Microderma-What? Skin Resurfacing for the Beauty Novice

If you’ve ever seen the Sex & the City episode during which Samantha Jones wears a widow-like veil for days to hide her red, oozing and swollen facial skin after her chemical peel, you’ve likely been scared away from doing any skin resurfacing treatments. However, there are many non-invasive alternatives to skin resurfacing that don’t make you hide in the shadows for days or weeks just to look a few years younger or get rid of a minor skin problem. Treatments like microdermabrasion, FotoFacial skin rejuvenation, Skin Tightening and Affrim are all non-invasive options to help you look your best.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a simple alternative to more invasive options like chemical peels. Microdermabrasion is very comfortable procedure and requires no anesthetic. The procedure also has no downtime so it can even be done on your lunch hour. Most patients we treat will receive a series of treatments so over time, the most visible effects are seen.

To the beauty novice, microdermabrasion may sound more like something you’d find inside your computer than something you’d get done to your face. Microdermabrasion is actually defined by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as a skin-freshening technique that repairs facial skin. The aesthetic professionals that perform microdermabrasion use a device that sprays tiny crystals onto the skin and uses suction to remove the crystals and dead skin the treatment removes. The treatment is very similar to a deep exfoliation or deep facial.

The easiest way to think about microdermabrasion is to equate it to a mini (and much gentler) sandblaster for your face. Microdermabrasion is a very effective method of reducing fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots on the surface of the skin, mild acne and even the appearance of scars. Post-treatment, moisturizing the area treated is very important to help cell regeneration.

FotoFacial Skin Rejuvenation

At our laser centers, we offer microdermbrasion in combination with our FotoFacial skin rejuvenation treatment. FotoFacial skin rejuvenation produces superior results in reducing wrinkles, because it delivers energy at both the top layer of the skin as well as deeper layers all while smoothing and toning the skin. The FotoFacial treatment uses a combination of laser (light) energy and radio frequency to target discolored skin areas, pigmented lesions, as well as stimulating the creation of new collagen. We couple the laser-based FotoFacial skin rejuvenation treatment with microdermabrasion to generate additional collagen production beneath the skin surface, plumping the skin, creating a more even texture and reducing fine lines and unwanted pigmentation.

Skin Tightening

The newest capability in virtual facelifts comes in the form of a treatment called skin tightening. Skin tightening is a non-invasive procedure helps remove wrinkles, tighten the skin and improve skin laxity on the neck and face. Laser energy-based skin tightening boosts production of collagen that fills in wrinkles at the jaw line; along the brow line; and around the eyes, mouth and cheeks. It’s a much more comfortable process than injections of foreign materials like Botox or Restylane, yet generates similar results. It can make wrinkles in the forehead disappear; helping to lift the brow line as well as iron out dreaded Crow’s feet. It uses a natural method to restore young-looking skin.

Affirm

To complement the benefits of skin tightening, the Affirm treatment also helps reduce the slink flaws caused by sun damage or acne, such as age spots and scarring. Affirm uses fractional laser technology to smooth both scars and wrinkles, while evening out any uneven skin tone. Fractional laser technology treats the skin by delivering tiny pinpoints of laser light in only a fraction of the area. Healthy, untreated skin is left between the treated skin areas which help the skin heal fast and minimize downtime. This treatment helps prefect the overall appearance of the skin, leaving you with an even-toned, flawless appearance.

Skin surface repair treatments can stave off wrinkles making plastic surgery unnecessary. These types of treatments can give your skin a more youthful, fresh look but they cannot remove deep scars or prevent aging so will require maintenance treatments for a consistent glow. When choosing a treatment provider, look for someone who has before and after photos of patients they can share with you, as well as thorough training in the most up-to-date treatments in skin resurfacing before starting any new treatment regimen.