Skin Resurfacing

Aging, sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle factors including nutrition, alcohol consumption and smoking all may contribute to facial wrinkling. Pigmentary changes of the skin, such as blotchiness or brown spots, may also occur with age or as a result of birth control pills, pregnancy or genetic factors. Prior acne may have made the surface of your skin uneven. These problems, as well as certain other skin conditions, may be improved by skin resurfacing

Chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing all achieve results in basically the same way. Layers of your skin are removed and, as the healing process progresses, a new, healthier-looking skin emerges. What differentiates the various resurfacing methods is the way in which the skin's layers are removed. Chemical peels involve the application of a caustic solution, dermabrasion utilizes high-speed rotary wheel, and laser resurfacing uses a laser beam.

You may be a good candidate for skin resurfacing if you have one or more of the following conditions:

  • wrinkled or sun-damaged facial skin
  • vertical wrinkles around your mouth, such as those that cause lipstick "bleed"
  • "crow's feet" lines around your eyes and perhaps some skin laxity in your lower eyelid area
  • fine wrinkling of your upper eyelids
  • brown spots or blotchy skin coloring
  • certain precancerous skin growths
  • acne or chicken pox scars
  • superficial facial scars from a past injury

Chemical Peel

A trichloracetic acid (TCA) peel is often used for the treatment of wrinkles, pigmentary changes and skin blemishes. Many patients can benefit from having TCA applied not only on the face but also on the neck and other parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. For spot peeling of limited areas such as around the mouth or eyes, TCA formulas are often preferred because they have less bleaching effect than solutions containing phenol, another popular peeling agent. For the same reason, some surgeons have found TCA to be effective in treating darker-skinned patients.

Milder TCA peels can be repeated frequently in order to achieve cumulative effects, or TCA can be used to achieve a medium or even a deep peel, depending on the acid concentration and manner of application.

CO2 Laser

The effects of skin resurfacing using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser  are similar to those of chemical peels and dermabrasion, except that the laser removes skin layers by vaporization rather than with chemicals or a sanding device. Dr Lee is trained in the safe use of laser equipment. He  is able to specify the amount of energy transmitted to the skin's surface by the laser beam and control the depth of penetration.

Like the other resurfacing methods, the laser is effective in treating wrinkles, blotchiness or age spots, and scars from acne or other causes. It can be used on the entire face or specific areas. Certain other characteristics of your skin, such as its thickness and texture, may influence whether you are a good candidate for laser resurfacing. Some patients may benefit from the laser's mild "tightening" effect on the skin, particularly in the lower eyelid area where the skin often becomes somewhat loose as a result of aging.

 

Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

As seen on the TODAY Show, CNN, Allure and W Magazine, the FRAXEL Laser Treatment is a revolutionary procedure that allows ust to treat your skin in a way never before possible. The FRAXEL laser penetrates deeply into the skin dermis with thousands of tiny microthermal treatment zones, employing a technique called fractional photothermolysis. Fractional laser resurfacing leaves the surrounding  tissue unaffected and intact, permitting the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area was treated at once. Thus, downtime is minimal compared to more extensive resurfacing lasers such as the CO2. More importantly, many of the long term complications seen with the Carbon Dioxide laser and all skin types can be safely treated.

Clinical studies suggest 4-6 treatments spaced about a week apart produce a gradual firming of the collagen and elastin. A topical anesthetic is used prior to treatment. Laser treatment takes about 45 minutes.

Side effects are minimal. A mild sunburn sensation occurs approximately an hour after treatment. The skin has a pinkish tone for 1-3 days. This is a normal sign of healing. There is minimal swelling.

Within 24 hours, new epidermal skin begins to emerge. This process of skin repair involves flaking and bronzing. The use of sunscreen throughout the process is absolutely necessary. Optimal improvement may take 3-6 months.

 

More details regarding your skin resurfacing treatment can be discussed and planned in a personalized individualized consultation with Dr. Lee.