Facial treatments or "skin care" includes many modalities to restore wrinkled, scarred, or blemished facial skin. These modalities include facial peels, microdermabrasion, injectables or filling agents (such as collagen or fat), Botox injections and laser treatments. Many surgeons feel that these skin treatments enhance and compliment any facial esthetic surgery that you would consider and may be just as important as surgery in obtaining the final desired result.
While surgery can improve facial contours by removing bulges and tighten loose skin, other treatments are necessary to make changes within the skin itself. Aging and photodamage can contribute to fine lines, roughness and pigment irregularites. Acne can contibute to scarring and blemishes which can further detract from the overall benefit of facial esthetic surgery. Other skin care treatments can minimize the effects of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkling and treat the effects of superficial acne or remove other skin blemishes associated with pigmentation problems.
Chemical peels of facial skin treatments Chemical peels or treatments have been used for many years to improve the quality of the skin. Through application of a chemical solution to peel away top layers of skin, a tighter, fresher, and more youthful appearing new skin surface appears during the healing process. Recently, the AHA's or alpha hydroxy acids, (fruit acids) have become very popular to gently, over a series of treatments, enhance and rejuvenate the skin. The daily use of such products in conjunction with facial treatments in the office or with and esthetician can greatly improve and rejuvenate the skin and are not associated with the recovery or downtime related to more aggressive treatments such as TCA (trichloroacetic acid) or phenol. Chemical treatments are not substitutes for a facelift, or rhytidectcmy, but rather a complimentary procedure often performed in conjunction with it. Loose, sagging, or excess skin cannot be eliminated by any skin care treatment alone, and may require other procedures to correct.
In addition, for treatment of severe scarring or deep pits that often result from severe acne, a procedure calleddermabrasion in which a mechanical device is used to abrade, or remove, the top layers of skin, may be recommended.
Emotional and personal motivating factors are also important to explore prior to undertaking any esthetic procedure. A "new" face does not necessarily guarantee a new life. Skin care can dramatically improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence, but the rest is up to you.
Your surgeon will discuss specific limitations with you at the time of your consultation.
Risks Thousands of chemical peels are performed successfully each year. Nevertheless, you should be aware of potential risks and specific complications associated with chemosurgery.
Post operative complications such as infection, scarring, and abnormal pigmentation are occasionally seen. Poor healing resulting in excessive scar formation, seen in a very small percentage of patients, may nesessitate a second operation. Risk of complications can be minimized by closely following your surgeon's advice on follow-up care during the healing process. Your surgeon will discuss this in more detail with you during your consultation.
The Operation Chemosurgery typically is performed improve fine wrinkling over the forehead about the eyelids and cheeks, and around the mouth. The extent of the procedure depends on what changes are desired. Your surgeon may recommend that you be operated on in the surgeon's office or as out-patient in the hospital.
Traditionally, skin treatment procedures such as facelifts and chemical peels have been the used to accomplish this. There are other skin treatments, which exist due to the diligence of scientists who have poured time and effort to improve knowledge on the skin and skin treatment.
Today's new breakthroughs are made possible with this modern technology in skin care and skin treatment. Nowadays, skin care is no longer limited to facial skin care and surgical procedures.
The following are some of the latest and not-so-latest advances in the science of skin.
BOTOX?
For most of today's beauty conscious individuals, Botox is the cosmetic treatment of choice. Due to its never-ending popularity, plastic surgery and other ?bloody? skin treatments available are steadily being out hustled by botox.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are used for the removal of skin blemishes or wrinkles. The skin becomes smooth and the skin texture and appearance will improve with the solution used by the chemical peels. It does so by stripping away the damaged outer layers of the skin.
In this process of stripping away, chemical peels can lessen, and in some cases, even eliminate blemishes, hyper-pigmentation and wrinkles. Acne scars and the occurrence of acne can also be reduced with the help of chemical peels.
There are many kinds of chemical peels available in the market. You may choose one according to your needs and circumstance. The available chemical peels are divided into three categories: Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and alphahydroxy acids (AHA).
Each of these categories of chemical peels, vary in their use, potency and inconvenience. You can take the help of your dermatologist in deciding the right kind of chemical peel for you.
Collagen
In Collagen type of skin treatment, collagen injections plump up skin tissue, causing it to look healthier and firmer. Usually where there is sagging and loss of firmness in the skin, the type of skin treatment is performed.
Results will last for a few months. This skin treatment is usually recommended for the lips and other areas of the face that are desired to look fuller, smoother, and firmer.
Light Procedures
In this type of skin treatment, the CO2 Laser targets fine lines, wrinkles and scars and makes dramatic correction on these areas that are not possible with chemical peels. This skin treatment achieves this result with less reddening and irritation than other peels with the help of powerful bursts of laser light.
Obagi Nu-Derm
The skin treatment procedure, Obagi is a new system that rejuvenates skin health from the skin cells. A healthy glow and the appearance of soft, smooth, radiant, and younger looking skin is maintained by this skin treatment.
This skin treatment is easy and can be done at home. In just a little time of six weeks, which is about the same time it takes for new skin to emerge, this skin treatment transforms dry, damaged, and course skin into fresher looking skin.
The main benefit of Obagi is that this skin treatment concentrates more on skin health rather than on skin beautification. This skin treatment is usually performed in combination with the Obagi Blue Peel treatment.
The Obagi Blue Peel is a mild chemical peel that allows for the removal of damaged layers of the skin. After a week or so, a new layer of skin, which will be smoother and will have smaller pores, will replace this area.
Restylane
The skin treatment, Restylane helps in smoothening of wrinkles, and also helps to shape and sculpt lips and facial features. This skin treatment involves the use of a clear gel of hyaluronic acid. This substance is hypoallergenic and remains in the skin for months.
Theraderm?
Lactic acid peel is used in this skin treatment to improve the skin's appearance. Lactic acid peel is used to treat discoloration, and damage due to the sun's harmful rays.
Theraderm is appealing due to the fact that it is recommended for skin of all types and age. This skin treatment can result in smooth skin with a more uniform tone in just six weeks.
Technology is constantly creating methods to produce safer, more effective and more dramatic skin care treatments. The above-mentioned skin treatments are the best today's technology offers and give many people the opportunity to improve their image the safe and effective way today.
Both Dave Stringham & Alien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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