For many, the 30s can be a time of significant change, especially for skin. It’s the age at which some go through major life changes, such as pregnancy, while still handling other concerns, such as adult acne. “Your hormones are starting to change, and you might notice more changes—skin becomes thinner and more hyperpigmented, sometimes with broken capillaries,” says Miami board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deborah Longwill. “So all the procedures we do prevent skin from looking like that.”
As a result, the procedures get a little heftier in terms of cost and downtime, and the strategy is now less about prevention and more about early correction than it was in your 20s. The upside? Sticking with a good routine now will still pay off later. Here, dermatologists share the key treatments to consider once you hit your 30s.
1. Fraxel Dual
Whether you’re looking to address acne scarring or sun damage, Fraxel Dual can do it all. The most common Fraxel laser (of three) found in dermatology offices, it pairs two lasers in one treatment, which gives it added versatility. “The beautiful thing about the Fraxel is that you can dial into less surface area, depending on the patient,” says Dr. Longwill. “If you have acne scarring you want to address, you can dial in deeper. If you want to target large pores, you can keep it more superficial. It just depends on what you’re aiming for.”
Another advantage? While it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum for this age group, most people don’t need many sessions to see an improvement. “Unless there is significant sun damage, only one or two treatments is needed to reverse sun damage, remove age spots, and improve the health of your skin,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele S. Green.
2. Fillers
Fillers—which, true to their name, actually fill skin with volume—are worth investing in now. By including dermal fillers in your treatment, says Dr. Longwill, “you’re building on your 20s—so it’s in addition to your HydraFacials and your Botox.”
They’re a worthwhile addition at this age, she says, “since you might lose more volume in your cheeks and hollowing around the eyes.” On top of that, your neuromodulators might need to expand to other areas as well; if you’ve gotten them to address “11” lines in the past, for instance, then it may be time to tackle crow’s-feet too.
3. Microneedling
The magic of microneedling is that it can address multiple concerns in one comprehensive treatment. “Microneedling can help with [improving] fine lines, tightening your pores, and stimulating collagen,” says Dr. Longwill. “It’s all about making your skin stay healthier so it appears more youthful.”
To up the ante, it’s possible to include PRP, or platelet-rich plasma. This is extracted from your own blood and is rich in reparative growth factors, which can help rejuvenate skin once returned to it via microneedling. “It will accomplish all of the above, there’s no downtime, and it’s a comfortable procedure,” says Dr. Green. “Only three treatments are needed, spaced one month apart, to see great results.”
4. Aquagold
Collagen becomes increasingly important—and scarce—over time. “We lose about 10% of our natural collagen by the time we turn 30,” says Dr. Green. Anything that can spur collagen production to offset that loss can help, which is where Aquagold comes in. (You may also see the treatment advertised as a Botox and filler facial.)
“Aquagold uses 24 karat gold needles, each of which is thinner than a strand of hair, to allow ingredients—a mixture of Botox, Restylane, and antioxidants—to penetrate 600 microns deep, to rejuvenate and tighten the skin,” she explains. It essentially distributes a small amount of these ingredients throughout the skin, which can impact more surface area for allover rejuvenation without downtime.
5. Thermage
In your 30s, you may start to notice sagging skin, but it’s likely too early for a facelift. Instead, consider Thermage, to restore elasticity to skin. “Thermage is a face and body skin tightening treatment that utilizes radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen formation to tighten, smooth, and contour the skin, to create an overall younger appearance,” says Dr. Green.
It works by heating the lower layer of skin (bypassing the surface entirely) to trigger a remodeling of the collagen in the area, which can offset any early signs of sagging and fine lines. Plus it’s proven to be incredibly versatile, so it can be used to address areas from head to toe—such as the under-eyes, neck, upper arms, thighs, and beyond.
