Skin Resurfacing

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Many of our parents seek improved skin-they dislike their skin which may be aging, sun-damaged, mottled, sallow, rough, bumpy or pitted, or has acne.  We offer individual skin plans for improvement which are based on in-office “light” resurfacing (combined with at-home skin care products). This offers minimal risk, and minimal downtime. These “gentle” resurfacing treatments may include:

1. SkinMaster ultrasound facial treatments: This utilizes the gentle but effective energy of ultrasound combined with water to exfoliate, stimulate and help smooth the skin of the face and neck. Performed by our Aesthetician, we will often combine these with some light peeling agents to maximize the results.
    
2. Designer facials: These carefully designed facial treatments take advantage of gentle topical peeling solutions that may contain special blends of Vitamin C, Lactic acid, salicylic acid, TCA, plant-based enzymatic extracts, and other ingredients. We may combine this with a light massage.
    
   For example, some may be specifically designed for acne-prone skin, while another focuses in photo damaged or aging skin
    
3. Intense Pulsed Light: This is a laser-like light treatment that targets red vessels, brown spots, sun-damaged skin and pores, to help even skin color and tone. Usually a series of these are performed, and a gradual improvement in color and brightness occurs. There is no downtime associated with this.
    

Other treatments which complement skin appearance include laser treatment of small blood vessels, topical electrical stimulation of skin, and heat assisted dermal stimulation. Botox, used to weaken overactive muscles which cause wrinkles, also augments skin results. “Gentle resurfacing” techniques are good for all types of skin and all ages, but are a particularly good option for patients who cannot afford any “down time” and who like the concept of incremental improvement to their skin.
 

The “deeper peels” are designed for more wrinkled and sun damaged skin. We carefully apply a very precisely developed peeling solution, usually plant based, onto wrinkled skin. The degree of sun damage and wrinkling will help us determine which peeling agent to use. A topical wound is created, a the skin temporarily looks worse, but then gradually develops new skin, which is usually fresher, less wrinkled, pinker, and smoother than the old skin. Patients require about 7-10 days of down time, and results are very long lasting. Some surgeons use only lasers for this. There are pros and cons of either method, and patients should understand both options. Peels are good for patients with more damaged skin who can take 7-10 days off and want to see a more dramatic improvement in their skin.
 

Chatham Facial Plastic Surgery utilizes several lasers in helping the skin of our patients. There are many, many different lasers and light machines and it can be confusing to understand all of them.

We have successfully used the Prolite Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for several years. This is a laser-like light treatment which produces a beam about the size of a postage stamp that targets red vessels, brown spots, sun-damaged skin and pores, to help even skin color and tone. Usually a series of these are performed, and a gradual improvement in color and brightness occurs. There is no downtime associated with this.

The Diolite 532-wavelength laser produces a very small beam that targets red blood vessels (sometimes called spider veins), “broken capillaries”, and other hemangiomas. The energy of the laser is absorbed into the red vessels, and they can shrink and become less noticeable. Again, there is no downtime here.

We use an IPL hair reduction laser-like device to help reduce unwanted hair. This requires several sessions, works best on brunette and black hair, and can, over time, improve and shrink hair follicles.

We purposely have avoided using the CO2 resurfacing lasers. These can produce a very intense thermal burn of the skin with unwanted side effects at times. We are familiar with other lasers and laser-like devices designed to affect skin. Some of these heat the skin, some produce suction and heat, light and heat, and some combine several modalities. Some of the so-called “non wounding rejuvenation and tightening machines” sometimes produce a very subtle effect. New technology is being developed constantly, and we recommend a new device once it is clear that the results are consistent and reproducible in the average patient, as well as posing little risk.                                                          BACK TO TOP

Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Louisville, Kentucky (KY) or New Albany, Indiana (IN).