How to Choose the Right Skin Resurfacing Method

We are a youth obsessed culture and younger skin is a goal we all strive for. There are many ways to rejuvenate your skin from glycolic peels, to microdermabrasion, to chemical peels and laser treatments. How do you choose what is right for you?

Things You'll Need

• Time
• Money
• Wrinkles, acne scars, discoloration or other skin anomalies you wish to correct

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Instructions

• 1

  First you need to determine where you need to resurface. Are your arms old and wrinkled? Is it your shoulders? Decollate (chest/cleavage area)? Neck? Hands? Face?

  For all areas other than face the only real ways to improve texture is via resurfacing through chemical peels such as TCA and Glycolic (medical grade) peels. This is painful and also takes time as one treatment will not likely give you the results you want. That said, at present, other than some of these marginal lasers like Fraxel, I cannot recommend anything but chemical peels such as TCA, Glycolic and rarely Phenol. These are options you must discuss with your Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist.

  As for other options, there are lesser options I have written about to subtly change your skin but these do not offer the same dramatic results. Please see some of my other articles to learn about subtle skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.

  Now the most popular place people have skin resurfacing is the face. So let's talk about what it is you need to know about most treatments.

  First and most importantly is your plastic surgeon is a salesperson. They specialize in a certain procedure and often times feel most comfortable with a certain type of device and therefore push it. At times they also get new technology and want to "test it out" and may well push you toward that. This does NOT mean you are getting the best advice. Doctor shop based on your needs and desires.

• 2

  Other than the chemical peels for "other body parts" which I think everyone should start with glycolics at a medical level and see if the need to go to TCA or other deeper peels, I want to focus on the face.

  There are many lasers and non-lasers available today for everything from "skin-tightening" to laser resurfacing. I want to discuss the most popular. One such device is the Fraxel, which I want to personally rule out immediately as the results do not justify the expense in my opinion unless you need the lightest of treatments (in which case get yourself a tube of retin-a or tri-luma). There are also many spa treatments utilizing thermal heat (Thermage) and other such low-level non-ablative treatments. These too do not justify their expense.

  The Rhytec Portrait was promising initially but disappointing in the long run. Contrary to ablative lasers it was the first treatment to offer PLASMA heat that worked from the inside out. It caused light thermal damage to moderate thermal damage and then you peeled as if you had a sun-burn and newer younger, replenished skin was revealed. The only problem is that it was not a profound change as is the CO2 Laser (I will discuss) and did not offer the results it promised. It was as expensive as the CO2 so I deem it obsolete, especially as at present the company seems to have gone out of business leaving many plastic surgeons with an obsolete machine. It did work, and is an option, if you can find a doctor that has the machine, for those with light skin problems.

  For heavier skin problems there are three main lasers. There is the Erbium, the CO2 and the N-Lite. N-lite is as per its name, quite a light treatment. The average treatment cost is between 1-2k Dollars. There is no pain, no down time and some improvement of skin texture and fine wrinkles. All treatments with all lasers take between 15-90 minutes or slightly more. The N-Lite requires no anaesthesia.

  The Erbium is slightly more profound a change. It costs about 3-4k Dollars and you do need to pre-treat with retin-a or glycolics the doctor will prescribe. A topical anaesthetic is needed and down time is 4-7 days with complete healing in 1-4 weeks. This will improve texture, fine wrinkles and slightly improve dynamic wrinkling.

• 3

  Due to space constraints I am combining the last and my favorite option with the final step. For about 1-2K more you may opt for, what is in my opinion the best and most effective treatment. This is the CO2 Laser. This laser is very strong and works by damaging (controlled damage) and burning off your skin. In turn the damage heals in a controlled way, taking away any discoloration, greatly improving dynamic wrinkles and acne scars or any scarring, and making all fine lines all but disappear in the hands of an expert. You will need a general anaesthetic or "twilight" sedation as well as local anaesthetic. It is painful and you will need to stay indoors for about 10 days. You will be red for about 1-4 months but can cover this with make-up after your skin has healed in about 10 days. It is a dramatic change and can set your clock back a good 10-15 years or more. In severe cases it can be combined with face/neck lifts and blepharoplasty for dramatic results. I favor this because I always feel if you spend the money get what you pay for and do not have regrets.

  Finally, do your research. Many plastic surgeons do these procedures but as stated many favor one treatment over another based on experience and their experience or motives. I prefer a dermatologist or laser surgeon who specializes only in laser to get the best results. DO NOT use spas like American Laser. Such unscrupulous companies have many complaints. Thoroughly check your surgeon's reputation out on the net and via other patients when possible. Check with the BBB and the medical board. Your face is not something that can be messed with!