Are Popular Dermatological Procedures Worth the Cost?
Dermatological procedures are often criticized due to their high cost. Indeed, spending thousands of dollars on a single procedure is simply out of the question for many patients, particularly with the skyrocketing costs of gas, food, and energy. However, one may also argue that just a few procedures now can put off wrinkling, loss of firmness, and reduce incurred sun damage, which all adds up to greater skin (and less cosmetic costs) down the road. According to the July 2008 issue of Vogue, here’s how some of the most popular procedures measure up:
- Thermage ($2500-3500 per session) firms sagging skin in as little as 1 session.
- Titan ($1000-2500 per session) firms sagging skin in 3-6 sessions.
- Fraxel ($1600 per session) can refine poor size and skin texture in 1 session, and collagen levels can be boosted in 2-3 sessions.
So what do you think? Do you think dermatological procedures are worth the cost? Let me know! And remember, one post = one entry in the Spin Lash giveaway July 8 2008! 
I have heard really bad things about Fraxel. There are women on the Melasma skincare board who had their Melasma get worse after Fraxel. There are women who reported that they never had Melasma before Fraxel. I do not have a personal experience with Fraxel. Even if I could afford it I don’t think I would have it done, just too expensive.
Comment by Pam | June 25, 2008
Aside from the expense of most of the procedures, finding a dermatologist who is truly trained in these areas, and has had practice is difficult. I do not live in large city, or even close to a large city. Finding a licensed dermatologist who can perform these procedures for me is another expense that would mean travel, lodging and all the expenses associated with it. For those reasons, at this time these procedures are not cost effective for me, no matter how young I look.
Comment by Kimme S | June 25, 2008
I recently underwent the Fraxel Re:Pair procedure (very different from the Fraxel Re:Store, which is much more common) at a cost of $5,000, and I would not hesitate to do it again. I have seen fabulous improvements in texture, tone, pore size, and elasticity. Love, love, love it!
Comment by allie | June 25, 2008
I have not reached the age where I would find these procedures necessary so prevention is my number one priority. That is, quality sun protection, knowing how to de-stress, etc. I think as long as the procedure is non-invasive and virtually risk-free, an effective treatment is worth the cost.
Comment by Jianping He | June 25, 2008
I don’t know…if the procedures really work, I guess it is worth the cost…I mean, 3500 or how much more for a facelift? And facelifts always look a little weird, no matter how well they’re done. Then again, I’m dubious as to a laser being able to really tighten sagging skin…maybe it could help to increase collagen production, by stimulating the deeper levels of skin, but actually tighten skin? From what I’ve heard, the results are pretty minimum. Refine skin texture and shrink pore size, as well as boost collagen production-that seems more logical with a laser, and so that can be worth the price. I mean, women are spending $300 for a cream, and that can only penetrate the first few layers of skin, so I doubt it can really affect pore size or texture that much, much less boost collagen production.
Comment by watada | June 26, 2008
Do I think dermatological procedures are worth the cost? Hm. Depends on the proof of efficacy. Botox has proven results,so yeah. The three listed here I’m not personally familiar with and the cost is so high, so right now, no.
Now, plastic and cosmetic surgeries and procedures very often are worth the high cost associated with them. IMO, those results are more permanent, where as injections wear off over time.
Comment by Christine | June 26, 2008
Last year I spent something like $1000 on three treatments of Aluma, a collagen-building “laser” that uses radiowaves (I know I’m oversimplifying this
), and I noticed absolutely no difference in the treated areas. As Christine said above, everyone gets results from injections– I would be more inclined to spend money on them than on laser treatments that may be ineffective or cause harm.
Comment by megan | June 29, 2008
My best friend was planning to have Fraxel to treat her cystic acne scars. The laser surgeon discouraged it, saying that she didn’t like the results as well as other lasers. She used a YAG laser on my friend. It required a few days at home due to redness, peeling; but the results are amazing! Her pitted scars are 75% better, and the more shallow ones are gone. She’s 7 weeks out, and will continue to improve for 6 months. An added benefit: it tightens the skin as well!
I had cutera laser on the broken caps on my face 6 weekss ago. It made no diffference at all! I was told it could take 1 to 3 sessions at 300.00 each. If I had seen some improvement, I would be more apt to spend the $$$ again, but I’m worried that it will be a waste of money!
I also had injections in my spider veins on my legs. It was 350.00 and and I had to buy a 60.00 pair of compression hose. I had to wear those torture instruments every day for 6 weeks. It’s been 7 weeks now, and there’s been no visible improvment at all!! I’m so disappointed that I spent 750.00 total for nothing! The doctor I went is an expert who teaches laser procedures to derm. students at a med school!
I really feel that the whole laser market is a bit over hyped. The less invasive laser/IPL procedures give minimal results per session, so they end up being very expensive. The customer will be disappointed if they have high expectation from reading hype in beauty mags.
A co-worker had Thermage; she was in her late 50’s. It was 2500.00 and I had to really focus on her face to detect any difference pre vs. post. She was happy, and that’s all that counts, but I doubt that she looked any different to other folks.
Overall, I’m skeptical unless it’s a deeper laser which requires recovery time!
Comment by Shay | July 6, 2008