Laser facial rejuvenation has the amazing ability to correct a number of signs of aging, including dull skin, fine wrinkles, dark eye circles, age spots, as well as any other cosmetic defects not necessarily related to aging. The American Academy of Dermatology says that laser facial rejuvenation will not stop the hands of time from ticking, but is can provide satisfactory results for those who maintain realistic expectations. However, while it does provide a lot of good, there are still a number of side effects and complications to be aware of, including irritated skin for hours and even days, changes in skin tone – either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation), further acne breakouts, milia, scarring, burning, and even possible herpes break out. Not to mention laser facial rejuvenation is a very costly procedure. Here are three possible alternatives to laser facial rejuvenation – chemical peel, microdermabrasion, and exfoliation.

Chemical peels resurface the skin and should only be done by a professional dermatologist. They will apply chemicals to your skin, which causes it to blister and then peel off. It is not very painful and you will probably only experience a kind of warm sensation for five to ten minutes after the chemical is applied to the skin. Chemical peels remove any dead skin along the outer layer to reveal a much brighter and fresher complexion. Depending on how strong the chemical peel is, you may need some medication (topical or oral) as well as a few hours rest after. It is a great procedure and much less expensive than laser facial rejuvenation.

Like chemical peels, microdermabrasion can only be done by a professional dermatologist even though it is not as harsh to the skin as laser facial rejuvenation. Professionals use a small device on your skin to blow very fine crystals on the skin, thereby polishing the surface. A small vacuum like machine is then used to remove all the crystals as well as all dead skin cells. This results in a professional exfoliation that removes any unclogged pores. There are microdermabrasion kits that can be purchased over the counter as a more cost effective option, but they will not yield the same results as a professional procedure.

One last alternative is exfoliation. Exfoliation helps to remove the dead skin cells that build up in pores and clog them, causing a dull complexion. It is extremely easy for anyone to exfoliate their own skin and remove the dead skin cells while promoting new skin growth. Many of the top health and beauty brands sell exfoliation cleansers at all local drugstores. You should exfoliate your skin twice a day – in the morning and in the evening – for best results. For those with really clogged pores and skin problems, microdermabrasion would be the next step.

There is one more alternative to laser facial rejuvenation but it is much more costly and involves more possible risks and complications – a surgical face lift. Many women (and even men) opt for this route if looking for a permanent solution. However, before going down this route, it is best to look at other alternatives first.