Skincare Tips and Local Experts That Will Help You Rejuvenate Your Look in 2024

After a notorious Boston winter, spring brings nothing less than sweet relief. The Esplanade becomes a parade of runners and dog walkers, and restaurant patios become sites of fresh air and flavor. This return of spring is always well accompanied by elevated self-care and personal enhancement—so if you’re looking for the cosmetic improvement that’s right for you, read on for our guide to the best procedures for the season.

Trending in Toothcare

Here’s what’s popular in cosmetic dentistry for 2024

A smile is never out of style—that’s why dentists integrate the newest technology into their practices each year, helping patients achieve radiant looks with lasting impressions. From minimally invasive approaches to customized care, here’s what teeth treatments are trending in 2024 to attain—and maintain—those shiny pearly whites.

Teeth Whitening

Discolored teeth—often caused by decay, consumption of caffeine, or health issues—can create discomfort and insecurity. This phenomenon has led many people to purchase packs of whitening strips, which typically feature a one-size strip that might unevenly distribute whitening gel across a person’s smile. To create a bright white effect, and effectively whiten the unique shape of each person’s smile, providers are opting for custom teeth-whitening trays, which are specifically catered to each patient’s mouth. This treatment is deeply individualized; dentists use scans of a patient’s jaw and 3D printing to create the trays. With these technological advancements, aesthetic teeth-whitening is a much faster process than ever before—delivering confident smiles quickly.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are a great treatment option for a variety of dental concerns: discolored teeth, crooked teeth, damaged teeth, and more. Veneers can also mend the various aches, pains, and discomforts that these conditions cause—making them the right choice for many patients to feel healthier and more confident.

Typically, veneers require removing a layer of the patient’s natural teeth, so that the mouth has room for the new veneer. However, thanks to minimally invasive techniques, dentists can apply veneers without reducing a patient’s teeth. And in some practices, the design can even become interactive; projections of your veneers are available before they’re built, so patients can play an active role in detailing the look of their future smile. In all, these updates give veneers a custom, natural look that provides a nearly immediate relief to dental concerns.

Gum Contouring

Excess gum tissue, which some people are born with or develop through health problems, can lead to insecurity about one’s smile. A person’s gums might cover a large portion of their teeth, making their smile appear smaller, asymmetrical or “gummy.” Others, by contrast, experience gum recession, which is often a symptom of gum disease or poor dental hygiene—and, which can be dangerous, as roots of the teeth are exposed. Luckily, gum contouring procedures can be tailored to address either of these conditions, whether cosmetically or medically motivated. During a gum contouring procedure, a doctor reshapes your gum line to deliver a symmetrical and balanced finish, restoring your smile.

 Spring Refresh

Tips for perfecting your skin after a rough Boston winter

As anyone in Boston can tell you, we come out of each winter ready for spring. Our skin, on the other hand? Not as much. During those brisk months, the harsh New England cold takes a toll on our skin, drying it out and leaving it in desperate need of a little TLC. As you prepare for the upcoming season, don’t leave your skin behind. From exfoliating chemical peels to rejuvenating injectables, here are a few ways to give your skin a spring refresh.

Chemical Peels

Designed to remove the damaged, outer layers of your skin, a chemical peel can be composed of different acids, depending on your skin’s needs and goals. Whatever depth of peel is right for you, this treatment can improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, balance out discoloration, and address other imperfections—so you’ll look refreshed as you feel.

Injectables

Feeling like winter has weighed down your skin? With injectable options, you’ll feel immediate relief—and see near-immediate results. Dermal fillers are an example of these quick, effective treatments: They plump your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and volumize your face with a smooth and youthful look. For more preventative care, Botox injections can help control fine lines and wrinkles as you age, and could increase your skin’s collagen and elasticity.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

Where microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive technique that has the smoothing effect of sandpaper, dermabrasion is a surgical practice that more intensely treats textural irregularities in your skin. Whichever you choose, you’ll see a reprieve from skin discoloration, texture issues, and scars—and feel more confident this spring.

