The following information has been prepared to familiarize you with the surgical procedures known as laser skin resurfacing and chemical peel. Similarities among these procedures allow them to be discussed together in this handout. You are requested to read this information thoroughly and to discuss any questions which might arise with your surgeon before you proceed with either procedure.
Introduction
Various methods have been devised to minimize fine facial wrinkles, accident or acne scars. A face lift or blepharoplasty alone cannot remove wrinkles and are especially inadequate for the fine wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and forehead. The chemical peel, dermabrasion and Erbium laser skin resurfacing procedures were devised to minimize these surface irregularities.
These procedures remove the outer scarred or wrinkled skin, leaving the patient with a smoother and more youthful appearance. The chemical peel procedure consists of the application of a medical mixture to the treated skin which creates a chemical burn. In the more modern method of laser skin resurfacing, an Erbium laser is employed to vaporize the outer layer of skin and induce a tightening of the remaining skin.
The result of the treatment is a general tightening of the skin with obliteration of many of the fine wrinkles and scars while making the deeper wrinkles and scars less noticeable. In patients with excessive wrinkling or scarring, a repeat procedure may be desirable, but complete obliteration of all lines and wrinkles will not be possible in any patient.
Your surgeon will discuss with you the numerous options regarding treatment of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Generally, your surgeon will recommend the simplest methods that might give you the desired result. This may mean something as simple as a skin care program including sun blocks, Retin-A or glycolic acid products. A laser may be most suited for your skin type and degree of wrinkling, A light or medium strength TCA peel may be recommended. The office staff will discuss a home skin care program employing glycolic acid products as well.
The most common inquiry is, "How long will it last?". This is impossible to predict as the result varies greatly with the patient's skin type, the age of the patient, the severity of the aging process, the number of layers of skin removed by the laser, the concentration and type of acid mixture used, the condition of the skin and the penetration of the acid mixture or the thickness of the skin removed.
It would be unethical for any physician to guarantee the results of an operation; one can only promise to do one's best to help the patient. In general, however, once the desired result has been achieved, repeat procedures are rarely necessary.
To learn more about plastic surgery, please choose from the following procedures:
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Facelift Threadlift Browlift Eyelid Lift Rhinoplasty Skin Resurfacing Fraxel Laser Treatment |
Liposuction Tummy Tuck |
Breast Enlargement Breast Lift & Breast Reduction |
