Skin Rejuvenation and Skin Care

      Your skin is an organ made up of millions of living cells. Every day, thousands of these cells are replaced by new ones, formed below the surface. As we age, the process of cell replacement becomes slower. Some factors accelerate skin aging, like environmental conditions such as, sun exposure, unhealthy habits, like smoking, improper diet, and vitamin deficiencies; as well as stress; hormonal in-balance; pregnancy or menopause; and finally, your own genetic makeup.

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Skin rejuvenation may combine several different approaches depending of the individual conditions:
Helping the skin shed layers of damaged cells and exposes a new rejuvenated epidermis and a more supple dermis
 Procedures range from a light ex-foliating treatment, such as microderm abrasion. Light glycolic peel, and no or minimal downtime Photo facials and fractional resurfacing to more aggressive chemical peels and dermabrasion (co2 laser having been abandoned by lots of practitioner due to its de-pigmenting qualities!)
 The new layer is more even in color and texture, suppler with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Tightening the under surface of the skin till recently, only the domain of surgery can now be helped by  non invasive treatments such as fractional resurfacing  sometimes known by its proprietary name Fraxel and our new ACCENT  radiofrequency  F.D.A. approved cellulite treatment  which can produce substantial  tightening and fat trimming in  various parts of the body.

Skin rejuvenation procedures are not limited to the face and neck area. Some of these treatments can also be used for the hands, arms, upper chest, abdomen, thighs and back. The end result is a healthier, more youthful, firmer, smoother and refreshed appearance.
Depending on the type of procedure, time away from work can range from none to two weeks (deep peels).
 Outdoor activity may be limited for several weeks, depending on the depth of skin rejuvenating procedure performed. With any of these procedures, skin cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, proper diet and exercise are all important to keep your skin looking healthy and refreshed.
Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are used to improve superficial wrinkles, blotchy pigmentation, and other signs of sun damage. They are also helpful in treating superficial scars, and can improve some pigmentary problems. A chemical with varying degrees of concentration is applied to the skin, which removes the top layer (of skin), leaving the patient with a sunburned appearance. Ointments and lotions are used to keep the skin moist and no bandages are necessary. The skin will usually peel within 5-7 days, and make-up can then be subtly applied. The chemicals with the lightest strengths are Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) such as glycolic acids, they produce a mild exfoliation and requires  serial applications.35% Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is  frequently used in our Clinique  A single treatment may be all that is necessary to give your skin a fresher, healthier appearance and glow. In some cases, the chemical can be applied to just the area needed (such as crow's feet). In most cases, no anesthesia is needed, and you will feel only a tingling or mild stinging sensation when the solution is applied. Recovery will vary with the depth of the peel, and is typically completed within several days.
Dermabrasion

A small high speed spinning wheel with a roughened surface is used to level the skin, removing the upper layers. Going deeper than a chemical peel, dermabrasion is often the best choice for treating acne facial scars and deeper wrinkles in localized area, especially on the upper lip or traumatic scars.
Laser Resurfacing

The effects of laser resurfacing are similar to chemical peels and dermabrasion, except that the laser removes layers of skin by vaporization instead of chemicals or a sanding device.  . Healing usually takes a couple of weeks. These days, the CO2 laser has become less popular because of its tendency to depigment skin permanently in up to 40% of the cases.
I.P.L. or intense pulsed light photofacials, Fractionnal Resurfacing
For fine wrinkles and blemishes, slight skin looseness we often  recommend our Intensive Skin Management Program (ISMP) which with virtually no downtime, combines topical cosmeceuticals, microdermabrasion, and Palomar Intense Pulse Light (IPL)and Palomar fractionnal resurfacing   to achieve remarkable improvement in skin texture, evenness, and freshness.
 

Before	After

For a personal and confidential consultation, call the Clinique of Plastic Surgery at (727)592-0991 or (800)767-9166 to schedule your appointment today!

As with any medical procedure, there are certain inherent risks that should be discussed. Costs vary depending upon the extent of the surgery and areas treated. Please contact Dr. Drehsen and the Clinique of Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.