Skin Resurfacing

As we age our skin develops wrinkles, age spots and many other problems related to aging. Many of us opt for all types of treatment to get rid of these problems. However, there are a few that might be a tad misleading. On the other hand, one of the most popular treatments for anti-aging is laser skin resurfacing. This procedure is known to improve the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles and age spots. Nevertheless, one should know the advantages and disadvantages before using this treatment as with all other treatments.

What is Skin Resurfacing?

During this process, layers of skin are removed. This prompts the growth of new healthy skin. Skin resurfacing is different to other treatments as the layers of skin are removed in a different way. Unlike chemical peels and dermabrasion, skin resurfacing treatment uses a carbon dioxide laser. The laser vapourizes the layers of skin. The use of a laser allows the aesthetician to control the depth of penetration by specifying the amount of energy transmitted to the skin’s surface.

Is Your Skin Appropriate for Skin Resurfacing?

There are many questions that you should consider before taking this treatment. Not all skin types are suitable for this treatment. However, you may be a good candidate if you have one or more of the following problems:

-          Wrinkled or sun-damaged facial skin

-          Age-spots

-          Acne or chicken pox scars

-          Precancerous skin growths

-          Superficial facial scars from a past injury

You can receive treatment at any age as an adult. However, it is important to keep in mind that certain skin types do make you a better candidate for this treatment than others. In Addition, it is vital to acknowledge that the recovery time does depend upon the depth. More superficial treatments require less recovery time than deeper treatments.

What are the Risks of Skin Resurfacing?

As with many treatments it is vital to know all the risks before diving into it. However, there are thousands of patients that undergo successful skin resurfacing treatments without experiencing any major problems.

Make sure that you choose and experience board-certified plastic surgeon for this treatment. Since it is your face and your money, it is important that you choose the best of the best. In addition, consult the doctor before opting to take this treatment in case you have any allergies as they can resurface with this treatment. A few white heads might appear after treatment; however, this can be cleared up by using a mild abrasive facial wash. Most of the time, the surgeon would have to remove it so that your face is cleared up fast.

There have been a few cases, where individuals have developed raised or thickened scars. Nevertheless, medications are available for treat such problems. It is rare a case that scarring has been permanent.

Following any type of skin resurfacing procedure, make sure than you avoid any exposure to the sun whatsoever until your proper skin colour has returned. Exposure to the sun afterwards is still not recommended. If you do have to be out in the sun after, use plenty of sunblock. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is also suggested. Furthermore, after certain types of skin resurfacing treatments, some aestheticians do advice against exposing your skin to chlorinated water.

Skin resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment and should not be considered lightly. Make sure that you follow the instructions of your surgeon in order to minimize any risks after treatment. If you are planning to undergo this treatment make sure you research a bit more about the procedures involved. Do not dive into any cosmetic treatment without knowing all the advantages and disadvantages.

Age Spots

Also known as sun spots, liver spots, lentigos or lentigines, these lesions are flat, tan, brown or dark brown spots that appear on your skin as you age. Common amongst those who linger out in the sun a lot, these unattractive spots tend to appear around the back of the hands, the forearms, neck, chest and face. Although these spots are not cancerous themselves, research has shown that you might be at a risk for developing skin cancer if you do have them.

The Causes of Age Spots

Age spots develop when you age and if you have had increased exposure to the sun. The spots are come about when melanocytes (pigment producing cells in the skin) are activated to produce more of the pigment melanin due to the ultraviolet rays. Thus, spots appear in your skin that is darker than your natural skin colour. Sun spots are common amongst those who have freckles or who burn easily when exposed to the sun.

How do you get rid of Age Spots?

There are many types of treatment available nowadays to remove age spots. However, the best way is prevention. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen daily is a great way of preventing age spots in the future. Nevertheless, there are the numbers of us where it might be too late for prevention. Age spots can be removed with a number of treatment options. This includes, chemical peels, laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light therapy and bleaching creams.

è Chemical Peels

This procedure is quite amazing for age spots and for taking years off your face. The advantage of this treatment is that it is fully customizable, where you would be able to choose the depth of your peel and how you want the end result. Furthermore, it has been proven to improve skin by years of testing. In addition, the procedure has shown amazing results that have lasted for many years unlike other surgeries.

The treatment works by removing the layers of skin that contain age spots, wrinkles and other problems on the skin’s surface. Moreover, the recovery time span and side effects can range from nothing to moderate depending on the severity of the treatment you select.

è Laser Resurfacing

If you are looking for a solution that is safe and effective in the removal of age spots, then laser resurfacing is the best. Results have shown that laser resurfacing has successfully reduced the appearance of age spots and other discolorations for many years.

The procedure usually lasts about 30 to 90 minutes where by using various intensities of laser light, laser resurfacing removes damaged tissue without incisions. This encourages the growth of new, healthy, normal-pigmented skin. Although results can take a few months to show, they do last for many years.

è Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

This treatment is a non-invasive method that has shown significant improvement in the visibility of age-spots, melasma, enlarged blood vessels and freckles. Furthermore, it has significantly reduced pain and recovery time in comparison to laser or chemical-related procedures. The delicate upper layer of the epidermal layer is also protected during this treatment.

IPL (Intense Pulses Light) therapy works by applying broad-spectrum light to the deeper layers of the skin. This encourages new skin growth that is similar to the photosynthesis process in plan. Due to these events, there is far less damaged associated with IPL than some laser treatments. However, some patients do require a series of IPL treatments over a course of a few weeks in order to get the desired effect.

è Bleaching Creams

This method is probably the slowest but can be quite effective. Not to mention, this is probably the cheapest of all treatments. Nevertheless, when it comes to bleaching creams opt for the high-quality creams as the wrong creams might have a bad effect upon your skin. Make sure that you choose the cream that is suited to your skin type.