The Ultimate Guide to Skin Rejuvenation After 60: Lasers, Fillers, and What Really Works

Web5In your 60s: what really works (without surgery)

By our 60s, many of us notice a softer jawline, fine‑to‑deep lines, hollowing through the cheeks and under‑eyes, and uneven colour or texture. The good news: you don’t have to choose between “do nothing” and surgery. This guide maps common age‑related concerns to proven, non‑surgical options—listed with the well‑known brands you’ll actually see on clinic menus—plus region notes and what to expect.

How to use this guide

  • Find your main concern(s).

  • Scan the treatment options and brands.

  • Use the “Quick plan” and “6‑month pathways” to discuss with a qualified clinician.

  • Approvals and brand availability vary by country; follow local regulations and your clinician’s advice.

Soft jawline and neck laxity (mild–moderate “jowls”)

What it is (briefly): As collagen and elastin loosen and deeper support thins, the jawline can blur and early jowls appear.

Best‑results options & brands

  • Strongest change without surgery (tiny entry points, local anaesthetic): AccuTite / FaceTite (InMode). One session tightens under the skin for clearer jawline/under‑chin; often paired with Morpheus8 to refine the surface.

  • Least downtime lift: Ultrasound platforms— Ultherapy or Sofwave. Subtle lift for brow, under‑chin and neck; results build over 3–6 months.

  • Tightening + texture together: RF microneedling— Morpheus8 (InMode), Genius (Lutronic), Potenza (Cynosure), Secret RF (Cutera). 2–3 sessions typical; helps with mild laxity, crêpiness and pores.

  • If etched lines + moderate laxity: Micro‑coring— ellacor (Cytrellis). Removes tiny cores of skin to smooth and tighten; more downtime. Not suited to darker complexions.

Region notes

  • Ultrasound (Sofwave/Ultherapy) is widely available in US/Canada/UK/EU/Australia.

  • AccuTite/FaceTite are physician‑only; availability varies by region.

  • ellacor is mostly in the US.

Quick plan

  • Month 0: Choose your main lift— AccuTite/FaceTite for maximum change, or Sofwave/Ultherapy for minimal downtime.

  • Month 2: Add RF microneedling (e.g., Morpheus8 or Genius).

  • Month 4–6: If needed, add a biostimulator (see “Hollows/deflation”) or a small HA filler for contour; optional light fractional laser to polish.

Two 6‑month pathways

Skin of colour (deeper complexions)

  • Prefer RF microneedling with gentle settings and an experienced clinician.

  • Ultrasound (Sofwave/Ultherapy) is generally safe across skin tones.

  • Avoid aggressive CO₂ unless advised by a very experienced team.

  • ellacor is not for darker complexions.

What to expect

  • Downtime: Ultrasound ~none; RF microneedling 1–4 days; AccuTite/FaceTite a long weekend to 1–2 weeks; ellacor several days+.

  • How long it lasts: Tightening peaks by 3–6 months and often holds 1–2 years with maintenance.

  • Operator matters: Results depend heavily on the person treating you.

Deep lines and etched wrinkles (especially around mouth/cheeks)

What it is (briefly): Repeated movement and collagen loss etch lines into the skin so they remain even at rest—often around the upper lip, mouth corners, and cheeks.

Best‑results options & brands

Quick plan

  • If you want the most change and accept downtime: choose a CO₂ or deep Er:YAG session.

  • If you prefer less downtime: plan a series of hybrid/non‑ablative passes and top up through the year.

Two 6‑month pathways

Downtime decoder

  • CO₂ and deep Er:YAG = strongest smoothing, longest healing.

  • Hybrid/non‑ablative = lighter refresh with 1–5 days of visible redness/peel.

Skin of colour

  • Aim for conservative, staged plans with non‑ablative settings first.

  • Aggressive CO₂ needs extra caution and expert care.

What to expect

  • Downtime: CO₂/Er:YAG about 5–14 days; hybrid/non‑ablative about 1–5 days.

  • How long it lasts: Improves over 3–6 months; many maintain with lighter sessions 2–3×/year.

Hollows and deflation (temples, mid‑cheek, under‑eyes)

What it is (briefly): Fat pads shrink and bone changes, so the face can look flatter, with shadows under the eyes and at the temples/cheeks.

