24 Skincare Treatments That Require Little To No Downtime

These days, there is no shortage of cosmetic procedures designed to help people maintain a youthful, glowing complexion. From laser resurfacing and chemicals peels to fillers and face lifts, there's an in-office treatment for anyone looking for stronger results beyond their usual skincare routine. However, while a great deal of these treatments are proven to be effective, they're not exactly the most convenient. A typical facelift requires a full two week recovery period, while numerous laser treatments come with at least a week of downtime before the redness and peeling skin subsides. For folks with busy schedules, this is a big no-no. 

The good news is that in recent years, there's been an increasing number of skincare treatments on the market that offer just as effective results with pretty much zero downtime involved. We've rounded up some of the very best ones below that will give you that extra confidence boost without forcing you to stay indoors for days. Just remember that any treatment comes with its own risks, and you should always to consult your doctor before undergoing any procedure.

EmFace is a relatively new treatment designed to lift and tone the face without having to undergo any super invasive needle procedures. As Professor Ali Ghanem explained to Glamour U.K., this injection alternative is a device that uses electromagnetic stimulation and radiofrequency technology via an applicator on the forehead and on both cheeks to encourage muscle contractions. That stimulates the body to produce more collagen and elastin, giving the skin a much more youthful appearance while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Usually, four to six treatments are recommended to get the very best results, with each session lasting for around 20 minutes. Per Dr. Anna Availani Cosmetic Surgery, because there's no needles penetrating the skin, there's absolutely no downtime to worry about, meaning you'll be back to work in no time!

If that sounds like something totally different to the procedures you're used to that attempt to achieve the same results, that's probably because it is. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Yael Halaas even described is to Cosmopolitan as being "the only treatment of its kind." No wonder you've probably seen it all over TikTok!

Are you an acne sufferer? If so, then you might want to give AviClear a go. This laser skincare treatment consists of three 30-minute, in office treatment sessions. Unlike many other harsher solutions to clearing up often painful acne flare-ups, it doesn't come with any downtime or a recovery period, which means patients can continue on with their day following their sessions to show off their clearing skin.

AviClear is the first and original FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of all different levels of acne. It works by using lasers to identify and then suppress the sebaceous glands under the skin, which can cause blemishes when dirt gets trapped in them. The beauty of this is it treats acne at the source without the need for topical or oral medications, which can sometimes be too harsh for the skin and come with nasty side effects. 

Board-certified nurse practitioner Jennifer Hollander explained to The Zoe Report that many experts suggest getting three treatments every four weeks in order to get the best results you can and wave goodbye to those often painful breakouts

One of the least invasive of all the treatments on our list, Dermaplaning is like a really good exfoliating session. It involves using a tiny blade (don't get too scared yet though, it's not as scary as it sounds!)  to essentially shave down dead skin cells thus resulting in smoother and brighter looking skin. A specific technique and pressure are applied during the session, which also works to gets rid of dead skin cells. 

Medical aesthetician and skin specialist Bianca Estelle is just one of the professionals who swears by the simple yet effective technique, telling Elle, "Dermaplaning can work wonders for the complexion. Not only can it appear brighter, but a build-up of dead skin cells can clog your pores and follicles resulting in breakouts meaning this treatment can aid clearer skin." And when we say there's no downtime to this one, we really mean it. Because there's no invasive element, you can head out the door and right back to your day. 

Keep in mind though that, although it's one of the simplest and most non-invasive treatments, it may not be for everyone. If you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, hypersensitive skin, or active acne, you may want to sit this one out, as it can affect hair growth. Estelle further explained to Elle that it may not be suitable for those with facial sores because the blade can trigger inflammation and scarring, as well as infection by spreading around bacteria from any sores that haven't healed.

You could blast away bad skin with BBL Hero, aka Broadband Light High Energy Rapid Output. The technology uses a high energy laser to zap away the likes of sun damage, acne, brown spots, redness, rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring, while stimulating the collagen production for an all around plumper look to the skin.  Speaking to New Beauty about the process, Plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian explained, "It contains technology advances which allow for customized delivery of high energy, at high speed — all with cooling that can keep up. The net result: outstanding results in less time, while keeping the patient comfortable." For best results, the procedure is usually done in one or two treatments, though many will see immediate skin improvement within one and two weeks after the treatment.

The treatment can be used by pretty much any adult with any skin tone, but will deliver the best results to those  experiencing pigmentation issues. You'll be able to carry on with your day post-treatment as well, because there's no downtime to worry about.

During the Vampire Facial, blood is removed from the body (usually the patient's arm), separated into plasma and platelets to create platelet-rich plasma (also known as PRP). This is then applied to athe face after a micro needling session to create punctures in the skin. According to Allure, proponents of this spookily named treatment claim that platelet-rich plasma to the skin promotes cell turnover,  which causes the body to produce more collagen and elastin.

Though there's no downtime, though board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jordan Carqueville advised to Cosmopolitan that patients should refrain from putting anything too harsh on their skin for the first 48 hours. The overall healing process for the skin could be between 48 and 72 hours for the redness to go down, during which time you need to stay out of the direct sun. No direct sunlight and blood. Now do you see how it got its name?

You may actually have already heard about this one before though, as Kim Kardashian famously underwent the procedure back in 2013 and shared the pretty jarring bloody photos on Instagram.

Hydrafacials can be used to work on a number of different skin issues. Using a Vortex-fusion system, it resurfaces and improves the skin in three stages, focusing on cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration, while leaving your face glowing by cleaning the pores. "The treatment reduces fine lines and wrinkles, increases firmness, evens tone, texture, and brown spots, as well as reducing enlarged pores," Dr. Anne Guanche told InStyle. 

