THESE ALTERNATIVE ANTI-AGING FACIALS KEEP THE NEED FOR BOTOX AT BAY
CryoFacial
ICEBOX CRYOTHERAPY
What to expect: You’ll lie down on a massage table in a relaxing, dimly lit room as the cryotech (the cryotherapy version of an esthetician) uses a vacuum-esque hose to waft cold nitrogen vapors (-256 F, to be exact) across your face, neck, décolleté, scalp and hands for about 12 minutes. It feels soothing until just before the 10-minute mark when your frozen visage is ready for warmth again. It’s the fastest facial ever, but boasts major skin benefits for any age, including stimulating collagen growth, tightening, killing bacteria that creates acne, reducing inflammation and treating some chronic conditions, such as eczema. You’ll see the most noticeable results in a series of five treatments that are one week apart. I only went for one, but my skin felt tighter and glow-y afterwards. Cost: $50 per treatment or $200 for five
Icebox Cryotherapy
3872 Roswell Road, Suite A-2
Atlanta 30342
404.890.7066
iceboxtherapy.com
Acupuncture Facial
ACUPUNCTURE ATLANTA
What to expect: Guys and gals over 40 will benefit the most from this two-hour service that utilizes the tiniest of acupuncture needles to stimulate circulation and increase blood flow to the face, improve muscle tone and reduce under-eye bags and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. The number of needles varies from person to person, but you can expect around 20 in the face, ears and neck, and 14 in the body, too, to benefit overall wellness. Once they are in, you’ll relax on the massage table for 30 minutes or so under a silver Mylar blanket with the room’s otherwise glaring lights off. The only visible result I saw after one treatment was, unfortunately, a slight bruise on my lip. That said, the acupuncturist recommends a series of 13 over the course of 10 weeks for the best results. Cost: $150 per session
Acupuncture Atlanta
455 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 222
Atlanta 30305
404.233.5080
acuatlanta.com
Microcurrent Facial
INSTITUT’ DERMED
What to expect: Though it’s a medspa, you’ll feel more like you’re at a spa than a medical office with soft blankies, a knee pillow, dimmed lights and soothing music. The esthetician begins the 60-minute treatment with a luxurious facial cleanse before hooking you up to the high-tech microcurrent machine’s electrodes (similar to an EKG machine). The applicators use a low electric current to stimulate muscles and treat fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. It doesn’t hurt, but you’ll feel a tingling sensation, and some facial muscles may twitch. To gain the full benefit, around eight weekly sessions are recommended, as well as a maintenance treatment every three or four months. I felt very relaxed but didn’t see any immediate skin results post one service. Cost: $100 per treatment or $700 for eight
Institut’ Dermed
3726 Roswell Road
Atlanta, 30342
404.261.5199
idermed.com
AGELESS PRODUCTS
Two unique, out of the jar options
Patch Test
Turn that frown upside down with Frownies Facial Patches that work to reduce the appearance of fine lines around your forehead, mouth and eyes. Simply apply the non-toxic adhesive strips on top of your wrinkles and leave them on overnight for three to five nights to see smoothing results for fine lines, or leave them on longer for deeper wrinkles. Frownies Facial Patches, $20
Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans
3220 Paces Ferry Place
Atlanta 30305
404.848.0047
carterbarnes.com
From the Inside Out
It’s no secret that good lifestyle habits help slow the aging process. Here’s one more for your toolkit: a beauty supplement. Lumity pumps up its morning and nighttime regimen’s easily absorbable soft gels with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids that are specifically crafted for your skin’s benefit, including repairing oxidative damage and increasing cell renewal. Lumity, $115 (four-week supply)
Dermatology Consultants
2045 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 200
Atlanta 30309
404.351.7546
dermatologyconsultants.org
STORY: Karina Antenucci
