Every way to improve your looks, with the evidence behind it, how long it takes and whether you need a prescription.
Ways to improve and what each one does. Evidence: Strong means large trials or medical consensus, Moderate means smaller studies, Weak means early or mixed results. Rx means you need a prescription.
Prevents the sun damage behind most wrinkles, spots and uneven tone.
Speeds skin turnover: clears acne, smooths texture, softens fine lines.
A gentler retinoid for acne and clogged pores.
Calms redness, treats acne and fades dark marks.
Gets inside pores to clear blackheads and oil.
Evens tone, reduces oiliness and supports the skin barrier.
Treats severe acne, often for good, after one course.
Tiny punctures trigger repair, which improves acne scars and texture.
Slows hair loss and regrows some hair. Expect a shed at first.
Blocks the hormone (DHT) behind male hair loss and stops it in most men.
Clears dandruff and may slightly help thinning hair.
The fastest visible change you can make.
Shows your jawline and cheekbones and tightens your whole look.
Builds shoulders and back for a V-taper and better posture.
Keeps and builds muscle while you lean out.
More strength and muscle when paired with training.
Less puffiness and fewer dark circles, plus better recovery.
Easy fat loss, and it doesn't eat into your recovery.
Frames the face and makes it look more defined.
Brightens your smile with dentist or approved peroxide strips.
Straightens teeth and can improve how your lips and profile sit.
The right frame balances your face shape.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some are well-studied skincare ingredients or prescription drugs. Others are injectable “research chemicals” that aren't approved for people, often with unknown purity. Ascend doesn't share doses or sources for unapproved peptides. Talk to a doctor before taking anything, and if you're under 18, skip anything prescribed or injected.
Claimed to firm skin and help repair. Evidence is mostly lab work and small studies.
May soften fine lines. The trials are small and often industry-funded.
Modest gains in skin hydration and elasticity in reviews. Quality varies by brand.
Strong weight loss. Side effects include nausea and muscle loss without enough protein and training.
Claimed to speed healing and recovery. Evidence comes from animal studies only, and the FDA has flagged BPC-157 as a safety concern.
Claimed to increase growth hormone for fat loss and skin. There's little human evidence, and risks include water retention and higher blood sugar.
An injectable tanning drug. It's linked to new or changing moles and nausea, and health agencies warn against it.