In 2006, we embarked on a journey to establish a realm where anyone could access honest reviews, view genuine before and after images, and interact with qualified physicians. Now RealSelf has reached 15 years – and numerous changes have occurred since our initiation. This month, we’re reflecting on industry trends that have molded our present position and future direction. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey throughout the years. To commemorate our 15th anniversary, we’re offering more than $25,000 in rewards. Click here to participate in the sweepstakes.
Some matters are more favorable when they are straightforward, with fewer alternatives. We likely don't require such a multitude of new iPhone editions, items on The Cheesecake Factory menu, or nail polish options. However, the medical aesthetics category is one where we embrace all the innovation and new implements we can obtain – and the 2010s were a significant decade for this.
We’re looking back at 10 of the most discussed treatments of today that were nonexistent when RealSelf began in 2006. If science persists at this pace, by 2030, we’ll all possess six-packs, infant-like skin, and have no need for deodorant.
1. Xeomin
Worth It Rating: 97%
Initially, there was Botox, followed by Dysport, and in 2010, Xeomin entered the FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A club. (Jeuveau, the latest neuromodulator, received approval in early 2019.) Similar to the other injectable toxins, Xeomin temporarily immobilizes the muscles to smooth wrinkles, but its distinctive feature is that it lacks stabilizing proteins and thus doesn't demand refrigeration before opening.
2. CoolSculpting
Worth It Rating: 74%
With over 5,000 reviews from RealSelf users, the fat-freezing body contouring treatment has become a well-known name at present; yet the noninvasive device was only FDA-approved for fat reduction in the flanks in 2010. (Clearance for the abdomen, back, bra bulge, under-buttocks, and upper arms followed later.) The procedure, which typically demands two to three sessions and can reduce fat in the treatment area by 14.7% to 28.5% as per an independent study, has a Worth It Rating of 81%.
Related: CoolSculpting vs. Emsculpt: What’s The Difference?
3. Clear + Brilliant
Worth It Rating: 64%
Often described as “baby” Fraxel, the Clear + Brilliant laser, which gained FDA approval in 2011, utilizes fractional technology to address fine lines, minimize pores, enhance skin tone and texture, and diminish the appearance of melasma. It treats only 20% of the skin, making it ideal for those desiring gentle rejuvenation rather than correction.
4. miraDry
Worth It Rating: 77%
Individuals with excessive underarm perspiration received favorable news in 2011, when the FDA sanctioned miraDry for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis. The device employs thermal energy to heat and destroy sweat glands, which can reduce sweat by approximately 80% and odor by 90% in the best-case scenario. Most people observe results immediately or within a few days and require only one treatment.
5. PicoSure
Worth It Rating: 97%
In 2012, the PicoSure laser device received FDA clearance for the elimination of tattoos and benign pigmented lesions. It operates over multiple sessions by using controlled pulses of light to break down ink in the skin and cause fading. And at 15.5 mm, the PicoSure’s treatment-spot size is nearly four times larger than that of others in the market, making it suitable for those who made, well, more significant errors.
6. Juvéderm injectable dermal fillers
Worth It Rating: 91%
Although Juvéderm initially obtained FDA approval in 2006, the brand’s current collection of five hyaluronic acid–based dermal fillers did not exist before 2010. Here’s how the timeline unfolds for the highly popular injectables.
2010: XC, for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds
2013: Voluma XC, for volume loss in the cheeks
2015: Ultra XC, for lip augmentation
2016: Volbella XC, for lips and lines around the mouth
2017: Vollure XC, for facial wrinkles and folds
Related: Which Fillers Work Best Where? Dermatologists Break It Down
7. Vampire Facial
Worth It Rating: 87%
Technically, platelet-rich plasma therapy has been in existence since the 1970s and has been utilized for various medical purposes since then, but in all practicality, the Vampire Facial made its appearance in 2013. That was the year when Kim Kardashian introduced the world to the bloody treatment, which combines microneedling with PRP application, on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and propelled it to immense popularity. Now, seven years later, the reality star is suing Charles Runels, an Alabama doctor who trademarked the name Vampire Facial two months before the show aired, for using her likeness to promote the procedure. Truly messy.
8. Kybella
Worth It Rating: 54%
When it received FDA approval in 2015, Kybella generated excitement among providers and consumers – a first-of-its-kind fat-dissolving injectable specifically for the double chin, sounded like a miraculous solution. It's not without its drawbacks (multiple sessions are necessary, swelling can be severe, and results vary significantly) and liposuction remains the benchmark, but it was a revolutionary change in the noninvasive sector.
9. Cellfina
Worth It Rating: 58%
Cellfina, a minimally invasive treatment for cellulite reduction, was approved by the FDA in 2015 for use on the thighs and buttocks. During the procedure, your doctor inserts a microblade beneath the top layer of the skin to break apart the bands of fibers that cause dimpling. Since cellulite is partly genetic, it's notoriously difficult to eliminate, but Cellfina targets the root cause and is regarded as more effective than most other treatments.
10. Emsculpt
Worth It Rating: 80%
Emsculpt, the electromagnetic energy device that's just over a year old, is one of the most talked-about treatments in the market – and it's evident why. One 30-minute session induces nearly 20,000 muscle contractions, providing you with an intense muscle-toning and fat-burning exercise without any effort on your part. Emsculpt can be utilized on the buttocks, abs and obliques, biceps, triceps, thighs, and calves, and it works optimally on those who are already relatively fit.
