Skin Resurfacing/Rejuvenation
Skin Rejuvenation Treatments at CSH
Dermabrasion
Chemical Peels
Laser Resurfacing
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion was started by surgeons in the early 1950's for the treatment of acne scarring. It was then advanced for the treatment of wrinkled skin. Dermabrasion involves removing the top layer of skin with a high speed rotary drum. Following treatment a thick scab forms and this falls off in seven to ten days. During this period of time, mineral oil is applied to the scabs as it dries to keep it soft. Dermabrasion is not a substitute for a facelift but rather a complimentary procedure and certain areas are treated at the same time as doing a facelift. This is particularly true in the lines around the mouth.
Dermabrasion to the entire face is generally done under a full anaesthesia. Frequently, the lip areas are treated at the same time as doing a facelift. Many women find that they have fine lines only around the mouth area. They complain that their lipstick tends to "bleed" up into these cracks.Chemical Peels.
There are two types of chemical solutions that are commonly used for chemical peels. One type is a phenol solution and the other is a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solution. Commonly prior to the utilization of TCA, the skin is pretreated for some weeks before with various chemicals.
The scab that forms after treatment with a TCA peel, is much less than that formed by either the dermabrasion of the phenol peel, but the depth of wrinkles that can be treated is less.
TCA peels are considered to be fine tuning peels and several superficial peels can be done to treat specific problem areas. Which procedure is most appropriate for you would be discussed with you during your consultation.
Chemical peels are most frequently done under sedation.Laser Resurfacing
Laser has been used in surgery for decades. Firstly, in Sweden for brain surgery and this was followed by the use of the technology to replace the detached retina of the eyeball. Carbon dioxide lasers have been used for decades to treat rare skin conditions. However recently it has been used for facial rejuvenation surgery and other skin modalities.
The laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is increasingly replacing other techniques for facial rejuvenation. However this does not mean that there is not a place for the micro peel with various agents orthereis not a place for the TCA peel especially the Obagi technique. Dermabrasion also has its role in selective cases.
It is important to realize what can be achieved by laser resurfacing of the face and that which can not be. Obviously, if there is a lot of lose skin with dominant jowls and neck sag rejuvenation can not be achieved without a standard face-lift. In these patients the laser can be useful to get rid of wrinkles around the mouth or eyelids. The very precise technique of laser resurfacing appears to be ideal for the treatment of wrinkles and photoaged skin.
The laser has also been very helpful in lower eyelid surgery. The fat which causes the bagginess of the eyelid can be removed from inside the eyelid (conjunctival) and then laser resurfacing of the eyelid and crows feet area is carried out. This results in a smoother rejuvenated-looking eyelid in selected cases.
Various kinds of laser are available today. The Q Switch Lasers are excellent for tattoo removal, as is the Ruby 964. Some lasers are good for removing certain coloured pigments while others can deal with another colour. The Argon and YAG lasers are good machines for removing vascular lesions. The Candella is used for removal of port wine stains.
The Pulse Dye laser has been used for treating fine veins - spider nevi of face, hands and lower extremities. However, the efficiency of lower extremity treatments is in question.
There are several lasers on the market today. Pros and cons of laser surgery and which is appropriate for you will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation with the doctor.