Wrinkles.  There they are: little reminders of every time you laughed, squinted, or worried.  Some people like them, while others hope they would show up late.  Most people think surgery is a big deal.  Not a good Tuesday for the typical person: needles, scalpels, and downtime.  That’s where non-surgical facial treatments come in: they’re quiet heroes for people who want results without surgery. Learn more information here!

Injectables are still the best.  Botulinum toxin injections relax the muscles that cause frown lines and forehead creases for a short time. If you want smoother skin, this is the way to go.  Fast, effective, and the results usually show up before your weekend plans do.  Dermal fillers, on the other hand, make cheeks, lips, and the dark hollows beneath the eyes look fuller.  The changes are small but delightful, like switching your selfie cam to high-def.

Then there is laser treatment.  You don’t leave the clinic looking like a bad guy from a comic book.  Instead, lasers can get rid of age spots, calm down redness, and start making collagen.  Even if there is some redness for a day or two, the results are hard to argue with.  It seems high-tech, yet the steps are easy to follow.

Another thing that many love is microneedling.  This treatment uses a wand with tiny needles on it to gently push the skin to heal itself.  You might say it’s like a workout for your face.  After a few sessions, people generally find that their pores are smaller, their skin is smoother, and even that their acne scars are less visible.  Adding platelet-rich plasma (often known as a “vampire facial”) can make those alterations even more noticeable, but the moniker receives more attention than the actual effects.

On the other hand, chemical peels operate by getting rid of layers of skin that are full of old skin cells.  You might seem a little flaky or reddish for a few days, depending on how strong the treatment is.  What do you get?  Skin that is fresh, bright, and smoother and clearer.

Don’t forget about radiofrequency treatments.  They use soft heat to assist lift and tighten skin that is drooping, like giving your face a pep talk.  You may think that the feeling would be worse than it is, but it’s not that bad, and it only lasts about as long as it takes to scroll through your feed.

Let’s be honest: none of this is free, but you will probably spend less time and money than you would on a full surgery.  Most of the time, the side effects are small, such swelling or redness.  Most people go back to their normal lives right away.

Of course, doing something “new” to your face can make you nervous or doubt it.  That’s normal, even for those like us who grew up trusting drugstore skin care more than fancy technology.  But these methods that don’t involve surgery are a good compromise.  You maintain your face appearing fresh but familiar, and the downtime is so short that your pals might inquire, “Did you just come back from vacation?”

Being curious and being careful go hand in hand.  Begin with a modest step.  Ask questions.  You don’t have to commit right away, and you can see what feels right with these treatments, much like dating.  Your reflection will reward you for making small changes.