The Secret to Flawless, Hollywood-Quality Skin As You Age? Grab Your Calendar

We all know that some celebrities never seem to age, among them Paul Rudd, Pharrell, Sandra Oh, and of course, Martha Stewart. Genetics obviously play a role for anyone who ages like fine wine, but skincare experts are quick to remind us that there is often a lot happening behind closed doors in dermatologist and esthetician offices. These visits are happening on a regular basis.

“You can't just go and get a PICO laser one time and be like, ‘Everything's gone, it's fine,’” says Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Medicinals, who also happens to work with Stewart. “Celebrities... come in every six weeks religiously because they make it a priority. All of our models, supermodels... they'll build their schedule around it because they know that certain things are necessary for them to optimize how they look and how they feel.”

Those crucial appointments aren’t just about instant gratification either, says Lisa Goodman, founder of GoodSkin Clinic in New York City. Sure, plenty of people (celebrities included) embrace neuromodulators like Botox and dermal fillers but they are definitely not the end all be all for an effective “anti-aging” skincare regimen. “My approach… is a healthy aging plan [that] addresses the root problem and solves not just short-term aging, but also long-term aging. So it's really about ‘how does the short-term improvement really impact the patient for the long term?’”

Essentially, the most effective approach to “anti-aging” skincare should be preventative and proactive, with the guidance of a professional that has your long term skin health in mind.

So much of modern life revolves around getting what you want exactly when you want it, and this applies to our beauty routines as well. However, skincare professionals are noticing (and welcoming) a change in patient attitudes, especially when it comes to in-office procedures. “The shift from instant gratification treatments, like fillers, towards maintenance treatments, such as Halo, Morpheus and Ultherapy, reflects patients’ growing preference for natural-looking, long-lasting results,” explains Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, Director of Dermatology, Mohs Surgery and Laser Medicine at Shafer Clinic in Manhattan. She adds that many of her patients are now seeking treatments that both enhance their appearance and improve their skin quality over time. 

Of course, treatments that boost collagen production, tighten the skin, or stimulate and tone the facial muscles—all of which minimize the most common signs of aging—are nothing new in the beauty space, but they are rarely discussed as part of a long-term treatment plan. It’s not surprising given that the cost of these types of treatments is typically much higher than your average facial, ranging from $300 to several thousand dollars (depending on what provider you visit and where you live). Still, the experts believe that investing in these procedures will set you up for less drastic skin aging later in life, and they will help delay the signs of premature aging.

“Most treatment plans have two elements,” explains Goodman of her clinic’s services. “You're looking at the initial concern, and then you're looking at maintaining or preventing that concern from showing up again later.” This can often mean returning to your provider a few times a year depending on your goals and the recommended course of treatment.

Dr. Engelman credits the willingness of Millennials and Gen X to discuss aging and their beauty choices as the main reason behind this mindset shift, especially in comparison to the Baby Boomers. It’s now increasingly common to admit to something like biannual radiofrequency microneedling treatments without fear of judgment. Sure, celebrities will never disclose every skincare treatment they’ve explored in the pursuit of ageless skin, but more transparency from the rest of us can foster greater acceptance of the numerous approaches to aging.

“[It has] also led to more patients getting preventative and maintenance treatments at younger ages (for example, patients in their 20s getting ‘Baby Botox’ or non-invasive treatments like EMFACE) rather than waiting until they are seeing signs of aging to seek intervention,” says Dr. Engelman. This is all good news for the version of you five, 10, and 20 years from now. Remember—it’s much easier to prevent a skincare issue before it happens, rather than race to treat it once it’s already shown up. 

That’s not to say that we all need to run out and book a half dozen monthly appointments. In fact, quite the opposite. “People save money by just doing the bare minimum of what they need, but doing it consistently versus chasing it years down the line, trying to get an aggressive facelift, or this or that,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “At the end of the day, consistency [wins].” 

So if you’re staring at the eye-watering price tag on your face cream, wondering if it’s really going to do anything to soften those fine lines, it might be worth considering swapping it out for a series of rejuvenating treatments once or twice a year. Consult a trusted skincare expert for some ideas or a consultation, review your goals, and find a treatment regimen that works for you—and your budget.