GuideMed spa treatments, explainedBotox, fillers, lasers, microneedling, peels and more, side by side: research stage, FDA status, sessions and recovery →
What people try
4Botox and other wrinkle-relaxing injectionsStage 4 · Widely recommended · Prescription injection, given in clinicsBotox and similar injections are nerve-blocking medicines called neurotoxins that doctors inject to temporarily smooth wrinkles and treat muscle and other conditions.Main risk: The page's main warning is that the medicine may spread from the injection site and cause severe breathing or swallowing problems that can last months and may cause death.4Hyaluronic acid fillersStage 4 · Widely recommended · Injected in clinicsThe FDA says dermal fillers go by several names, including wrinkle fillers and lip and facial fillers.Main risk: The FDA says the most concerning risk is filler accidentally injected into a blood vessel, which can block blood flow.4Collagen-stimulating injections (Sculptra)Stage 4 · Widely recommended · Injected in clinicsSculptra is a gel filler made with poly-L-lactic acid that is injected into facial tissue.Main risk: Ice may be given before and after treatment to ease discomfort and swelling.3Red light therapyStage 3 · Large studies in people · Clinics and home devicesLow-level laser or LED therapy, called LLLT, has been described as a treatment option for hair loss (alopecia).Main risk: A review of trials in tendon and foot pain reported no adverse events.3Plasma exchange and young plasmaStage 3 · Large studies in people · Clinics and clinical trialsReplacing part of the liquid part of the blood (plasma), either with a saline and albumin mix or with plasma from young donors.2NAD+ IV and injectionsStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinics and IV wellness centersNAD+ given by drip into a vein or by injection, instead of as a pill.2Hyperbaric oxygen therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Hospitals and private clinicsHyperbaric oxygen therapy gives you pure oxygen in an enclosed space with higher than normal air pressure.Main risk: You might feel pressure in your ears, and they may pop afterward.2Stem cell therapyStage 2 · Small studies in people · Clinics, often abroad; clinical trialsStem cells are cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body and serve as a repair system.Main risk: The FDA says it has received reports of blindness, tumor formation and infections from unapproved stem cell products.2Full-body MRI scansStage 2 · Small studies in people · Private clinics, self-paidWhole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is a scan that images the whole body and is being used for cancer screening in research and commercial settings.Main risk: A review of studies found that whole-body MRI may lead to unnecessary investigations in people without symptoms.2Laser resurfacing (CO2 and fractional lasers)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasLaser resurfacing is a procedure that uses an energy-based device to improve the look and feel of skin.Main risk: Laser resurfacing can cause side effects, which are milder and less likely with nonablative methods than with ablative ones.2IPL photofacial (intense pulsed light)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasFlashes of broad-spectrum light that target brown spots and small red blood vessels from sun damage. It isn't a laser.Main risk: A review of studies found most side effects were mild and short-lived, with mild pain from treatments being common.2Microneedling (including RF microneedling)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and home rollersMicroneedling is a non-surgical treatment that has become popular for facial skin aging.Main risk: A review of studies found the most common side effects were temporary redness, scaling, burning sensation and itching.2Radiofrequency skin tightening (e.g. Thermage)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasA device heats the deeper layers of the skin with radiofrequency energy to tighten it and prompt new collagen, without breaking the surface.2Ultrasound skin lifting (Ultherapy)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists and med spasUltherapy-style microfocused ultrasound is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure widely used for skin lifting and tightening.Main risk: The treatment was moderately painful and caused short-lived redness, with or without swelling.2Chemical peelsStage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and mild home peelsChemical peels are also called chemexfoliation or derma peeling.Main risk: The FDA says peel products can cause severe chemical burns, pain, swelling, infection, skin color changes, and disfiguring scars.2PRP for skin and hair (platelet-rich plasma)Stage 2 · Small studies in people · Dermatologists, med spas and hair clinicsA small amount of your own blood is spun to concentrate the platelets, then injected or microneedled into the skin or scalp.
Products
Sorted by the best research stage of each product's ingredients, then by price. The stage describes research on the ingredient, not proof that the product works.
