are excited to come back for more!