Skin Care Treatments
From early on, we learn that having a smooth, clear complexion is an attribute of physical attractiveness. However, as we age, maintaining that healthy glow becomes more difficult.
The face is the most exposed part of the body, vulnerable to the harsh rays of the sun. The face is also subject to acne, rashes, allergic reactions, and injuries that may leave permanent scars.
A number of non-surgical rejuvenating treatments are available for individuals who want to eliminate or soften imperfections on their facial skin and achieve a clearer, fresher look. These include facial resurfacing treatments, which range from customized spa facial treatments to hydradermabrasion to advanced medical grade peeling to skin condition-specific laser treatments. These change the cellular metabolism of the skin’s surface and are used to combat fine facial wrinkles, scarring, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, excessive oiliness, skin laxity, acne, unwanted hair, and blotches from sun damage.
Each of these treatments can be used alone or can be prescribed in conjunction with an aesthetic surgery procedure, such as a facelift with an injectable.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SKIN RESURFACING TREATMENTS
Though they may not remove deep scars, resurfacing treatments can enhance your appearance and give your skin a smoother, fresher look. Regular treatments and home care can slow the aging process. These treatments should not be thought of as mini-facelifts. Generally speaking, spa facial treatments offer less-dramatic results than more advanced aesthetic approaches such as dermaplaning, hydradermabrasion, or resurfacing peels.
Before you decide to have a skin-rejuvenating treatment of any type, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your plastic surgeon and skincare specialist.
PLANNING FOR TREATMENT
Whether you’re planning a surgical or nonsurgical skin treatment, it’s important that you find a practitioner who has training and experience with a variety of skin-management techniques. You’ll want a practitioner who can give you the best possible single treatment or treatment combination. Look elsewhere if your practitioner tells you that he or she has perfected a single technique that promises unbelievable results. The choice is yours, so be certain your practitioner is qualified to prescribe such treatments. After all, these treatments involve the most visible part of your body — your face.
During your initial consultation, be open in discussing your treatment goals with your practitioner and don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have. Your practitioner should be equally open with you and explain the factors that could influence your choice of treatment options, such as age, skin condition, and previous treatments.
The practitioner will ask about your medical history and conduct a routine examination. If you’re having a surgical procedure in conjunction with your skin treatment, your doctor should explain the process in detail, including the risks and benefits, the recovery period, and the costs. Insurance usually doesn’t cover aesthetic procedures.
WHERE YOUR TREATMENT WILL BE PERFORMED
It is unlikely that you’ll have to spend time in the hospital for your skin treatment unless the treatment is performed in conjunction with a facelift or some other more complex procedure. Your initial skin resurfacing treatment will be performed in the MedSpa.
Your skin resurfacing treatment will include a lesson on how to continue your skincare routine at home.
AFTER TREATMENT
It’s normal to experience some redness, irritation, itching, stinging, or skin dryness once you begin to use new medical grade home care. However, you can expect these symptoms to gradually disappear as the skin becomes acclimated to the treatment.
Caring for your new skin. Because retinoids and some hydroxy acids thin the skin’s outer layer, you will need to consistently use a sunblock to protect yourself from ultraviolet light, and you may have to discontinue using certain products or cosmetics on your face.
Though the degree of change varies from person to person, with continued use of medical grade skincare, you will begin to see subtle improvements in the texture and tone of your skin. Medical grade skincare users notice a rosy glow during the beginning months of use, followed by the disappearance of fine lines and the shrinking of large pores. After about six months, many advanced skincare users report that wrinkles are barely visible and that age spots have faded.
RESURFACING PEELS
Best candidates
Resurfacing Peels can offer smoother skin to people of all ages. These types of treatments seem to work best on patients who have rough, sun-damaged skin. Resurfacing Peels are sometimes formulated with lightening agents to correct areas of uneven pigmentation.
Reactions/Side Effects
It’s important to remember that side effects may occur even with non-surgical treatments. No serious medical problems have been associated with resurfacing peels, but their use may cause temporary skin irritation and redness. Switching to a milder formula may remedy the problem.
Beginning treatment
Your initial application of peel treatment will include a lesson on how to continue your skincare routine at home. The way in which the treatment is applied to the face depends on what form it’s in.
There are many forms of resurfacing treatments which help slough away dry, sun-damaged skin on the surface of the face. Each may contain hydrating, healing and/or lightening agents. Your Licensed Medical Aesthetician may adjust the strength of the peel solution or the frequency of treatments after evaluating the condition of your skin in follow-up visits.
After treatment
It’s normal to experience some redness, irritation, itching, stinging, or skin dryness once you begin resurfacing treatments; however, you can expect these symptoms to gradually disappear as the skin adjusts to the treatment.
Caring for your new skin
Because resurfacing agents thin the skin’s outer layer, you will need to use a sunblock consistently to protect yourself from ultraviolet light, and you may have to discontinue using certain products or cosmetics on you face.
Though the degree of change varies from person to person, you will begin to see subtle improvements in the texture and tone of your skin with continued resurfacing treatments. In most cases, patients notice an overall freshness and smoothness. After a while, pigmented blotches fade or disappear as the lightening effect begins to work. The time necessary for visible results depends on the degree of pigmentation and individual circumstances. Some patients see results in as little as six weeks.
YOUR NEW ROUTINE
Most people find that maintaining their new look is easier than expected. Using proper post treatment care will become a natural part of your morning or evening routine. The difference you’ll see will be worth the extra effort.