Best‑results options & brands

  • Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler families (soft, adjustable, reversible): Juvéderm (Voluma, Volux, Vollure, Volbella), Restylane (Contour, Lyft, Defyne, Kysse, Eyelight), RHA Collection (region‑dependent), Belotero, Revanesse. Under‑eye options vary by country; in the US, Volbella XC and Eyelight are common on‑label choices.

  • Biostimulators (gradual collagen support; often paired with small HA): Sculptra (PLLA) and Radiesse (CaHA) to rebuild support over months.

Quick plan

  • Start with structure, then detail: build a collagen “base” (Sculptra or Radiesse), then add small, precise HA where light falls (tear trough, temple, mid‑cheek).

Two 6‑month pathways

  • Most change with minimal downtime:

    • Month 0: Sculptra to build a base

    • Month 1–2: Small‑volume HA finishing (tear trough/temple/mid‑cheek)

    • Month 3–4: Tone/texture boost—Fraxel Dual or LaseMD Ultra

    • Month 5–6: Expression lines tidy—Botox/Dysport

  • If hollows + etched perioral lines:

    • Month 0: Precise HA in support areas; optional light fractional (MOXI/Fraxel 1927)

    • Month 2–3: Sculptra or Radiesse for scaffold

    • Month 5–6: Optional focal CO₂ around the mouth where appropriate

Filler safety over 60

  • Choose an injector who routinely treats under‑eyes and temples.

  • Ask about cannula vs needle, ultrasound guidance, and reversal plans (hyaluronidase for HA).

What to expect

  • Downtime: usually little to none; temporary swelling/bruising 1–3 days (under‑eye swelling can last longer).

  • How long it lasts: HA about 6–18+ months (varies by area/product); biostimulators develop gradually and can last 12–24 months.

Skin of colour

  • No device‑related pigment risk from fillers; still choose experienced injectors and discuss bruise/PIH prevention.

Uneven tone, sun spots and general “dullness”

What it is (briefly): UV exposure leads to brown spots, redness and rough texture. Treating colour and texture together brings back clarity and glow.

Best‑results options & brands

Quick plan

  • Blend colour + texture: many do IPL/BBL for reds/browns, then a light fractional pass for smoothness; add a picosecond laser for stubborn spots.

Two 6‑month pathways

If you’re spot‑prone

  • Picosecond lasers excel for discrete sun spots across skin tones when settings are chosen by experienced clinicians.

What to expect

  • Downtime: IPL usually none; picosecond low; light fractional about 2–5 days of redness/peel.

  • How long it lasts: Clarity and glow build over weeks to months; maintenance every 3–6 months keeps gains.

Skin of colour

  • Choose experienced operators; favour conservative IPL settings and picosecond/1064‑nm‑style approaches.

Neck and chest crêpiness

What it is (briefly): Thin, finely wrinkled skin from sun plus collagen loss—often on the lower neck and chest.

Best‑results options & brands

Two 6‑month pathways

What to expect

  • Downtime: Ultrasound ~none; RF microneedling 1–4 days; diluted CaHA little to none; light fractional/IPL 0–5 days.

  • How long it lasts: Tightening peaks at 3–6 months; skin‑quality gains can last 12–24 months with maintenance.

Skin of colour

  • Similar guidance as face—favour conservative settings and experienced clinicians.

Fine lines from expression (crow’s feet, frown/forehead)

What it is (briefly): “Dynamic” lines from repeated muscle movement; soften the muscle to soften the crease.

Best‑results options & brands

Two 6‑month pathways

  • Most change with minimal downtime:

    • Month 0: Neuromodulator dosing (brand as advised)

    • Month 3–4: Review and adjust dose/pattern; optional light fractional around eyes (Fraxel 1927/MOXI)

    • Month 5–6: Repeat neuromodulator

  • If static (etched) eye or mouth lines too:

    • Month 0: Fractional laser focus—ProFractional/Contour TRL or conservative CO₂ where appropriate

    • Month 2–3: Neuromodulator maintenance

    • Month 5–6: Light fractional polish

Natural‑looking results tip

  • Start conservative; add more at a 2‑week review if needed.

