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With so many companies selling products and services that guarantee they can take years off of the appearance of your skin, it’s hard not to at least think about your own skin occasionally. Skin rejuvenation is something a lot of people pursue as they get older. Wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, scarring, uneven skin texture and tones are all characteristics of getting older, but it doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Dr. Kenneth Arndt, the medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Skin Care and Repair and the adjunct professor at Harvard Medical School, states that you should “check and double-check the reputation and accreditation of clinicians performing invasive skin procedures.” Sometimes invasive procedures, like surgery, can leave you with lasting skin damage that could potentially be worse than the skin issues you wanted to fix in the first place.
Invasive skin procedures are becoming a thing of the past with the new non-invasive techniques that deliver similar or better results. Procedures like chemical peels, fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing, acne scar revision and more have proven to be safe, effective and create fewer side effects than going through surgical procedures. We’ve outlined some of the top options for skin rejuvenation today and how they work.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are effective in improving the appearance of your skin in as little as one week. It involves an acid chemical solution containing a combination of Kojic Acid, Glutathione, TCA, Retinoic Acid, Phenol, Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid that gets applied to the skin and begins an exfoliation process. Within a few days, the peeling process will begin and it may take up to 12 days to complete. During this time, the damaged layers of skin are being removed and the fresh and healthy skin slowly gets revealed underneath.
There are three different types of chemical peels to choose from, depending on the severity of your skin damage:
- Superficial Peel - designed to treat the outer layer of the skin to improve minor skin damage.
- Medium Peel - designed to treat the outer and mid-layers of the skin to improve more severely-damaged skin.
- Deep Peel - designed to target the deepest layers of the skin. This type of peel isn’t commonly used today since a fractional CO2 laser treatment is just as effective with fewer side effects.
When you get treated with chemical peels, you can resume normal activities shortly afterward. Just be sure to refrain from heavy exercising or activities that cause you to sweat, since it could interfere with the peeling process. Also, be conscious of your sun exposure since your skin will be more vulnerable during and after the peeling process.
Hyperpigmentation Solutions
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition where some spots on the skin are darker than the rest. These uneven skin tones can be unsightly, but usually aren’t a cause for concern. Anything from excessive sun exposure to pregnancy or even certain medications can cause unexpected hyperpigmentation. The best option for reducing and eliminating hyperpigmentation is with a fractional CO2 laser treatment.
The treatment works by sending a laser beam through the skin to make tiny columns spaced apart from one another. The body then naturally goes to work repairing those columns by pushing out the old skin and replacing it with new skin. The fractional CO2 laser treatment can take as little as 30 minutes and you can slowly notice results over the next few months. Depending on the area of your body where the hyperpigmentation is present, your medical professional may suggest taking the rest of the day off and a few days afterward.
Laser Scar Revision
Not all scars on the body are the same, but most of them can be revised with a fractional CO2 laser treatment plan. It’s important to work with a reputable and experienced medical professional since, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, “Scars should be thoroughly evaluated using a combination of clinical assessment and patient history to guide the appropriate treatment plan.”
Scars can be in the form of rolling scars, ice pick scars, hypertrophic scars, boxcar scars, keloid scars or contracture scars. Once your medical professional identifies the types of scars on your body, they may suggest a fractional CO2 laser treatment. The process works similarly to the procedure described above and you can expect to see great results with a single treatment. However, depending on the severity of the scars and other factors, multiple treatments may be required to achieve the desired results.
Melasma Reduction
Melasma is one of the most difficult skin conditions to reverse. It is similar to hyperpigmentation in that it appears as dark and discolored patches of skin, but the main difference is there’s no conclusive evidence that determines what causes it. Melasma will often go away on its own over time. It is also known to remain present for the entirety of a person’s life. If you’re concerned with your melasma, the best thing to do is speak with a medical professional and they can determine whether a fractional CO2 laser treatment is the best option. In many situations, laser treatments can reduce the appearance significantly.
Skin Deep Laser Services offers the highest quality of service with the best quality equipment in the industry for our clients. We understand your physical image is very important for many reasons, and clearing up any skin blemishes is sometimes necessary. We also understand that cost is often a concern when it comes to skin rejuvenation techniques. Your medical professional can give you an accurate estimate during your initial visit, but you can expect the fractional laser resurfacing cost to be between $1,500 and $4,000. We will always be transparent with you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your free consultation.