Six Cutting-Edge Cosmetic Treatments You Can Do on Your Lunch Break

Image by Emily Sotomayor

With New Year’s resolution season upon us, thoughts shift to the changes we’d like to make. Ditching the cigarettes. Leaving a soul-sucking job. Getting into a groove at the gym. Finally eating a few salads. Or maybe you’ve been imagining some external changes this year—improvements that can’t be made on the treadmill or purchased in the beauty aisle (hey, no judgments here). If that’s the case, you’re in luck. Cosmetic procedures are advancing faster than you can make an appointment with your dermatologist, and Boston clinicians are rolling out new cutting-edge treatments all the time. If you’re searching for a subtle change in 2017, look to these minimally invasive face and body enhancers, all available locally. We promise we won’t tell a soul.

So You Want to…

Plump Your Pout

Try: Pucker Up, an injection that gives thin lips a boost.

How It Works: This proprietary procedure from local nurse practitioners Alexa Nicholls Costa and Alexandra Rogers uses dermal fillers—you choose among three levels—to subtly enhance the natural shape of your mouth. Depending on which option you select, you’ll keep your Kylie Jenner–lite kisser for as long as 12 months.

Where to Get It: LexRx.

$700; 268 Newbury St., Boston, 857-452-1501; 15 Post Office Sq., Lynnfield, 857-452-1501; lexrx.co.

Zap Wrinkles

Try: Halo, a skin-rejuvenating treatment that can produce results in as little as one session.

How It Works: Using a double-laser system, with one ray targeting your topmost layer of skin and another penetrating down to the bottom, Halo aims to erase years of sun exposure and skin damage in a matter of minutes, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, shrinking pores, and leaving behind a healthy-looking glow—ideally for years to come.

Where to Get It: Boston Dermatology and Laser Center.

Price upon request; 30 Lancaster St., Boston, 617-722-4100, bostondermandlaser.com.

Freshen Your Face—at Home

Try: Mesolyft, a DIY treatment that promises to brighten, tighten, and smooth the skin.

How It Works: Developed by Boston-based physician assistant Masha Banar, this product line uses a process called micro-needling—tiny pricks that amplify skin treatments without pain—to slough off dead cells and send healing solutions deeper into the epidermis. Just pump serum onto the MesoLyft device, press it onto the desired area—lips, eyes, face, or neck—and roll six times in each direction nightly.

Where to Get It: No travel required here—just order online and stash in your medicine cabinet.

$90; mesolyft.com.

Sparkle, Not Sweat

Try: MiraDry, an FDA-approved device that makes sweat stains a thing of the past.

How It Works: During the hourlong appointment, a clinician will press the device against your armpits, sending microwave energy deep beneath the skin to eliminate some of the sweat glands in that area. (Don’t worry, its developers say you don’t need them.) After treatment, MiraDry’s manufacturer promises up to an 82 percent reduction in perspiration that lasts for at least a year, and potentially forever.

Where to Get It: SkinCare Physicians.

Price upon request; 1244 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-731-1600, skincarephysicians.net.

Tighten Up

Try: SculpSure, a non-surgical fat-reduction system.

How It Works: Westford-based Cynosure developed this six-pack-shaping shortcut, which uses light to destroy fat cells in problem areas, namely the belly and waistline. After the 25-minute procedure is over, the body absorbs and flushes out the damaged tissues, leaving the treated area tighter and more toned in six to 12 weeks. Destroyed fat cells won’t regenerate, so your new physique should be permanent—if you embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Where to Get It: Mass General’s Dermatology Laser and Cosmetic Center.

Starting at $750 (plus $150 consultation); 50 Staniford St., Boston, 617-724-6960, massgeneral.org.

Give Your Backside a Boost

Try: Thread Lift, a minimally invasive way to fight the effects of gravity on your bottom.

How It Works: It may not require going under the knife, but this procedure could still make you wince. Sutures are inserted beneath the skin, where they gently pull up on soft tissues to create a subtle lift that lasts for at least six months. Thread Lift can also target the face, breasts, and thighs (if you feel so inclined).

Where to Get It: Dr. Joseph Russo will begin offering the treatments this year.

Price upon request; 575 Boylston St., Newton Centre, 617-963-0770, josepharussomd.com.