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SKIN REJUVENATION
LASER RESURFACING, CHEMICAL PEELS,
DERMABRASION
All men and women will
experience some type of wrinkling, sun damage, scarring, and even pre-cancerous
skin growths at some time in their
lives. Whether it be from the hours of recreation spent in the hot, cold,
and windy weather conditions, from work-related exposure, or from the effects of
age-related changes, one’s skin, especially on the face, is very vulnerable.
It is also very difficult to hide from the view of others, which makes it an
important area of concern for people of all ages and walks of life.
Turning back the clock for the skin is in great demand. Laser resurfacing,
chemical peels, and dermabrasion are all methods for treating skin damage.
All of these modalities,
however, are for treating the skin’s surface irregularities, not for lifting
the bags and sags caused by age and gravity. The goal should always be to
improve the appearance and health of the skin rather than give one totally new
skin. If a person has extensive damage, more than one procedure may be
required.
We perform all of these
treatments in our fully-accredited, out-patient surgical facility.
Chemical peels and laser resurfacing procedures are performed under a local/IV
sedation. Dermabrasion, however, is more aggressive in nature, and general
anesthesia is preferred.
Several factors must be
considered when accessing the success of a skin treatment, such as skin type,
ethnic background, age, elasticity, and the health and habits of the individual.
Following any skin
treatment, a complete sunblock, which protects against ulta-violet A and B, and
a post skin care regimen are necessary until the skin is totally healed.
The skin is composed of the
epidermis and the dermis. Within the dermis are two layers, both of which
are constructed of collagen, long fibers that loosen and stretch with age and
sun damage. Scars result if the deepest, reticular layer, is damaged, but
the papillary or upper layer heals from injuries without scarring.
Laser Resurfacing and/or
Chemical Peels treat facial wrinkles, skin discolorations, keratoses, and some
pre-cancerous skin growths, and mild scarring. Both are used to slough off
the outer damaged layer of the epidermis and the first layer of the dermis (the
papillary or upper level) to uncover a smoother, younger-looking skin.
They also stimulate new collagen formation and increased blood flow to actually
take the skin back to a healthier, more youthful appearance.
In one to two weeks, a new skin will emerge that is pinkish in color, finer
textured, and free of many wrinkles and sun damage.
Our Advanced Skin Care
Center offers specially formulated products that aid in healing, offer total sun
protection, and allow one to get back to work and activities sooner. It
will also provide instructions and products for long-term maintenance of the
skin to be done at home.
Using our post care products
that offer protection and cover any residual redness, most patients are able to
get out of the house and return to normal activities within a week to ten days.
Chemical Peels come in many types and strengths, with glycolic acid being the mildest, then TCA and Trichoroacetic acid in various strengths in between, and phenol being the strongest.
Chemical peels are preferred
for lightening freckles and treating pigmentation differences. Light peels
can also be used on more delicate areas, such as the hands, chest, and lips.
Before any peel, the face is
first thoroughly cleansed with a special solution to remove oil and to prepare
the skin for deepest penetration. Then, the peel solution is applied directly to
the facial skin, which penetrates through the epidermis or surface layer and
then into the first layer of the dermis, causing the skin to turn very red and
to gradually peel off. The peel solution penetrates deeper and more evenly
when the skin is pre-treated at home for about four to six weeks with a
sloughing agent, such as Retin A.
Directly following the
procedure, Dr. Miles will apply a special dressing to the skin. Swelling
and crusting of the skin is to be expected. The patient will be sent home
with special ointments to be applied to keep the skin supple. Although
some redness of the skin will persist after the initial healing period, this
redness will fade in time. The patient may also notice that the skin
remains lighter for a long time after surgery, but that condition will usually
subside when the skin’s pigment level has been restored.
About a week to ten days
after the procedure, our skincare nurse will instruct the patient in applying a
special makeup that helps with healing, protects the skin from the sun, and
covers the residual redness. At that time, the patient can usually return
to normal activities.
Click HERE to see before and
after photos of this procedure.
Laser Resurfacing has become the popular
choice of most people today, because it is more predictable and controlled than
chemical peels. It does not require the lengthy time of pre-skin
preparation, because the skin is immediately sloughed off, unlike the delayed
peeling time and penetration factor involved with chemical peels. Plus,
the strongest chemical peels tend to lighten pigment more than the lasers do.
Laser resurfacing is
performed with a special attachment connected to a laser machine. Many
types of lasers are used today, but Dr. Miles prefers the CO2 UltraPulse, which
utilizes high energy, amplified light waves of carbon dioxide to vaporize the
top layer of the skin, with no bleeding and minimal trauma to the surrounding
tissue.
The surgeon goes over small
areas of skin at a time, using very controlled passes with the laser, and
afterward, brushing away the released skin cells. It is possible to do
extra passes on areas that are more deeply wrinkled and less on areas that are
not.
The number of passes, the
degree of intensity, and the emphasis on targeted areas are all carefully
orchestrated by the doctor.
Post treatment is very similar to the chemical peel listed above.
Click HERE to see before and
after photos of this procedure.
In spite of the increased
popularity of laser resurfacing, dermabrasion is still the best treatment for
deeper or profuse scarring.
Using a high speed rotating
brush, the doctor uses a skin sanding technique to smooth and even out the rough
and indented areas of the face, caused most frequently by acne. The top
layer of the skin is removed to the appropriate level, depending upon the depth
of the scarring.
With more severe scarring,
several treatments over a few years time may be necessary. In some cases,
however, laser resurfacing may be sufficient after an aggressive first
dermabrasion.
Often, in addition to
dermabrasion, wider, indented scars may be trimmed out and the skin tightened
back together with stitches for best cosmetic results.
Generally, dermabrasion is
considered cosmetic in nature and therefore is not covered by insurance.
Yet, a few health care providers do recognize that the psychological trauma that
acne scarring causes in afflicted individuals is certainly not a healthy
situation.
Post care mainly consists of
using special healing agents on the skin, keeping it clean and protected from
the sun and other irritating substances, and wearing our specially formulated
cover sunblock products.
Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas (TX).
Click HERE to see before and after photos of this procedure.
Dr. Miles
specializes in facial and full body cosmetic plastic surgery and his practice is
located in Dallas, Texas. Patients from the following areas and cities: Fort
Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi,
Plano, Garland, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Lubbock, Irving, Forest Hill, Southland,
Mansfield, Allen, Frisco, Denton, Carrollton, Lewisville, Waxahachie, Corsicana,
Sherman Denison, Texas (TX), and Little Rock, Arkansas (AR), New Orleans,
Louisiana (LA), Santa Fe, Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM), Tulsa, Oklahoma (OK),
Topeka, Kansas (KS), Jefferson, Missouri (MO) can conveniently schedule
appointments in our Dallas, Texas office.
Registered to beautify.com.
© 2008