Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness

This is the second post in the all-new Self-Care Series. In September, we focused on advanced skincare techniques and healing the skin from the inside out. This time, we are addressing some additional options, with RN Kelli Van Housen who is a Master Injector with nearly two decades of experience in the cosmetic/aesthetic/dermatology field. Kelli can be found working her magic at Charles Chalekson MD Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, in Templeton, CA. You asked for it so let’s talk Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness with Kelli Van Housen.

Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness

If you look in the mirror and see a combination of fine lines, stubborn brown spots, an uneven skin texture, or a lack of firmness, you’re not alone. Welcome to the club! The search for a single miracle product to address all these issues doesn’t exist. According to Kelli we need a targeted strategy. Let’s chat with Kelli and break down the most effective, evidence-based treatment,including advanced in-office procedures that specifically tackle wrinkles, pigmentation, and sagging skin so you can achieve a smoother, brighter complexion.

Finding Kelli after our move from Monterey County was a huge relief. Her skill with my routine Botox injections (for my frown lines, three times a year) is unmatched. She is by far the most proficient injector with a natural look I’ve ever used. Kelli also performed a non-ablative laser resurfacing treatment so heal time was a breeze and which surprisingly virtually painless. I plan to book my next laser treatment for this winter.

Kelli – tell us a bit about yourself and your experience in the industry.

I have a deep passion for skin health, and my approach emphasizes the significance of maintaining the skin barrier as a crucial piece for overall well-being, considering that our skin is the body’s primary defense. Originally from Sunnyvale, CA, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Jose State University in 1993 and became a Registered Nurse after passing state boards. Throughout my career, I have worked across various medical disciplines including family practice, pediatrics, cardiology, surgery, and dermatology, among others.

My expertise extends to laser and light technologies, which I have employed since 2004. My proficiency spans a range of treatments including IPL, laser hair removal, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, non-ablative resurfacing, Ultherapy, Sofwave, photodynamic therapy, and various laser systems for diverse dermatological concerns. Additionally, I am adept in PDO threads, having received training under one of the industry’s most respected Doctors and specialists.

What do you love most about your career in the aesthetic skincare industry?

For nearly two decades, I have dedicated myself to the aesthetic and dermatological aspects of nursing, specializing in neurotoxin injections such as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeveux, and Daxxify. I am also certified as an advanced injector for hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers including Radiesse, Belotero Balance, Juvéderm, Restylane, Prollenium Versa, and the RHA collection, in order to skillfully enhance natural appearances to achieve youthful results.

In this field, I love being able to address a wide array of skin conditions such as uneven tone and texture, brown spots, wrinkles, rosacea, acne scarring, and sagging skin, among others. I advocate for integrative skincare approaches, combining therapies tailored to individual needs and guiding my patients through every stage of their personalized treatment plans for optimal results.

Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness

Tell us how you determine the best treatment plan for wrinkles?

This can be a complicated question. Usually, I use a combination of the Lemperle Wrinkle Severity Scale and the Merz Scale to assess facial wrinkles and take before-treatment photos. If there are no wrinkles, the score would be 0. If there are just perceptible, fine lines with expression, the patient’s score would be a 1. Shallow wrinkles/fine wrinkles at rest with deep lines with facial expression yields a score of 2. Moderately deep/fine lines at rest, with deeper lines with facial expression, is a score of 3. Deep wrinkles and well-defined edges would be a score of 4, and very deep wrinkles with redundant folds and deep furrows at rest, results in a score of 5. I use this so that I can assess the effectiveness of injectable fillers and laser treatments to determine recommendations for each client.

Depending on the severity of the wrinkles I might choose several options. All of these treatments come with varying downtimes.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing

Erbium resurfacing series

Ellacor micro coring

Microneedling/ Erbium

Microneedling series

Dermal filler

Chemical peels series (medium – strong depth)

Botulinum toxin treatment (best for glabella, crow’s feet, forehead)

Home integrative skin care regimen including tretinoin/retinoids

Sculptra

Age zero exosomes can be added to microneedling, laser treatments, and micro coring combinations of the above treatments.

I, personally, am not a big fan of the RF Microneedling.

An in-depth consultation guides my treatment plan recommendation and schedule, and I can then tailor your procedures to your individual needs and lifestyle.

Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness

When it comes to fine lines, how do you approach your client’s concerns and what have you found to be the best option for addressing this skincare concern?

This really depends on where the fine lines are, the client’s lifestyle, and what kind of downtime they are willing to pursue. During the initial in-depth consultation is where I discuss all the options that best meet the needs of the clients goals, but also their lifestyle.

There can be several options and combinations:

Neurotoxin (Botox, Jeuveau, Daxxify, Dysport,). Neurotoxins are easy with relatively no downtime. Onset varies 2-10 days and can last 3-4 months.

Microneedling – stimulates collagen, works as a drug delivery system so adding age zero exosomes at the end of treatment will enhance results .

Fractional Erbium – this is a great treatment for the person that doesn’t want a lot of downtime. May take 3-5 treatments to achieve your particular skin goal, however with just a weekend of downtime seems doable.

Erbium – this treatment is a little stronger and penetrates deeper into the skin, thus requiring 7-10 days of downtime. Each person varies on how many treatments will achieve their skin goals.

HydraFacials are a great way to hydrate and maintain the skin barrier and help maintain laser or other more aggressive treatments.

How would you describe your approach to managing your client’s expectations paired with what’s truly possible and realistic, especially with more mature skin?

Integrative skin care is of the utmost importance. Clients not only need to maintain the recommended timeframe suggested for in-salon treatments for the best, most consistent results possible, but they must also nourish their skin between treatments. This means incorporating specific medical grade products which support the skin’s functions and overall skin health because this truly influences your outcomes and overall wellness.

Elements of integrative skin care also include nutrition (gut health), lifestyle, and mind-body therapies (meditation).

A combination of all of the above or part of the above will advance your skin goals. I find combination therapies work very well and help stimulate the different types of collagens for overall improvements, especially when it comes to mature skin. Overall, be good to yourself.

Thanks for reading Top Non-Invasive Skin Treatments for Tone, Texture, and Tightness with Kelli Van Housen. Achieving visibly healthier-looking skin isn’t about guesswork; it’s about strategic treatment selection. By understanding which therapies are best suited for wrinkles, uneven tone/texture, and skin laxity, we can hopefully move beyond simple maintenance and towards achieving healthy glowing skin. Remember, the best strategy always involves a professional consultation to tailor these options to your unique skin type and concerns. If you are local, I highly recommend Kelli and Dr. Chalekson’s office.

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You might also enjoy our first post in this series Non-Invasive Advanced Skin Treatments for Mature Skin with Aesthetician Amy Amaral.