Skin Rejuvenation: Microdermabrasion, Laser and IPL, and Chemical Peels

Sometimes, all we really want is a little lift to look our best. As we age, the skin becomes duller, we develop fine lines and discoloration, and we'd like to recapture some of that clean, even, youthful glow.

The signs of aging show up in the complexion in a number of ways, in age spots, fine wrinkling, dullness, and loss of elasticity.

Today's cosmetic surgeons offer many non-surgical procedures designed torejuvenate the appearance of the skin by removing the rough, uneven outer layers, and by stimulating the production of collagen and new skin cells, leaving a cleaner, fresher, more youthful looking complexion.

There are three general types of skin rejuvenation procedure commonly used today:

• Microdermabrasion, a procedure for buffing the outer layer of skin to reveal the new skin beneath.
• Chemical peels, in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to reveal fresh layers of new skin.
• Laser and IPL, procedures in which the skin is treated with devices that target beams of intense light at specific areas of skin, to treat various skin problems.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenation process in which a technician runsa small handheld device over the surface of your skin, gently buffing the rough outer layers with a stream of tiny crystals, stimulating the production of new skin cells and collagen, and leaving you with a fresher, younger looking complexion.

Microdermabrasion might be done only once, or for more drastic results, the procedure can be repeated until the desired results are obtained. Microdermabrasion can be used to correct skin problems including crows' feet and other fine wrinkling, acne scarring, age spots, and dull complexions.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are procedures in which chemicals are applied to the top layer of skin, causing the outer skin to slough off, revealing the fresh, new skin beneath.

Available in a variety of strengths and formulations, chemical peels can be used to correct problems such as fine wrinkling, acne scarring, age spots, uneven pigmentation, and precancerous skin growth. Talk to an experienced cosmetic surgeon who can recommend the right formulation for your specific skin problems.

Laser and IPL procedures

Using a small handheld device, the technician targets the skin with intense light (either laser light or IPL, intense pulsed light), targeted to specific areas of skin, depending on the type of problems the procedure is intended to address. Laser and IPL procedures can be used to address problems such as rosacea, spider veins, sun damage, wrinkling, enlarged pores, and a dull complexion.

Procedures for light therapy fall into two broad categories: Ablative procedures, and non-ablative procedures.

Ablative procedures work similarly to dermabrasion and chemical peels, targeting the outer layer of skin, or the epidermis, and revealing the fresh, undamaged layers of skin underneath. In an ablative procedure, the technician targets a beam of laser light at the facial skin, causing the outer layer of skin to slough off.

Non-ablative procedures direct a beam of light beneath the epidermis, to the dermal layer beneath, causing the underlying skin to produce more collagen, which makes the skin appear fresher, plumper, and more youthful.

If you're interested in bringing your complexion back to life, consult with a qualified cosmetic surgeon such as Dr. Hendricks of Newport Beach, California today to learn which procedure is right for you.