Skin Rejuvenation and Skin Care
Your skin is made up of millions of living cells. Everyday, thousands of cells are replaced by cells formed below their surface. As we age, the process of cell replacement becomes slower. Some factors that accelerate the skin aging process are: environmental conditions, especially sun exposure, dust, and smog; unhealthy habits, such as smoking, improper diet, and vitamin deficiencies; as well as stress; hormonal conditions; pregnancy or menopause; and finally, your own genetic make up.
Before & After Photos
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Age 65- Face lift, neck. cheek. brow. TCA peel, injection to lips and Septo-Rhinoplasty. |
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Before |
After 3 months |
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Skin rejuvenation may combine several different procedures that help the skin shed layers of damaged cells and expose a new rejuvenated layer of skin. Procedures range from a light exfoliating treatment, such as microdermabrasion, light glycolic peel, and no downtime Photo Rejuvenation to more aggressive chemical peels, dermabrasion and Co2 laser resurfacing. The new layer is more even in color and texture, with fewer fine lines and wrinkles. Skin rejuvenation procedures are not limited to the face and neck area. Some of these treatments can also be used for the hands, arms, upper chest, and back. The end result is a healthier, more youthful, and refreshed appearance.
Depending on the type of procedure, time away from work can range from
none to two weeks. Outdoor activity may be limited for several weeks,
depending on the depth of skin rejuvenating procedure performed. With
any of these procedures, skin cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, proper
diet and exercise are all important to keep your skin looking healthy
and refreshed.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are used to improve superficial wrinkles, blotchy pigmentation,
and other signs of sun damage. They are also helpful in treating superficial
scars, and can improve some pigmentary problems. A chemical with varying
degrees of concentration is applied to the skin, which removes the top
layer (of skin), leaving the patient with a sunburned appearance. Ointments
and lotions are used to keep the skin moist and no bandages are necessary.
The skin will usually peel within 5-7 days, and make-up can then be subtly
applied. The chemicals with the lightest strengths are Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
(AHA’s) such as glycolic acid, while Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
and Phenol are two of the stronger chemicals used for chemical peels.
A single treatment may be all that is necessary to give your skin a fresher,
healthier appearance and glow. In some cases, the chemical can be applied
to just the area needed (such as crow’s feet). In most cases, no
anesthesia is needed, and you will feel only a tingling or mild stinging
sensation when the solution is applied. Recovery will vary with the depth
of the peel, and is typically completed within several days.
Dermabrasion
A small spinning wheel with a roughened surface is used to abrade the
skin, removing the upper layers. More powerful than a chemical peel, dermabrasion
is often the best choice for treating acne facial scars and deeper wrinkles,
especially on the lip area.
Laser Resurfacing
The effects of laser resurfacing are similar to chemical peels and dermabrasion,
except that the laser removes layers of skin by vaporization instead of
chemicals or a sanding device. Laser resurfacing of the face removes the
top layer of skin and tightens the undersurface. This procedure takes
about an hour under IVsedation. Healing usually takes a couple of weeks.
These days, the CO2 laser has become less popular because of its tendency
to depigment skin permanently in up to 40% of the cases.
Fine Wrinkles and Blemishes
With virtually no downtime, our Intensive Skin Management Program (ISMP) combines topical cosmeceuticals, microdermabrasion, and Palomar Intense Pulse Light (IPL) to achieve remarkable improvement in skin texture, evenness, and freshness.
Fine wrinkles begin to appear in our thirties and are often the result
of excessive sun exposure, which breaks down the collagen and elastin
in our skin. Continued facial movement such as frowning or squinting also
tends to develop permanent expression lines or wrinkles in the face. Chemical
peels are typically performed to improve fine wrinkles over the forehead,
above the eyelids, and around the mouth and cheeks, and can also restore
scarred or blemished facial skin. If one wishes for no down time, the Intense
Pulse Light treatment can produce a very nice improvement to skin texture.
For a personal and confidential consultation with computer imaging, call the Clinique of Plastic Surgery at (727) 592-0991 or (800) 767-9166 to schedule your appointment today!
As with any medical procedure, certain inherent risks should be discussed. Costs vary depending upon the extent of the surgery and areas treated. Please contact Dr. Drehsen and the Clinique of Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.
