Skin Resurfacing: Which Treatment Is Right For You?

As we say goodbye to summer and hello to pumpkin everything, it’s time for some skin R&R!  Did you have a sun-filled summer?  Is it time to save your skin with a skin overhaul?  Our Fall Event is the perfect time to plan your skin-juvination!!  We are offering specials on our three favorite skin overhaul treatments!

 

Why should I pick FraxelDual laser treatment?

 “I’m ready for a real skin overhaul.”

“I really need to address the sun damage and sunspots and I want results! Take them away now!”

“I want to address the fine lines and crepey skin, but I’m not ready for a facelift.”

“I want that Hollywood glow and I’m so tired of wearing make-up.”

Our FraxelDual 1927/1550 system, aka “Fraxel,” is the leading fractional skin resurfacing and soft tissue coagulation technology.  This laser treatment has earned several FDA indications including treatment of actinic keratosis, melasma, periorbilal wrinkles, acne scarring, and surgical scars.  But…what does that actually mean? English please!  Why do I really need this treatment?  Simply put, Fraxel is a premier laser treatment used to renew the skin from the bottom up.  It safely penetrates to the skin’s deep layer, called the dermis, to target many things including pre-cancerous cells, many types of pigmentation, fine lines, skin laxity, and scarring.  The best part is, Fraxel is actually two lasers in one!   The first penetrates deeper causes new collagen stimulation which improves things like fine lines, wrinkles, scars, or sagging skin.  The second is a little bit shallower, but the exact depth necessary to target sun spots, brown spots, age spots, freckles, and pigmentation.  We get to choose exactly what to target and customize our treatment to your specific needs!  Are you in need of a good skin overhaul?  Well, this is your secret weapon.

Here is what you need to know about Fraxel!  When you arrive on the day of your first treatment, we will start by taking some “before” photos followed by applying numbing cream.  For the next hour, you will relax in our reclining chair while your numbing takes effect.  During this time, we will have a little chat about what to expect, after care, and answer any questions you might have.  Lastly, we will wash the skin, removing all numbing cream and oils to prepare your skin for the treatment.  The treatment itself takes about 20-30 minutes and it feels like hot prickles.  We use super cold air and ice packs to help calm the initial feeling of heat.  After about 10-15 minutes of cooling, we will apply a few proprietary products and you’re all set to go.  We will provide a specific skin care routine to be used for the next week, so you will be very prepared!  Your skin will go through a full purge, meaning you will peel for about 4 to 7 days.  Say goodbye to the old you, and hello to your new glow!  Each treatment will give you a great improvement, but when a series of these treatments is done, we get the real wow factor!

 

Why should I pick Clear + Brilliant laser treatment?

 “Help! I have sun damage and dull skin, but I don’t have time for down time!”

“My skin needs help, but I’m not ready for something invasive or intense!”

“Is there something I can do for prevention?”

“I need more than a facial. I’m ready for the next step.”

Our Clear + Brilliant system is Fraxel’s sweetest little sister.  Made by the same company, Clear + Brilliant is almost identical technology to the Fraxel, but goes about 1/2 as deep and is 1/10th the intensity.  Like it's big sister, this is a fractionated resurfacing therapy with the potential for two treatments in one.  We can easily and safely target the deeper collagen producing layer or the surface layers that hold the pigmentation.  When this laser was first released, the goal was thought to be preventive therapy, but the industry soon realized this treatment was GOLD!  Gradually, we can erase those fine lines and obliterate that pigment with almost no downtime! 

Here is what you need to know.  When you arrive on the day of treatment, we will remove any make-up and take a quick set of pre-treatment photos.  Next, we will apply numbing cream and you will relax in our treatment room for about 30 minutes.  During this time, we will discuss the details of this treatment and your care instructions.  When your skin is good and numb, we will remove the cream and cleanse the skin.  The treatment itself feels warm and prickly like the Fraxel, but a less intense.  After about 15-20 minutes, we will apply ice packs for about 5-10 minutes.  Lastly, we will apply some of our proprietary skin care products and send you on your way.  The redness that develops during the treatment can last a few hours, but generally dissipates by the next morning.  Instead of peeling, the outer layer of skin falls off like sand off a sandcastle.  This is impossible to see, but sometimes you can feel a sandpaper texture on the surface of the skin for a few days.  A few days later, a fresh new layer appears with less lines, less pigment, and an event-ready glow.  Because of the gentle nature of  Clear + Brilliant, we often do a series of 3 to 6 treatments to really get that wow factor. 

