Dermatologists Reveal the Cosmetic Treatments That Give You the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

We asked top dermatologists to weigh in on the treatments that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

There’s no way around it—cosmetic treatments don’t come cheap, and trying to save money via too-good-to-be-true Groupon bargains isn’t the best idea. “While these deals may be alluring, remember that most procedures can come with adverse side effects. You want to go only to reputable practices and providers that can deal with those, should they occur,” cautions Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. 

Still, it’s human nature to want to feel like you’re getting some kind of a deal. To that point, we asked top dermatologists to weigh in on the treatments that will give you the biggest bang for your buck. 

Think about the cost as more than just money spent

When choosing cosmetic procedures, “you have to consider all the variables. It’s not just money, it’s also downtime, time spent at the doctor’s office, even things like whether you’ll want to wear makeup to cover up the effects of a laser for a few weeks,” explains Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston. Of all of these, she underscores the importance of accounting for downtime. Sure, you could go in for a series of less aggressive peels or laser treatments over the course of a few months—or you could score similar, if not better, benefits by opting for one more-intense treatment.  “Sometimes just sucking it up and taking a week off so you can have a more impactful procedure will end up costing far less in the long run, in terms of both time and money,” she says.

Remember that investments don’t always pay off immediately

“Many cosmetic procedures are investments for the future. Take resurfacing lasers, for example. Your skin will look great for a few weeks afterward, but the true investment shows up six months to a year later, when you start to see the collagen-boosting effects,” says Chicago board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jordan Carqueville. If you really want to make the most of the money you’ve spent, choosing treatments that yield results both immediately and in the long term is a good way to go.

For wrinkles: injectable neuromodulators

Average cost: $550

Our experts had some differing opinions in the other categories, but this was one they unanimously agreed upon. “These injections are the quickest and easiest way to decrease wrinkles due to facial expression. They address the root cause by relaxing the muscles of facial expression,” says Dr. Chang. “Think about a cracked wall. With neuromodulators, such as Botox, you’re not just filling in the cracks but actually fixing the inner foundation of the wall, to prevent cracking in the first place.” 

Other major pros? The effects are super-predictable and easily replicated. “Neuromodulators do what you ask them to do, which I think is very important when you’re talking about getting good bang for your buck. You know they’re going to work,” says Dr. Hirsch. And finally, while their effects are fairly instantaneous (typically kicking in within one to two weeks and lasting three to four months), there can be a long-term benefit too. With consistent upkeep over the course of several years, you may eventually end up needing fewer total units and being able to go longer in between injections, points out Dr. Carqueville.

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For discoloration: Fraxel Dual

Average cost: $1,600

“This moderate energy resurfacing laser fades pigmentation by replacing the old photodamaged skin with underlying fresh cells. You’ll see a brighter, more even skin tone within two weeks of treatment,” says Dr. Chang.  Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York, is also a fan of the multitasking laser. She points out that, because it delivers two different wavelengths, it helps improve not only brown discoloration but also rough skin texture, as well as fine lines and wrinkles.  It is a nonablative option, meaning you’ll likely need several treatments for the full results. Dr. Hirsch says, on average, most patients need three. (However, she adds that this is best reserved for people with normal to moderate amounts of sun damage. For significantly discolored, sun-damaged skin, she recommends an ablative CO2 laser) The other benefit you get with a Fraxel Dual? “It also creates micro-channels in the skin that will help increase the absorption and efficacy of good skin-care ingredients, such as retinoids,” notes Dr. Carqueville.

For sagging/laxity: facial liposuction or facelift or RF microneedling

Average cost: $3,025; $12,275; $800

This largely depends on the particular area where your skin is sagging. For jowling on the neck, which Dr. Hirsch says is the most common sagging complaint among her patients, she says liposuction is the best choice. The techniques used today are precise and controlled, resulting in phenomenal outcomes: “I’ve never met anyone who isn’t thrilled with the results,” she says. If the laxity is concentrated in the midface/cheeks, Dr. Hirsch says she strongly advises patients to at least meet with a surgeon to discuss a facelift. “Non-surgical tightening options, such as radiofrequency and ultrasound, do exist, but there are enough people who don’t respond well to these, so you can’t guarantee that you’re going to be getting your money’s worth,” she explains.

Dr. Waldorf also underscores the importance of exploring surgical options: “I stress to patients that if their skin laxity is more advanced, the price of multiple treatments may add up to that of a surgical lifting procedure.  I suggest those patients consider consulting a plastic surgeon to explore their options prior to starting noninvasive therapies,” she says. That being said, Dr. Hirsch says she favors radiofrequency over ultrasound; Dr. Waldorf likes both, though with the caveat that treatments begin early, when skin laxity is just starting. 


For sagging skin on the neck, Dr. Carqueville says RF microneedling is her favorite procedure. “I find that it’s one of the only effective ways to treat the neck. You’re not ablating the delicate skin, but you’re still able to deliver the energy into the deeper layers, to get a tightening effect,” she says.

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For rough, uneven skin texture: in-office chemical peel or CO2 ablative laser

Average cost: $375; $2,750

“People pooh-pooh chemical peels, but they really do give you great bang for your buck. You’re not going to spend anything close to what you would on a device, but they are still a great way to improve skin texture,” says Dr. Hirsch. The caveat: It needs to be more of a heavy-hitting peel, such as a TCA or a Jessner’s. Milder options, such as AHA and BHA peels, are good for maintenance but not correction, she says. So keep in mind that there will be some downtime—up to a week’s worth.

Speaking of heavy hitters, Dr. Carqueville says a CO2 resurfacing laser is “the best laser in the world and the most effective for any kind of skin retexturizing.” It can quickly knock out all kinds of textural irregularities, from acne scars to crepiness. It packs a punch, so you will need (at least) a week of downtime, but she says that most people can get away with doing only one per year, if not every other year.