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.4Daily sunscreenStage 4 · Widely recommended · Over the counterActive ingredients are the ones that protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.Main risk: Infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash.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.4TretinoinStage 4 · Widely recommended · PrescriptionTretinoin is a retinoid medicine, a form of vitamin A acid, used on the skin for acne and fine wrinkles, and by mouth for a type of leukemia.Main risk: On the skin, tretinoin most often causes irritation such as dryness, redness, peeling, itching, burning, or stinging.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.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.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.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.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.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.2Collagen peptidesStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementCollagen peptides, also called hydrolyzed collagen, are collagen supplements taken by mouth that have been studied for skin aging.2Vitamin C serumStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over the counter (serums)Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in foods and sold as a supplement.Main risk: Too much vitamin C can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and loose stools.2RetinolStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over the counter (creams and serums)Retinol is a form of preformed vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin found in animal foods and supplements.Main risk: Too much preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects in a baby when taken during pregnancy.2AstaxanthinStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementA red pigment from algae that gives salmon and shrimp their color.
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.
Supplements
Pure Krill Oil Omega-3 - 500 mg, 60 softgelsOmega-3 fatty acids3 Ingredient research: large studies in people$18.74Astaxanthin - 12 mg, 30 capsulesAstaxanthin2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$15.95Advanced Collagen Peptides + Creatine - UnflavoredCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$24.99Astaxanthin SupplementAstaxanthin2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$25.95Doctor's Best Astaxanthin with AstaReal, 6 mg, 90 Veggie SoftgelsAstaxanthin2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$25.99Collagen Peptides - UnflavoredCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$27Pro Collagen Activator - 120 capsulesCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$28.95Collagen Peptides Advanced - with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin CCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$29.99Marine Collagen - UnflavoredCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$39Pure Collagen Peptides - 20 grams per serving, 600 gramsCollagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$39.95Tru Niagen® BeautyNR (nicotinamide riboside), Astaxanthin2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$49Collagen PlusNR (nicotinamide riboside), Collagen peptides2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$67AstaxanthinAstaxanthin2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$76.49
Skincare
UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46Daily sunscreen4 Ingredient research: widely recommended$46Mild Retinol 0.2% in Squalane for General Signs of AgingRetinol2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$8.10Anti-Aging Moderate Strength Retinol 0.5% in Squalane SerumRetinol2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$9.30Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane: Retinol-AlternativeRetinol2 Ingredient research: small studies in people$16.70
Devices
What others are writing
Recent articles from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.
Collagen Peptides: Benefits and Side Effects ↗
Collagen peptides: A Cleveland Clinic dietitian explains that collagen peptides may support skin, joints and bones, but research is mixed and results are not guaranteed.
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.
Does red-light therapy work? Here's what the science says ↗
Red light therapy: The article reviews the research on red-light therapy, finding some clinical benefits but many commercial devices falling short of their claims.
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.