 

Why should I pick MicroNeedling + PRP treatment?

“Help! I have acne scarring and nothing is helping.”

“I want firmer, toned skin with a smoother texture!”

“Laser isn’t safe for me, but I want to treat my pigmentation!”

“I have scars/stretch marks and I don’t want to do a surgical revision!”

First of all, I think it is important to understand that “microneedling” is a bit of a general term and often misunderstood.  There are even “at home” devices that could be considered “microneedling,” so it is very confusing when trying to learn more about it.  In our clinic, we use an FDA approved device, called the SkinPen, that is considered “medical grade” microneedling.  You would not find this type of device at a spa, sold online, or at a facialist’s office.  Our device has 14 proprietary sterile needles that can go as deep as 2.5 mm, meaning all the way through the skin in some areas!  The benefits of being able to go to such depths is colossal and means we can do so much more than the non-medical-grade products.  This caliber of technology has become the Gold Standard for treating acne scarring of all types, but also can treat pigmentation is darker skin, stretch marks, surgical or traumatic scars, and skin laxity or loss of tone! 

We often pair this treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from our patients’ blood.  We take a little blood at the beginning of the treatment and we extract all the important nutrients, healer cells, and collagen stimulating cells.  We can then use this ‘liquid gold’ on the surface of the skin, similar to the vampire facial, needled into the skin with our SkinPen, or we can inject it into areas that might need a little extra love.  You may have heard of PRP for hair growth and yes, that is one more amazing use for it!  This combination has become a game changer in our world! 

Here is what you need to know about Microneedling.  On the day of your treatment, you will first have a quick set of pre-treatment photos taken.  We will then apply numbing cream for about 45 minutes.  During this time, we will discuss all the details, instructions, and everything you need to know.  We will go through the consent form together and make sure all your questions are answered.  After your skin is good and numb, we will remove the cream and cleanse the skin.  We will also sterilize the skin with cleanser similar to what is used in surgery.  If we are using PRP during the treatment, we will apply it while we are treating the skin.  The treatment itself can take up to about 45 minutes depending on some of the details.  Patients often describe it as feeling “just like tiny needles,” but it is very tolerable.  Some patients will have tiny dots of bleeding on the surface, but most often, redness is the primary after effect.  A few days later, the redness will improve, and a very mild amount of peeling can occur.  Because we are stimulating the growth of new collagen in the deeper layers, the results can take a few weeks to completely develop.  The process of building new collagen is completely based on the individual, their age, their health, and their ability to heal, but we often say 6-8 weeks is the maximum.  For the most optimal results in things like acne scarring, surgical or traumatic scarring, skin texture, or skin tone, we will likely require several treatments.  We often start with 3 and re-evaluate a few weeks after the third treatment. 

 

If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, reach out via the "Message Us" link on the website. We can't wait to discuss the perfect treatment for you! 

Join us for The Natural State: Skin Event at our office on Wednesday October 16, 2019 from 6:30-8:30pm for some exclusive deals on all of the above treatments and more! "Message Us" to RSVP and get on the list. 

Author
Lauren Mitschrich PA-C Lauren is Center's Board Certified Physician Assistant and specializes in Cosmetic, Medical, and Surgical Dermatology. Her passion for all things aesthetic and "natural look" approach make her a unique perspective for our patients. She brings her love of aesthetics and dermatology to Center, practicing at the intersection of art & science with her patients - she understands the physiology of your skin, the building blocks of your beauty, and the trust you put in her to help you become the best version of you, ever.

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