GuideMed spa treatments, explainedBotox, fillers, lasers, microneedling, peels and more, side by side: research stage, FDA status, sessions and recovery →
What people try
4Botox and other wrinkle-relaxing injectionsStage 4 · Widely recommended · Prescription injection, given in clinicsBotox and similar injections are nerve-blocking medicines called neurotoxins that doctors inject to temporarily smooth wrinkles and treat muscle and other conditions.Main risk: The page's main warning is that the medicine may spread from the injection site and cause severe breathing or swallowing problems that can last months and may cause death.4Hyaluronic acid fillersStage 4 · Widely recommended · Injected in clinicsThe FDA says dermal fillers go by several names, including wrinkle fillers and lip and facial fillers.Main risk: The FDA says the most concerning risk is filler accidentally injected into a blood vessel, which can block blood flow.4Collagen-stimulating injections (Sculptra)Stage 4 · Widely recommended · Injected in clinicsSculptra is a gel filler made with poly-L-lactic acid that is injected into facial tissue.Main risk: Ice may be given before and after treatment to ease discomfort and swelling.3Red light therapyStage 3 · Large studies in people · Clinics and home devicesLow-level laser or LED therapy, called LLLT, has been described as a treatment option for hair loss (alopecia).Main risk: A review of trials in tendon and foot pain reported no adverse events.3Plasma exchange and young plasmaStage 3 · Large studies in people · Clinics and clinical trialsReplacing part of the liquid part of the blood (plasma), either with a saline and albumin mix or with plasma from young donors.2NAD+ IV and injectionsStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinics and IV wellness centersNAD+ given by drip into a vein or by injection, instead of as a pill.2Hyperbaric oxygen therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Hospitals and private clinicsHyperbaric oxygen therapy gives you pure oxygen in an enclosed space with higher than normal air pressure.Main risk: You might feel pressure in your ears, and they may pop afterward.2Stem cell therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinics, often abroad; clinical trialsStem cells are cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body and serve as a repair system.Main risk: The FDA says it has received reports of blindness, tumor formation and infections from unapproved stem cell products.2Full-body MRI scansStage 2 · Small studies in people · Private clinics, self-paidWhole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is a scan that images the whole body and is being used for cancer screening in research and commercial settings.Main risk: A review of studies found that whole-body MRI may lead to unnecessary investigations in people without symptoms.2Laser resurfacing (CO2 and fractional lasers)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasLaser resurfacing is a procedure that uses an energy-based device to improve the look and feel of skin.Main risk: Laser resurfacing can cause side effects, which are milder and less likely with nonablative methods than with ablative ones.2IPL photofacial (intense pulsed light)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasFlashes of broad-spectrum light that target brown spots and small red blood vessels from sun damage. It isn't a laser.Main risk: A review of studies found most side effects were mild and short-lived, with mild pain from treatments being common.2Microneedling (including RF microneedling)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and home rollersMicroneedling is a non-surgical treatment that has become popular for facial skin aging.Main risk: A review of studies found the most common side effects were temporary redness, scaling, burning sensation and itching.2Radiofrequency skin tightening (e.g. Thermage)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasA device heats the deeper layers of the skin with radiofrequency energy to tighten it and prompt new collagen, without breaking the surface.2Ultrasound skin lifting (Ultherapy)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasUltherapy-style microfocused ultrasound is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure widely used for skin lifting and tightening.Main risk: The treatment was moderately painful and caused short-lived redness, with or without swelling.2Chemical peelsStage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and mild home peelsChemical peels are also called chemexfoliation or derma peeling.Main risk: The FDA says peel products can cause severe chemical burns, pain, swelling, infection, skin color changes, and disfiguring scars.2PRP for skin and hair (platelet-rich plasma)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and hair clinicsA small amount of your own blood is spun to concentrate the platelets, then injected or microneedled into the skin or scalp.
Products
Sorted by the best research stage of each product's ingredients, then by price. The stage describes research on the ingredient, not proof that the product works.
Devices
What others are writing
Recent articles from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.
I Know the Evidence Against These Expensive Cancer Tests. I Still Want One for My Mother. ↗
Full-body MRI scans: An oncologist explains that whole-body MRI scans are investigational, with unclear benefit and frequent false positives for people without symptoms.
Is a Full-Body MRI Worth It? ↗
Full-body MRI scans: The article weighs the benefits and drawbacks of full-body MRI scans, including early detection, overdiagnosis, false positives and cost.
Red light therapy: What the science says ↗
Red light therapy: Stanford Medicine experts review the research on red light therapy, finding support for hair growth and skin uses but little for many other claims.
The science behind red light therapy for skin and hair : NPR ↗
Red light therapy: NPR reviews the scientific evidence behind red light therapy claims for skin, hair, and other health uses, finding some support and much hype.
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.