What to expect

  • Downtime: usually none; occasional tiny marks that settle quickly.

  • How long it lasts: roughly 3–6 months on average.

Overall glow between clinic visits

What it is (briefly): At‑home maintenance to keep texture and brightness trending up between professional treatments.

Options with evidence

  • LED red‑light masks/panels: modest improvements with consistent use several times per week.

  • Daily basics: broad‑spectrum SPF, gentle exfoliation, moisturiser; retinoids if tolerated.

Two 6‑month pathways

  • Most change with minimal downtime:

    • Month 0–6: LED 3–5×/week plus skincare basics

    • Month 2–3: Add a light fractional session—LaseMD Ultra or MOXI

  • Clinic‑boosted maintenance:

What to expect

  • Downtime: none for LED; light fractional about 2–5 days if added.

  • How long it lasts: gradual, modest changes with regular use; benefits fade if you stop.

Before you book: quick checklist

  • Bring 2–3 photos from your 50s as a guide for proportion.

  • Ask which brands your clinic uses for tightening, volume and resurfacing—and why those choices suit your concerns.

  • Confirm what’s realistic in 1, 3 and 6 months, plus expected downtime for your skin.

  • Tell your clinician about blood thinners, autoimmune conditions, keloid history or pigment‑change tendency; adjust plans accordingly.

Brand directory (quick reference)

Focused ultrasound (lifting):
Ultherapy, Sofwave

RF microneedling:
Morpheus8 (InMode), Genius (Lutronic), Potenza (Cynosure), Secret RF (Cutera)

Minimally‑invasive RF tightening/lipolysis:
AccuTite, FaceTite (InMode)

Micro‑coring:
ellacor (Cytrellis)

Fractional lasers (ablative):
UltraPulse CO₂ (Lumenis), CO2RE (Candela), SmartXide Tetra “CoolPeel” (DEKA), eCO2 Plus (Lutronic), Contour TRL (Sciton), ProFractional (Sciton)

Fractional lasers (hybrid/non‑ablative):
HALO (Sciton), MOXI (Sciton), Fraxel Dual (Solta), LaseMD Ultra (Lutronic), ResurFX (Lumenis M22), Frax 1550/1940 (Candela Nordlys)

Picosecond lasers (pigment):
PicoSure Pro (Cynosure), PicoWay (Candela), PiQo4 (Lumenis), enlighten (Cutera), PicoPlus (Lutronic)

IPL / Photorejuvenation:
BBL HERO (Sciton), M22 Stellar (Lumenis), Nordlys (Candela)

HA filler families:
Juvéderm, Restylane (incl. Eyelight in some markets), RHA Collection, Belotero, Revanesse

Biostimulators:
Sculptra (PLLA), Radiesse (CaHA)

Neuromodulators:
Botox Cosmetic, Dysport/Azzalure, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify

Skin‑quality boosters:
Skinvive by Juvéderm (US), Restylane Skinboosters / Redensity 1 / Teosyal (EU/Intl), Profhilo (EU/Intl)

Muscle‑toning + RF combo:
Emface (BTL)

Microneedling (mechanical, medical):
SkinPen

Safety notes (international)

FAQs

Am I “too old” for non‑surgical treatments?

  • No. In your 60s you can still lift, firm and smooth—just set realistic goals. Deep jowls or heavy laxity may need surgery for dramatic change; many people are thrilled with layered, non‑surgical improvements over 3–6 months.

Will I look fake?

  • A conservative, layered plan—tighten first, refill only what’s missing, then refine the surface—keeps proportions natural.

How do I choose between ultrasound and RF microneedling?

  • Want the least downtime and a subtle lift? Start with Sofwave or Ultherapy.

  • Bothered by texture/pores too? RF microneedling treats both. Many clinics combine them months apart.

Which fillers make sense in our 60s?

  • Often a blend: Sculptra or Radiesse for the “scaffold,” then small amounts of HA from familiar families above to fine‑tune. Under‑eye choices vary by country; in the US, Volbella XC or Restylane Eyelight are common on‑label options when appropriate.

Are LED masks worth it?

  • They can add modest benefits if used consistently several times per week. Think of LED as maintenance, not a substitute for in‑clinic treatments.

 

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