6 Ways to Get Beautiful During Your Lunch Hour

It's amazing what you can get done in an hour! These quick doctor's office treatments will have you back at work looking brighter, younger, slimmer, and more refreshed. By Gina Way

Lunchtime Tune-up
Revive your complexion

The treatment: LED facial
What it does: An LED treatment-often tacked on to a medical facial-involves sitting in front of a bank of light-emitting diodes (low-level lights) for 35 seconds. As Star Trek-y as it sounds, it really works, insists New York dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler. "LEDs have amazing anti-inflammatory benefits to decrease redness, rosacea, and irregular pigmentation." (It's a derm secret for getting rid of a sunburn.)
Time commitment: An LED treatment itself lasts 35 seconds; medical facials are about an hour.
Maintenance: One or two times a week for eight weeks, then once-a-month follow-ups as needed.
Cost: Medical facials run $100 to $500. Solo LED is $100 to $150 per session.

The treatment: Low-energy fractionated laser resurfacing (Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel re:fine)
What it does: "This type of laser works on a shorter, more superficial wavelength to resurface and smooth skin texture and reduce discoloration. It also penetrates deep enough to stimulate some collagen production," explains Washington, D.C. dermatologist Dr. Melda Isaac. "It's perfect for someone in her 20s or 30s who doesn't have a lot of wrinkling or sun damage." Says Wexler: "Consider it a light laser peel."
Time commitment: 15 minutes.
Maintenance: Recommended seasonally (four times a year).
Cost: $250 to $500 per session.

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Zap dark spots

The treatment: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
What it does: IPL pulses the skin with a range of light wavelengths that target red and brown discoloration. If you have dark skin or significant freckling, however, skip IPL at lunch. "Any light energy that zones in on melanin can make brown spots turn much darker before they eventually peel off, and it can trigger pigmentation problems in darker skin types," says Dr. Ellen Marmur, vice chair of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at NYC's Mount Sinai Medical Center. In most cases, your skin will be slightly pink for only a few minutes afterward. "I have people come in once a month for a lunchtime IPL treatment," says Washington, D.C. dermatologist Dr. Tina Alster, "because it improves blotchiness and redness, and brightens the skin in general."
Time commitment: 15 to 30 minutes.
Maintenance: An initial series of three to five treatments, followed by touch-ups every year.
Cost: $300 to $500 per session.

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Get an eye-, face-, or neck-lift Lunchtime Tune-ups

The treatment: Radiofrequency (Pellevé, Thermage)
What it does: "Radiofrequency goes beneath the skin's surface and works by heating the dermal layer to tighten and build collagen," says Marmur. "This causes collagen fibers to contract instantly-like wool tights that shrink up in a hot dryer-and produces a controlled injury that stimulates collagen production. I love Pellevé to tighten and lift the delicate skin around the eyes and shrink bags underneath, and to firm the laugh-line and jowl area. And it feels like a warm massage." Thermage, which is stronger and penetrates deeper into the skin, isn't a pain deal-breaker, either. "New Thermage units use lower energy, so you don't need pain medication," insists Alster.
Time commitment: 20 to 60 minutes (depending on the area being treated).
Maintenance: Pellevé requires a series of three to five treatments; Thermage, one or two treatments.
Cost: A Pellevé series is $1,000 to $1,200; Thermage, $1,200 to $4,000.

The treatment: Ultrasound (Ulthera)
What it does: Ultrasound technology works just like radiofrequency, but its wavelengths go deeper, translating to superior lifting and tightening--but also increased pain. Some sensitive patients have compared it to childbirth! (Perhaps an exaggeration, but still ...) While some derms recommend Rx painkillers for the treatment, others say just pop an aspirin. "Half of my patients don't need any pain medication for Ulthera, or they tough it out with a couple of Extra Strength Tylenols," says Isaac. She uses the device for the upper face (from the cheekbones up) and the lower face and neck. "You'll see maximum results in three to six months [as skin heals], but you get an initial tightening right away."
Time commitment: 30 minutes for each half of the face.
Maintenance: It's a one-shot deal.
Cost: Full face is typically $3,500; half is between $1,500 and $2,500.

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Erase lines and wrinkles

The treatment: Neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
What it does: This procedure is practically a drive-through dermatologist special! "Our most common treatments are injectable toxins or fillers," says Alster. Neuromodulators like Botox block receptors at the junction between the nerves and the muscles to relax them, resulting in an unfurrowed brow and vanishing crow's-feet. You can take 10 years off your face in 10 minutes. Note: Even if you skip the numbing cream (most toxin diehards do), be sure to add in a few minutes to take off your makeup and put it back on again. And pack a good concealer-some people do bruise.
Time commitment: 10 to 15 minutes.
Maintenance: Touch up in three to six months when you notice lines returning.
Cost: $300 to $750, depending on size of area treated.

To learn how to erase wrinkles, firm up flab, and more, check out MarieClaire.com.

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