Skin Resurfacing
Skin resurfacing is the process of removing the upper surface layers of skin resulting in softer, smoother, more even toned youthful looking skin. Resurfacing is done to decrease lines, even out pigmentation, reduce acne scars, reduce pore size and assist in rebuilding of the body’s own collagen. Several different treatments are available to attain this goal.
Ablative forms of skin resurfacing penetrate deep into the skin layers to remove heavy wrinkles, acne scars and some forms of pigmentation. Ablative means the skin is removed or vaporized. This type of resurfacing has significant down time, usually associated with severe redness, swelling and oozing. Types of ablative skin resurfacing include dermabrasion and CO2 laser. Dermabrasion is done by a physician using a high speed brush that scrapes away the top layers of skin. CO2 lasers vaporize the top layers of skin. Healing takes place as the skin begins to regenerate itself, revealing fresh new revitalized, tighter skin.
Partially ablative procedures have recently joined the skin resurfacing realm. Known as fractional lasers, this technique ablates the epidermis using a tiny dot like pattern, leaving some healthy skin intact. The intact skin helps to regenerate new skin faster, decreasing the down time and the side effects. The results give resurfaced firmer skin with more even tone and texture.
Lasers such as the plasma skin resurfacing, work by rapidly heating the skin. As the healing process takes place, the outer layer of skin sloughs off and the new skin emerges. Chemical peels work on 3 levels: light, medium and deep to resurface the skin by using a topical “chemical” that removes the upper layers of skin. Microdermabrasion removes the superficial layer of skin by light scraping and suction and is the most gradual and least invasive of all the techniques.
Only you and your cosmetic specialist can help you decide which procedure is right for you.
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