Plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn believes that many of the anti-aging procedures offered by doctors like him are actually a waste of money.
In his new book Younger for life – which outlines his “autojuvenation” program of healthy eating, supplements and skin care – the Michigan-based surgeon claims that, along with these three DIY cosmetic treatments, 90 percent of people will achieve the results they want without ever have to do that. set foot in a doctor’s office.
He says: ‘There’s so much you can do to turn back the clock and get the look you’ve always wanted without going under the knife.
‘But let’s start with what you can do at home. These next three DIY treatments are a must if you want to reverse your age and autojuvenate holistically.”
In his new book, Dr. Anthony Youn outlines how 90 percent of people can achieve the age-restoring results they’re looking for without going under the knife.
At-home facial masks and chemical peels work just as well as the more expensive salon alternative
Facial treatments and peels
“There are many gentle facials and at-home chemical peels that you can buy from major skin care companies,” he says.
‘These are often great for gentle exfoliation. Just make sure you stick with the major manufacturers you know and trust.”
He also advises against purchasing unknown products online, as other countries may not regulate the treatments as carefully and thoroughly as in the US, and thus may not be safe.
Alternatively, you can always consider making your own.
“Now I know that many of my dermatology colleagues are not big fans of using real food on your face due to the potential risk of irritation and the belief that vetted skincare products work much better (both of which are completely true!),” he warns .
The plastic surgeon added: ‘But a DIY routine, using the acids in fruits which can act as natural exfoliants, can still be a useful and cost-effective alternative. Fruits such as oranges, pineapple, apricots and strawberries also contain vitamin C, which can rejuvenate and fight free radicals.
“Simply mash the fruit and add a little honey, then apply to your face and relax for 20 to 30 minutes.”
Dr. Youn is a big fan of ‘creepy-looking’ red light therapy masks that are proven to improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles
LED red light therapy devices work by strengthening the mitochondria in our cells, allowing them to rejuvenate themselves and repair damage
Salon laser treatments can be expensive, while DIY procedures do the same job for much less money
Lasers and red light therapy
The most impressive of all home beauty devices are home lasers, says Dr. Youn. He explains that they typically work in exactly the same way as lasers during surgery, but with less power.
Dr. Youn writes in his book, “At-home lasers can improve acne, reduce unwanted hair, and even (allegedly) reduce unwanted fat (I’ll believe it when I see it!).”
Results vary, and devices can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
The doctor added: ‘However, this is probably still cheaper than buying a series of laser treatments from your local plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It also provides options for people who do not have access to a local doctor who performs these therapies.”
That said, they are not without their limitations. They often require many more treatments to achieve the desired result. And they can still irritate, burn or even scar, so always make sure you follow instructions carefully and only buy from a brand you trust.
However, his reservations about home lasers do not extend to home LED red light therapy devices, of which he is a big fan.
Red light is believed to work by strengthening the mitochondria in our cells, allowing them to function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves and repair damage.
In one study, 91 percent of subjects who used LED light therapy reported improved skin tone after twelve weeks, and 82 percent said their skin was smoother.
In another study, researchers treated one side of their subjects’ faces with LED light therapy and the other side with placebo-like light. After four weeks of twice-weekly treatments, there was a significant reduction in wrinkles and improvement in skin elasticity on the side of the face treated with LED light.
Dermaplaning in a salon may feel fancier, but the DIY razors work in exactly the same way
Dermaplaning
“Dermaplaning has been one of the most popular treatments in my practice since I opened it 15 years ago,” writes Dr. Youn.
‘During a dermaplaning session, the esthetician uses a special blade (it’s similar to a scalpel) to gently scrape away unwanted frizz, dry skin and other superficial surface irregularities, leaving your skin looking and feeling instantly smoother,’ he explained.
Adding: ‘This is often followed by a chemical peel at lunch (i.e. quickly, because you can do it at lunch) to exfoliate the skin.’
Most people can expect to repeat the treatment every month, at a cost of about $200 per session.
And to those who fear that shaving your facial hair will make it grow back even thicker, Dr. Youn says: ‘This is a complete misconception. The reason it may feel thicker is because the hair growing at the base of the shaft is naturally thicker than hair as it grows longer. So it may feel thicker because it’s shorter, but it’s actually not.”
An increasingly wide range of dermaplaning devices have been developed for home use, but facial shavers can do the same job, according to Dr. Youn.
“I see these treatments being demonstrated all the time on TikTok and Instagram,” he says.
‘I joke with my wife that dermaplaning is actually a fancy way to shave your face. Shaving with a sharp razor probably achieves the same thing, but is not as elegant a treatment.’
Younger for Life: Feel Great and Look Your Best with the New Science of Autojuvenation by Dr. Anthony Youn is published by Hanover Square Press