Fresh-Faced

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: May 2, 2009

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What do you get the mom who has everything? Or the graduate, for that matter? This year, try something unique – something Mom has always secretly wanted.

Noncosmetic facial procedures are all the rage. They can treat everything from acne and wrinkles to rosacea and undesired freckles.

Although it’s not uncommon to see celebrities on television who have used some of the latest procedures and technologies, it might be surprising to learn that people in Baton Rouge have access to some of the same treatments.

Shelly Williamson Esnard, center director at Williamson Cosmetic Center, said there are plenty of options for those who want to freshen up without going under the knife.

“Most women who come in have a consultation and decide what’s best for them,” she said. “It depends on skin type. Usually, people present with different problems.”

Here are some options:

Microdermabrasion

• What it is: A procedure in which a hand-held tool “polishes” the skin, delivering a gentle abrasion.
• “It has a vacuum,” said Jennifer Davis, medical aesthetician at Williamson. “One shoots crystals out, and the other vacuums it up.”
• What it treats: Fine lines, age spots, acne scars and stretch marks. Gives an overall feeling of soft, smooth skin.
• What to expect: “It’s not relaxing, but it shouldn’t be painful, either,” Davis said. “It’s more picky than what people anticipate.”
• Frequency: Two to 12 treatments, every week.
• Price: $150 per treatment

Chemical peels

• What it is: A solution applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate production of new skin cells.
• What it treats: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, acne scars, sun-damaged skin, age spots, freckling
• What to expect: This outpatient procedure gives a warm to hot sensation, followed by some stinging. Deep peels can require anesthesia. Redness and scaling to blisters will occur, depending on level of treatment (light, medium or deep).
• Frequency: Every three weeks to several years apart
• Price: Starting at $90

Photo facial rejuvenation

• What it is: Delivery of light, or intense pulsed light, through the skin’s surface that stimulates the production of collagen.
• What it treats: Red complexion, fine wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and large pores.
• What to expect: Feels like the snap of a rubber band. Local anesthesia may be used. Postoperative pain is minimal to nonexistent.
• Frequency: Five to eight treatments, every three weeks.
• Price: $300-$400 per treatment

In addition to those treatments, there are other options like Botox, Juvéderm, Restylane and fat transfer therapies. Those range from $300 to $1,200 and are mostly fillers used to smooth out wrinkles.