Devices
iHealth Track Blood Pressure MonitorHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$59.99iHealth Neo Wireless Blood Pressure MonitorHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$79.99Pro-Series Bluetooth Blood Pressure MonitorHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$79.995 Series® Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$83.99Ultraconnect WirelessHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$94.6410 Series® Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$118.99BPM ConnectHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$129.95BPM VisionHome blood pressure monitors4 This type: widely recommended$179.95Omnilux Contour FaceRed light therapy3 This type: large studies in people$395Brita™ Elite Replacement FiltersPFAS ("forever chemicals")2 This type: small studies in people$19.9910 Cup PitcherPFAS ("forever chemicals")2 This type: small studies in people$37.99Stelo Wearable Glucose BiosensorContinuous glucose monitors2 This type: small studies in people$37.99Levoit Core® 300-P Air PurifierAir pollution (outdoor and indoor)2 This type: small studies in people$89.99Helio StrapFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$99.99Filtered Water PitcherMicroplastics2 This type: small studies in people$110Fitbit Charge 6Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$159.95Dexcom G7 15 DayContinuous glucose monitors2 This type: small studies in people$192.52RingConn Gen 2 AirFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$199Sleep AnalyzerSleep trackers2 This type: small studies in people$199.95Amazfit Helio Strap ProFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$199.99Garmin Index™ S2 Smart ScaleSmart scales2 This type: small studies in people$199.99MorphoScan Nova Body Composition ScaleSmart scales2 This type: small studies in people$199.99Polar LoopFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$199.99Apple Watch SE 3Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$229Body CompSmart scales2 This type: small studies in people$229.95Airmega Mighty AP-1512HHAir pollution (outdoor and indoor)2 This type: small studies in people$239.99Hume Band 2.0Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$249Google Pixel Watch 4Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$249.99Galaxy RingFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$299.99Galaxy Watch8Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$299.99vívoactive 6Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$299.99RingConn Gen 3Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$3493-Stage Claryum® Under Sink Water FilterPFAS ("forever chemicals")2 This type: small studies in people$349.99Blue Pure 211i MaxAir pollution (outdoor and indoor)2 This type: small studies in people$349.99WHOOP MGFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$359Galaxy Watch9Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$379.99Apple Watch Series 11Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$399Oura Ring 5Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$399Ultrahuman Ring PROFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$479Body ScanSmart scales2 This type: small studies in people$499.95Venu® 4Fitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$549.99ScanWatch NovaFitness trackers: watches, bands and rings2 This type: small studies in people$599.95Eight Sleep PodSleep trackers2 This type: small studies in people$1,224
Recent research
Red light therapy and aging: what a review of past studies found
This review looks at past studies of red and near-infrared light on aging-linked conditions.
A proposed plan to tailor oxygen chamber treatment using biomarkers
The authors describe a framework for adjusting hyperbaric oxygen dosing based on body markers.
Stem cells and exosomes studied for organ aging in animals
This is a review of 34 animal studies on stem cells and exosomes.
Laser alone versus laser with ultrasound for facial skin aging in women
This is a planned small trial that is still recruiting, and no results have been posted yet.
Fruit fly study finds a gene that helps remove aging gut cells
Researchers found a protein-making gene that rises in aging fruit fly gut cells and helps them get shed.
What others are writing
Recent articles from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.
I Know the Evidence Against These Expensive Cancer Tests. I Still Want One for My Mother. ↗
Full-body MRI scans: An oncologist explains that whole-body MRI scans are investigational, with unclear benefit and frequent false positives for people without symptoms.
Is a Full-Body MRI Worth It? ↗
Full-body MRI scans: The article weighs the benefits and drawbacks of full-body MRI scans, including early detection, overdiagnosis, false positives and cost.
Red light therapy: What the science says ↗
Red light therapy: Stanford Medicine experts review the research on red light therapy, finding support for hair growth and skin uses but little for many other claims.
The science behind red light therapy for skin and hair : NPR ↗
Red light therapy: NPR reviews the scientific evidence behind red light therapy claims for skin, hair, and other health uses, finding some support and much hype.
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.