Microneedling

For many people, microneedling achieves the best of both worlds: It’s an effective procedure, minimally invasive, and can be done multiple times to reach the desired effect. With very thin needles that poke holes in the top layer of your skin and go deeper than microdermabrasion, microneedling can address skin concerns that begin beneath the surface—like acne scars, discoloration, loose skin, textural issues, and more. It’s also a great treatment for certain medical concerns in other areas of the body, like hyper-sweating or hair loss.

Laser Resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing is designed to reduce the appearance of aging and does so through removing the outermost layers of your skin to reach the underlying skin layers, promoting collagen production and improving tone and texture. Because it typically requires only one treatment, this approach can feel intense: Your treated skin might feel sensitive or swollen for a few hours after, but with appropriate care, you’ll notice long-lasting improvement as your skin heals.

Morpheus 8

Morpheus8, one of the most popular skincare procedures of the last few years, combines the microneedling technique with radiofrequency technology of laser treatments—which, in turn, creates a powerful result. Through a small needle, charged with radiofrequency energy, Morpheus8 penetrates the skin’s layers and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which promote the appearance of soft, smooth, and youthful skin. Results are noticed as early as a few days after treatment but continue to improve for three months.

Five Questions to Consider at a Cosmetic Procedure Consultation

For any elective cosmetic procedure—dental, skincare-focused, or other—the most important thing is that you’ve established trust with your provider.

Going into a consultation with an idea of what your goals are helps your provider determine a plan that’s right for you. And by playing an active role in that process, patients know what to expect from their procedure. To make sure your expectations are reasonable and that the procedure you’re signing on for will help achieve your aesthetic goals, open communication with your doctor is key. Here are five key questions to keep in mind during your consultation to make sure you and your provider are on the same page, and that they’re the right choice for your procedure.

1. How many times has the provider performed the procedure you want—and do they offer before-and-after photos of patients who look similar to you?

2. Is the provider being honest about what’s possible through this procedure, or are they making promises that don’t seem possible?

3. Have they walked you through the procedure’s timeline, its potential risks, and the recovery process? Are they transparent with this information?

4. Does the facility feel clean and comfortable? Is it appropriately accredited?

5. Are you comfortable with this provider—and would you be comfortable asking them questions, or sharing your medical history with them?

Resource Guide

Boston Center for Plastic Surgery

Boston Center for Plastic Surgery is home to Boston’s most sought-after plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists. With over 35 years of experience, it is proud to offer comprehensive facial and body surgical and non-surgical aesthetic services under one roof. Located conveniently in both Brookline and Boston. | Boston; 617-564-0887 | Brookline, MA; 617-564-3832 | bostoncenterforplasticsurgery.com | Instagram: @bostoncenterforplasticsurgery

Brookline Progressive Dental Team

Brookline Progressive Dental Team is a group of highly skilled, board-certified prosthodontists who specialize in restoring oral aesthetics and function. They are proud of the personalized, patient-directed care they offer to restore your appearance and oral health. | Brookline, MA; 617-232-8113 | brooklinedentalteam.com | Instagram: @brookline-progressive-dental-team

Jeannie Chung Plastic Surgery and Skin Rejuvenation

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. With her years of experience, she has developed countless long-term relationships based on transparency and trust. | Wellesley, MA; Facebook: @drjeanniechung 

Newton Dental Associates

Dr. Anna Berik created the Berik Acceleration Method (BAMTM) for her Invisalign patients. BAMTM reduces treatment time from 12-18 months to as little as three months. As the country’s leading Invisalign providers, Newtown Dental Associates will ensure you can have your dream smile in just a few months. | Newton, MA; 617-965-0060 | newtondentalassociates.com | Instagram: @newtondentalassociates | Facebook: @newtondentalassociates

Plastic Surgery of Southern New England

A tailor. For your birthday suit.™️ Doctor Russell Babbitt is a board-certified plastic surgeon who offers safe, expert aesthetic surgery in a body-positive environment. | Fall River, MA; 508-567-3202 | drbabbitt.com | Instagram: @therealplasticsurgeon