When it comes to skincare, the pursuit of radiant, youthful skin is timeless. Among the many treatments available, laser treatments have become popular for those seeking effective, long-lasting results. However, like any skincare investment, laser treatments are pricy.
According to Advanced Dermatology, women spend an average of $877 per year on beauty treatments. Sixty percent wish they could spend more, and I’m one of them. So, let’s explore whether a $1,000 laser treatment is a good investment.
Let’s consider a 30-year-old woman deciding if she’d like to begin annual laser treatments to brighten her skin and prevent future aging. We’ll use the Moxi Laser for this example because it’s one of the few lasers that is safe for all skin types. Studies have shown that non-ablative lasers like the Moxi work by heating the underlying skin tissue without removing the outer layer. This stimulates collagen production and promotes skin renewal. These treatments can produce long-lasting results with regular maintenance treatments.
The Cost Breakdown
This treatment typically costs around $1,000 per session, with two to three sessions recommended initially. Our hypothetical woman would spend $3,000 up front. She would then pay an additional $1,000 every year for the next 30 years.
Opportunity Cost
So, what is her opportunity cost for choosing this treatment rather than investing those funds? If she invested the initial $3,000, and then the following $1,000 for the next 30 years instead, with a 6% rate of return, she’d finish with $101,032.15. Her $33,000 in contributions would yield $68,032.15 in interest.
That’s a lot of forfeited money for potentially better-looking skin. Because that’s the thing: lasers are still relatively new technology. The old-school ablative lasers have been around since the 1960s, but the technology we use today doesn’t have a long track record. Non-ablative lasers weren’t developed until the 1990s. Plus, this doesn’t take into account the number one tool for skincare prevention: sunscreen.
The Importance of Sunscreen
Sunscreen is considered the best tool for age prevention because it protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays from the sun can cause premature aging by breaking down collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Additionally, sunscreen helps prevent hyperpigmentation and sunspots, which can also contribute to an aged appearance. By consistently using sunscreen, you can minimize these damaging effects, maintaining a youthful and healthy complexion over time.
A Balanced Approach
My advice to our 30-year-old woman considering investing more into her beauty routine? She needs to start with a nice regimen of high-quality moisturizers, toners, exfoliants, and retinoids that are suited for her skin. Then, she should identify one or two problem areas and focus her attention on those. For example, if her neck and chest are showing premature aging but her face is not, she could consider investing in treatments only in that area.
Let’s say a neck and chest treatment was only $400 per session, she’d be looking at $1,200 upfront and then $400 every year after for 30 years. If she took the $1,800 in savings from the initial treatments and the $600/year subsequently, she’d have $60,619.29 invested and would have still targeted her treatment.
Conclusion
Unless your net worth is well into seven figures, or your appearance is a key component of your job, it’s not justifiable to spend so much money on preventative skincare. Prioritize a comprehensive skincare routine, invest in targeted treatments where necessary, and always use sunscreen. Your skin and your wallet will thank you.