Every Aesthetic Treatment I've Tried, Rated (And the Post Procedure Routine That Got Me Through It)

No makeup. No filters. This is 8 months of showing up for my skin.

I turned 35 last November and I was done doing a full face of makeup just to feel okay staring at myself on back to back Teams calls. So I did something about it.

I'd already bought a 6 pack of IPL sessions in 2024, and I finally started using them after having Aspen in January 2025. From there I asked my aesthetician about microneedling. One rescheduled appointment led to a Black Friday upgrade I did not plan for, and that upgrade changed everything.

Since November 2025 I have tried IPL, microneedling with PRFM, sublative eye treatments, VI Peels, Fraxel laser, hydrafacial, and Neogen plasma. Yes, that is a lot. Yes, I spent real money. Here is exactly what was worth it, what wasn't, and the products that got my skin through the healing.

One thing before we get into it. If you are considering this world, find a medspa that isn't trying to sell you injections the second you walk in. I've done Botox and filler too, but that isn't what this list is about. My goal was simple: reduce how much makeup I need and actually feel good in my own skin.

The Rankings

1. IPL — The best bang for your buck.

Zero downtime. Walk in, walk out, go back to your day. IPL is the treatment I will never give up, even in maintenance mode. It targets sun damage and hyperpigmentation, evens out skin tone, and helps with redness, which is a big deal for me personally. If you only try one thing on this list, start here.

Would I spend my own money again? Every time.

2. Microneedling with PRFM — The collagen builder.

This is the treatment that started it all, and it earned its spot. PRFM stands for platelet rich fibrin matrix. They draw your blood, spin it down to isolate the platelets, then apply it to your skin so it keeps generating growth factors for days to weeks after the appointment. The result is real collagen and elastin production and noticeably better tone and texture. People started complimenting my skin after just a few sessions.

If the budget is tight, skip the PRFM add-on and do the microneedling alone. It still works. Recovery is about 5 days the first time and gets shorter with each treatment.

Would I spend my own money again? Yes, this stays in my quarterly rotation permanently.

This is me during my first microneedling treatment! I had no idea what was about to hit me in terms of the redness and tightness but ZERO regrets!

3. Neogen Plasma Treatment — The one to save up for!

If you only do one big splurge treatment in your life, look into this one. It converts nitrogen gas into plasma energy, and I got to try it during a training session at my medspa, which was the first in Missouri to offer it. Fair warning: it feels like someone lit a match on your face for an hour, smells included. Recovery runs about 10 days, but results kept improving for over a year.

This isn't ranked higher purely because of price. A typical session runs $3,000 to $5,000 depending on where you live. If you can swing it, especially while you're younger, this is the one procedure that can deliver results with a single treatment.

Would I spend my own money again? Absolutely, if the budget allows.

4. VI Peel — The DEEP reset.

This is not your typical pre-event chemical peel. It goes much deeper and targets fine lines, wrinkles, and cell turnover, so you actually want downtime after this one, not before a big night out. My skin was glowing weeks later. This is now a once a year treatment for me and it isn't wildly expensive.

Would I spend my own money again? Yes, once a year without hesitation.

5. Hydrafacial — The RESET button!

Hit or miss on its own, but incredible paired after a heavier treatment like microneedling, Neogen, or Fraxel. The lymphatic drainage portion alone makes it worth booking. I use this as recovery support, not a standalone treatment.

Would I spend my own money again? Yes, as a pairing treatment.

6. Sublative Eye Treatment — The non-surgical eye lift.

This targets under eye bags, crepey skin, and crow's feet using RF energy to build collagen deep in the dermis. I've done this three rounds in. It is uncomfortable, and the swelling the next day is dramatic. Don't plan anything for a full week. It helped, but I need more sleep and better genetics to get all the way to where I want to be. Still worth it, just don't rank it above IPL or microneedling for me.

Would I spend my own money again? Yes, but with realistic expectations.

7. Fraxel Laser — the most uncomfortable, and the one with the most range.

This is last on my list purely because of comfort, not results. Even with numbing, this one is rough, and you'll leave looking like you have skid marks across your face for a few days. But it works on scarring, pigmentation, texture, pores, and tightening all at once. I actually think Neogen does the same job with less discomfort and longer lasting results. Do not combine this with sublative eye treatments in the same appointment. I did, once. I looked like I'd been in a fight for days.

Side note on fraxel - they did my lips! Pretty unheard of, but it has brought so much plumpness back to my lips. HIGHLY REC!

Would I spend my own money again? Yes, but I'd choose Neogen first if price wasn't a factor.

The Ugly Part of Investing in Yourself

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The Ugly Part of Investing in Yourself 〰️

Now… For My Post Procedure Must-Haves!

Healing is where most people give up on themselves. Don’t be that person. These products are what I use to expedite my healing. And, reminder - my skin is soooo sensitive. These are tried and true and will help you get through the rough spots. Trust!

SkinMedica Post Procedure Repair Complex. Pricey, but it speeds up healing more than anything else on this list. This is my number one after microneedling, Fraxel, sublative, and Neogen.

EltaMD Post Procedure Approved Tinted SPF. Use this after everything except a VI Peel, which comes with its own aftercare kit and app.

!!! If you skip SPF after any of these treatments, we need to talk !!!

SkinMedica Restorative Ointment. A must for Fraxel and Neogen recovery specifically.

& since not everything needs to be a splurge - this one deserves a spot in place of the skinmedica resotrative ointment! — CeraVe Healing Ointment. The budget friendly backup that still gets the job done.

COSRX Snail Mucin. I layer this with the SkinMedica complex after microneedling and sublative eye treatments, especially by day 2 or 3.

COSRX HA Intensive or Cicaplast Baume B5. Ultra hydrating, great for microneedling healing specifically.

SkinMedica Post Repair Cream. I actually use this even when I am not recovering post procedure. This stuff is great to restore moisture and recover your skins barrier after a procedure.

A gentle moisturizer like Cetaphil. Keep it simple while your skin is recovering.

My favorite ALL TIME cleanser —> SkinMedica HA Foaming Cleanser.

Nice to haves:

• Active Skin Repair - speeds up healing. I keep this on hand always for the fam.

• An antimicrobial facial spray

• Post procedure masks. Neocutis are my favorite! It feels like a cold drink of water for skin after an intense treatment.

These aren't essential, but they make recovery so much easier.

The Bottom Line

I've spent real money and real downtime on this stuff. What I got back is a routine that lets me skip a full face of makeup most days and actually feel good doing it. If I had to start over with a limited budget, I would do IPL and microneedling first, save for Neogen when I could, and then treat everything else as optional upgrades.

Which one are you most curious about? Tell me in the comments and I'll break down the real cost and recovery time for you!