Want to rejuvenate your skin and banish blemishes but are afraid of going under the knife? Today there is a variety of new alternatives to invasive cosmetic surgery. With great results and no incisions necessary, facial treatments like laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion are gaining popularity among men and women.

Laser Skin Resurfacing -

Laser resurfacing can treat a huge array of problems ... removing unsightly scars, spider veins, wrinkles, discoloration, and acne.

The type of laser used will depend on the particular treatment sought, but the basic process uses beams of light to remove the outer dermal. A new, undamaged and blemish-free complexion will be revealed.

Sessions can last anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours, depending on the size of the treatment area and extent of the damage being treated. Most patients will have to make repeat visits for optimal results. It is most often used on the face, but also works well on other common problem areas of the body like the thighs.

Although highly effective and able to treat a wide variety of problems, the recovery period for laser skin resurfacing can be a nuisance. The treated areas will be dressed for a few days and once removed, the area will have to be protected with Vaseline until fully healed ten to twenty days later. Even after twenty days, skin might remain red for anywhere from two to six months afterwards, especially for fair individuals.

Fortunately, the pain level is minimal, usually equivalent to that of mild sunburn with some dryness and peeling. If you're looking for a milder treatment with less downtime, you might consider microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion -

During a microdermabrasion treatment an instrument that resembles a wand is massaged over the area, using any one of a variety of materials including zinc oxide or organic particles. The topmost dermal layer is abraded off.

What results is the removal of fine lines, blemishes, mild sun damage, acne, and some discoloration. Afterwards you're left with a new, undamaged layer of skin that can be penetrated more easily by topical moisturizers and creams. Initially the area may be irritable or red, but this usually disappears a few hours afterwards.

Microdermabrasion works best when used fairly regularly. By receiving repeated treatments, deeper dermal flaws might eventually be removed or diminished, and it will promote the process of new cell growth, giving skin a refreshed appearance.

There are also machines and creams that are available for home use. These are effective to some extent, but as you would expect, they are not nearly as powerful as the equipment available in a cosmetic surgeon's office.

Most people aren't born with a flawless complexion, and the effects of time and harmful elements can mark your skin with permanent blemishes. A good skincare regime is paramount in maintaining a healthy glow, but for those imperfections you can't reach with topical lotions and creams, laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion are both winning options.