One of our very favorite things about Hydrafacials though is that they can take less than 30 minutes per session (so they're pretty quick if you have a busy schedule!) They can also be customized to your skin depending on the results you're looking for, making them ideal for pretty much everyone, from those to oily, dry, combination skin as well as those with acne or sensitive skin. As for the downtime? There is literally none! You can carry on as normal right after and even put on makeup right after the treatment.

Rather than focusing on skin imperfections like many other treatments, a Microcurrent facial is more about sculpting the face and really bringing attention to its contours for a slimmer appearance. "Microcurrent is a great, non-invasive treatment to really tone, tighten, and lift the skin," celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden told The Zoe Report. Each session lasts around an hour and 20 minutes, and, as fellow aesthetician Nerys Rodriguez told Elle, it's almost like getting a workout for your face. She explained that patients will feel a current stimulate their facial muscles, with the current gradually getting stronger depending on your desired results and comfort level.

Some of the benefits include stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, while also decreasing puffiness in the face. Microcurrent facials can be done by almost everyone, but you'll want to be careful if you have any heart issues because of the way it's designed to stimulate the blood. The best part is because it's non-invasive, there's no downtime to worry about, but you're getting instant results!

Another minimally invasive treatment, Sciton HALO makes use of a hybrid laser system that applies both ablative (which removes the top layer of the epidermis) and non-ablative methods of resurfacing to the skin to stimulate the production of new collagen. It's typically used to combat a number of different skin issues, with some benefits including a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, tightening of the skin, diminished evidence of sun damage, and increased elasticity. 

The downtime you'll need after the procedure can depend on how intense your session was, though most people who have a mild treatment will be able to return to their daily activities the very next day. For the first 24 hours, though, you may notice a little swelling or a burning sensation on the skin, with the results of the treatment becoming apparent between the two and five day mark. Depending on the strength of the session, two treatments may be required to see a big difference, with annual maintenance treatments strongly encouraged.

If you're not squeamish about injections and want to achieve plump, glowy skin without a long recovery process, you may want to look into Profhilo. According to Dr. Yusra Clinic, the procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin in specific places and has similar effects to Botox, but with less chance of complications (because it doesn't actually freeze your muscles in the same way). Many who have the treatment also feel the results are more natural looking than Botox injections, as the concept involves working towards actually eliminating wrinkles rather than just filling them out. 

As for the downtime, there is none here!  However, following the procedure, you may see few small bumps where the injection took place, as Get The Gloss reported they could stay for around four to six hours after the procedure, but shouldn't be too noticeable. Dr. Yusra Clinic also recommends staying away from any activities that are too vigorous for the first 24 hours, but you should be able to get back to your day-to-day routine (minus the gym!) right after.

Fewer blemishes, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and beautifully hydrated skin are just some of the benefits Healthline reports are on offer when treating yourself to an Oxygen Facial. Per Healthline,

the idea behind this unique spa treatment is that pure oxygen can nourish and rejuvenate skin cells, helping to encourage the circulation of blood around the face.

Because this facial doesn't use any injections, it requires absolutely no downtime. So, how does it work exactly? Well the treatment actually makes use of a high pressured oxygen stream that sprays goodness like hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and anti-oxidants deep into the skin. 

The Oxygen Facial is thought to be a particular favorite of a number of celebrities too, with The Skincare Edit claiming the likes of Madonna, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake all reportedly using their own oxygen machines to get Oxygen Facials done at home. 

Easily one of the most common skincare procedures out there, Microdermabrasion addresses numerous skin issues by removing the top layer of dead and damaged skills with a special exfoliating device.  The American Academy of Dermatology Association noted the process is best known for having a brightening and smoothing effect on the skin, while also minimizing the appearance of sun damage, fine lines, and age spots. It's also been known to shrink acne blemishes and pores.

Dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby is just one medical professional who can't get enough of the simple yet effective treatment, explaining to Real Self, "Microdermabrasion has been used for well over 20 years in my practices, and it still amazes me how quick and nice the skin tone becomes after even a single treatment." Each session lasts around 30 to 40 minutes for just the face (it can also be used on the neck), and there's no recovery period. For best results, Ease Med Spa recommends one microdermabrasion treatment every two months for those who are new to the procedure, though over time, treatments can be spaced out. 

Another non-invasive skincare treatment with pretty much no downtime is the Jet Peel Facial. Unlike a traditional facial, which leaves ingredients sitting on the surface, the Jet Peel Facial technique involves using a small pen to penetrate the skin with pressurized air streams, thus allowing for cleansers and serums to get into the skin's deeper layers. Lisa Guidi, Licensed Esthetician and owner of Erase Spa, explained toByrdie that the procedure is comparable to a "lymphatic massage for the face," in that it feels pretty gentle on the skin. 

Jet Peel Facial has been found to be useful for treating a number of different skin conditions too. Healthline reported one of the biggest skin issues it's known to tackle is acne, as it's gentle enough for those who suffer breakouts to have regularly. It's also a top exfoliation technique and can combat the many tell-tale signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots. "It's good for people that have been traveling a lot, have dehydrated skin, are lacking moisture and elasticity, or just need a skin pick-me-up," Giudi shared.

Following Jet Peel Facial treatment, patients can expect to experience mild facial redness, but for the most part, this subsides after a few hours. Patients aren't required to stay inside, but they should wear a sunscreen if they plan to go outside.