Types of Skin Resurfacing

Sun exposure, aging, heredity, poor nutrition and smoking all contribute to facial aging. Other skin issues can include pigment changes, such as blotchiness or brown spots. These may occur with age, pregnancy, genetics or as a result of certain medications like birth control pills. Acne is another condition that can affect the skin, making the surface of the skin uneven. Injectable fillers and Botox offer great results to aid in anti-aging, but they do not have any effect on the fines lines, wrinkles and discolorations on the skin.

Lines and wrinkles are actually a part of the skin itself, which is why skin resurfacing is needed. In order to eradicate these lines, certain treatments that target the biology of the skin are going to give the best result. There is not one specific skin resurfacing technique which will fix all conditions. Patients may need a variety of procedures to achieve optimal results. The treatments and techniques utilized will vary based on each patient’s individual skin type, problems and goals. By customizing the treatment based on a patient’s individual needs, the professionals at The Skin Care Center at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery achieve outstanding results. Some of the most popular techniques for skin resurfacing are HydraFacials, microneedling, chemical peels and lasers. These non-invasive treatments provide healthier, younger-looking, evenly toned skin.

HYDRAFACIALS
A HydraFacial is a non-invasive resurfacing treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts impurities and dead skin cells. It rejuvenates the skin by replenishing it with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Results are immediate with no downtime or irritation. HydraFacials are one of the most effective skin treatments available, virtually replacing microdermabrasion. Monthly HydraFacials are one of the celebrity secrets to gorgeous skin.

CHEMICAL PEELS
During a chemical peel, a solution is used to dissolve skin cells on the skin’s outermost layer. The depth of the peel varies and depends on many factors. Depending on the skin condition being treated, a light peel may be done to brighten the skin, while a more intense peel is needed if the patient has a lot of fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels can vary from twenty minutes to around an hour for the actual process. In the days that follow, patients will experience some tightness in the treated area and finally “peeling”, where the dead skin cells flake off leaving a fresh layer of soft, unwrinkled skin. The area can be red or pink for a few days following the peel but can be camouflaged with makeup.

MICRONEEDLING
Using a specialized pen, a medical aesthetician creates tiny pricks in the skin, which cause the skin to produce more of its own collagen. This boost in collagen production results in firmer, more youthful-looking skin. This procedure can be done on a regular basis and has little done time.

LASERS
Fractional laser skin resurfacing is the most high-tech method of skin resurfacing. Fractional lasers are divided into two categories: Ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers have the most downtime, but they produce the most profound results. Both ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers use a controlled beam of laser light to vaporize the outer layers of the skin, revealing the smoother, younger-looking skin underneath.

Non-ablative lasers can be helpful for dark spots, fine wrinkles, and rosacea. This type of laser requires less downtime, but usually patients need a series of three treatments for best results. The ablative fractional laser treats the same conditions, but it goes deeper. It is a one-time treatment, but patients should expect several days of healing after treatment.

If you are seeing fine lines and wrinkles or you have been experiencing other skin issues like acne or skin discoloration, schedule a free consultation with one of our skin care experts to learn how we can help.