Facial Rejuvenation

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure which mechanically removes varying layers of surface skin, or epidermis. After the procedure, the surface is smoother and younger looking. Dermabrasion may be used to improve the appearance of facial scarring due to acne, chicken pox, injury or other causes, as well as uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, sun damage, tattoos, age spots and certain kinds of skin lesions. It can also be used to remove pre-cancerous growths.

Dermabrasion can be performed on targeted areas of skin or the entire face, depending on each patient's individual skin condition and goals for treatment. The procedure can also be performed in combination with other treatments, such as facelift, chemical peel or scar revision, for optimal results. Dr. Lipson will determine an ideal treatment plan for you based on a thorough evaluation of your skin.

With Dermabrasion, as with all methods of skin resurfacing, the time needed for recuperating before reappearing in public varies with the depth of the treatment. This time period runs from several days to a week or ten days.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin on the face to smooth texture, reduce scarring, and remove blemishes to produce healthy, glowing skin. There are three types of chemical peels, ranging from mild to strong - alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol - and formula strengths are tailored to each patient. Peels can be combined with other procedures such as facelifts for a younger look.

Chemical peels may be performed in a plastic surgeon's office, office-based facility or outpatient surgical center. Anesthesia is not required because phenol and TCAs act as an anesthetic while AHAs produce only a slight stinging, though with any peel you may be given a sedative.

In an AHA peel, the skin is cleaned and the solution applied; there is no need for "after-peel" ointment or covering. During TCA and phenol peels, the skin is cleansed and solution is applied, which may cause a brief stinging sensation. Petroleum jelly will be applied later to soften and remove crusts painlessly.

AHA peels can cause temporary stinging, redness, irritation and flaking or crusting. Phenol and TCA peels can result in tingling or throbbing, reddened skin, a crust or scab, and significant swelling which lasts about a week, depending on the strength of the peel used. All resurfacing procedures require adequate sun protection for your new skin for a period of several months.

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