There are two kinds of patients: those that like to get ahead with their skincare concerns and those that address issues as they arise. Both have their merits, of course. Getting ahead might feel like you won’t have to spend as much down the line to reverse concerns—an upstream approach, if you will. Addressing in-the-moment might make more sense if you think there’s no need to solve problems that don’t even exist yet.
The right answer, as usual, is not so black and white. Just as people rarely fall into “two kinds,” treatment approaches similarly don’t work in dichotomies. We’re here to tell you that both prevention and correction work together to create results.
Prevention, despite how it sounds, doesn’t mean you won’t deal with any skin concerns ever. It just sets you up for success by delaying onset so that the correction can come a little later. Although correction is postponeable, it’s not avoidable. Even if it does take a little longer to notice the effects, because skin will inevitably change, correction is a necessary piece of the puzzle.
How Does Prevention Work in Cosmetics?
Prevention in non-surgical cosmetics can involve skin resurfacing technology, injectables, and everything around and in between. Some folks opt for comprehensive treatments like microneedling, Forma, and customized facials without having a particular concern they’re looking to address.
Such treatments work well in the “prevention realm” because they can help promote cell turnover before the cell cycle slows down. This means they help skin renew itself faster. The controlled stimulation from treatments like microneedling and Forma can also support your collagen and elastin production before it naturally reduces in quality.
The active ingredients used in customized facials can, similarly, support your skin barrier for better results down the line. These are good for maintenance in between more intense procedures (since those can’t be done as frequently).
Neurotoxin is another treatment that can be used preventatively. “Preventative Botox,” as it’s more widely known, is a whole other discussion to be had. Suffice it to say that under the right circumstances, it can be wise to start Botox before the formation of deeper lines and wrinkles.
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Does Prevention Actually Save Money?
Prevention can save you money down the line! Having a solid skin foundation makes cosmetic treatments work more efficiently. Device protocols can be less intense, and procedures can be spaced out more if they’re functioning in maintenance mode.
Think of it as getting a running start before going uphill; you’ll use less energy because you’re building on your momentum. If you invest a little into preventative skincare, you can save the big bucks of correcting stubborn concerns (made so by the effects of time).
If you’re having trouble figuring out what constitutes a “preventative” treatment, a good indicator is that it addresses a diverse array of concerns. If you’re interested in the upstream approach, these types of procedures are a good place to start.
What Makes Corrective Treatments Different?
The next, and more common, approach to maintaining your skin is correction. Corrective treatments cover everything under the sun, including prevention-esque treatments like microneedling and Forma. This is because all non-surgical cosmetic devices are made with a goal in mind.
However, some treatments only work as correction. For example, light therapies need contrast to function. Whether you’re looking for hair removal or addressing hyperpigmentation, you need to come in with a concern in mind that the laser can address. You can’t expect much of a result on a hairless treatment area or an even complexion, for example.in
In sum, all preventative treatments are corrective, but not all corrective treatments are preventative.
How to Maximize Your Corrective Treatment Results
You can save money with corrective treatments by prolonging your results. This generally involves the help of preventative approaches while you recover.
Supplementary facials or complementary procedures are a great way to keep the good skin coming. Think of following up your laser treatment with Botox or getting a customized facial before your filler appointment.
Good skincare at home is also critical to improving results. Whether you’re using products to support your recovery from the more intense procedures or you’re dutifully using your actives before your appointment to support your skin barrier, in-clinic treatments work so much better when you do your homework.
The final consideration for maximizing your corrective treatment results is consistency. Make sure you’re coming in for your follow-up procedures on time and you book the recommended number of treatments required to see results.
There’s nothing worse than putting in the work in the beginning, only to lose your progress by not staying the course.
Kick Off with Our Advanced Skin Treatment Program
Treatment packages can be a great place to start if you’re having trouble juggling the benefits of preventative and corrective treatments. We designed our Advanced Treatment Program to support you by curating (and discounting) bundles of our best offerings for broad skin concerns.
The Clarity Program
The Clarity Program improves skin tone and boosts hydration with 3 MOXI or BBL (light therapy) treatments to reduce pigmentation and vascularity and a facial for skin barrier support.
The Renewal Program
The Renewal Program smooths texture and boosts radiance with HALO Tribrid skin resurfacing as well as a JetPeel facial.
Lift, Rejuvenate, and Restore
Lift, Rejuvenate, and Restore addresses skin laxity with collagen stimulation and tightening technology. Sofwave firms the face and neck, while MOXI or BBL targets complexion.
Comprehensive Transformation
Comprehensive Transformation is as it sounds. The program combines skin tightening and resurfacing technology to address stubborn lines and textural irregularities.
Personalizing Treatment to Suit You
Combining prevention and correction is a delicate balance that looks different for all patients. Some might lean more heavily on preventative treatments, while others might sway in the corrective direction.
If you’re not sure what makes the most sense for you, it can help to consult with a professional. They can support you in identifying the features you’d like to maintain vs. the concerns you’d like to address for a more personalized skin game plan.
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