Micro Laser Peel vs. Chemical Peel

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Dr. Michael Will

chemical peelBoth a micro laser peel and a chemical peel are used to treat skin conditions associated with aging and active lifestyles such as:

  • Mild wrinkles
  • Smile lines
  • Scars
  • Freckles
  • Keratosis (pre-cancerous legions)
  • Sun damage
  • Uneven pigmentation

They work by removing damaged outer layers of skin to improve skin texture to give the complexion a more youthful, vibrant glow. Both procedures are ideal for patients who want lasting results, with minimal downtime or post-treatment care.

Micro Laser Peel: A micro laser peel uses laser technology to resurface the skin. During treatment, a laser hand piece is used to scan over the treatment areas. A very thin layer of skin is removed and damaged cells are destroyed. The entire procedure generally lasts 15 to 30 minutes and most patients experience little or no discomfort.

The healing process varies from patient to patient, but generally lasts between two and four days. During recovery, it’s common to feel as though your skin has been sunburned. It will appear pink or red, and it’s likely that you will experience some minor peeling.

Your laser peel before and after results will depend on the depth of your laser peel. Results are immediate, but multiple micro laser peels are usually needed to achieve desired results. They can be performed four to six weeks apart.

Chemical Peel: A chemical peel uses a chemical solution (usually acid-based) to remove outer layers of skin. Chemical peels are divided into superficial, medium, and deep peels. Deep phenol chemical peels (which usually require significant downtime) have almost entirely been replaced by laser resurfacing. While light-to-medium peels remain a popular way to refresh the skin.

Once the chemical solution has been applied to the face, treatment usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Light chemical peels essentially have zero downtime, but as a result require multiple treatments to see dramatic improvements.

Heavier chemical peels will cause your skin to appear red and swollen for a few days. Over the course of a week, the skin will become crusty and eventually start to flake and peel. Significant improvements are noticeable after a single treatment, but more than one may be necessary to achieve desired results.

Which is better?

The best procedure for you will ultimately depend on your skin type and tone, as well as your cosmetic goals. Scheduling a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist is the best way to find out.

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How to Treat Large Pores

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Briana

large poresPores are microscopic openings at the surface of the skin. They provide a way for the body to flush out toxins, regulate body temperature and moisturize overly dry skin. We need pores to stay healthy and the average human face has thousands.

That being said, enlarged pores are a bothersome cosmetic concern for many people.  Fortunately there are a number of ways to treat large pores with lasers, proper skin care and other topical methods.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

Pores may appear enlarged for a number of reasons:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Too much sun exposure
  • Increased oil production
  • Naturally due to age
  • Smoking

Dirt, oil and dead skin cells tend to collect around pores, making them appear even larger.

Switching Up Your Skin Care Routine

There are number of ways to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, starting with your daily skin routine. Washing your skin daily is vital to a healthy, vibrant complexion. Just make sure to use a mild cleanser and exfoliant so that your skin doesn’t become overly dry. The body responds to dry skin by increasing oil production, which could exaggerate the appearance of already enlarged pores.

Daily sunscreen is also important. Protecting your skin with an SPF of 15 or higher will prevent the rims of your pores from becoming thicker and enlarged. Depending on your skin, a combination of topical treatments may also be recommended such as retinoids, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or benzoyl peroxides to further minimize the appearance of your pores.

Professional Treatments for Large Pores

If switching up your skin care routine simply isn’t enough, there are a number of professional treatments that may help eliminate large pores, including:

You will need to schedule a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to determine which approach is best for your skin.

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Solve Common Beauty Problems With These Nutrient Rich Foods

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Dr. Michael Will

We’ve all hear the saying “you are what you eat.” Well it’s true – especially when it comes to beauty.

If you’re struggling with common beauty problems like dry skin, puffy bags or premature wrinkles, it might be time to re-evaluate your diet. The nutritious (and delicious) snacks below may just be the beauty answer you’ve been looking for:

The Problem: Thin or Damaged Hair

The Fix: Whole Grains

Whole grains found in oats, quinoa and brown rice are rich in essential B vitamins which can help improve the texture and quality of your hair. They also contain silica, which can minimize hair breakage, and zinc, an important hair nutrient that prevents hair loss.

The Problem: Wrinkles

The Fix: Oily Fish

To keep your skin hydrated and wrinkle free, it’s important to get enough omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients will keep your skin hydrated and supple. They’ll also boost your skin’s collagen production – which will prevent fine lines and wrinkles in the long run.

The Problem: Dry Skin

The Fix: Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are not only tasty – they’re also a great source of vitamin E, which can help your skin stay hydrated longer. Walnuts and flaxseeds (unsalted) will give you the best results because they’re also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

The Problem: Puffy Bags

The Fix: Avocado

Puffy under eye bags are often caused by excess fluid retention. To fix this problem, you should decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake. Avocados are rich in potassium and healthy fatty acids which can also reduce skin inflammation.

The Problem: Brittle Nails

The Fix: Egg Yolk

Egg yolks are rich in vitamin B7, zinc, iron and protein – all of which are essential to strong, healthy nails. Eating egg yolk rich foods like omelettes on a regular basis is a great way to reduce brittleness and nail abnormalities.

Source: Huffington Post

Image: Pixabay

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Should I get ablative or non-ablative laser resurfacing?

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dr. Michael Will

When used correctly, ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing are both effective rejuvenation tools for the skin. That being said, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before settling on any particular treatment.

Skin rejuvenation is known by many names: laser resurfacing, laser surgery, laser peel and more. But no matter what it’s called, all laser treatments use energy to penetrate through various layers of the skin to repair the appearance of wrinkles, discolorations, acne scars and other signs of aging.

Ablative vs. Non-Ablative

The basic difference between ablative and non-ablative treatments is that ablative lasers remove the top layer of skin, while non-ablative lasers work by heating up the underlying skin tissue (without harming the surface) so that your body will produce new collagen.

Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Ablative lasers are more invasive, making them a great option for treating mild to moderate wrinkles, facial scaring and skin discoloration.

Dramatic improvements can generally be seen after a single treatment, but most patients need two weeks or more of recovery time. During recovery, it’s common to experience some discomfort accompanied by swelling, oozing and crusting of the skin.

Ablative laser resurfacing is the best choice for patients who:

  • Show signs of significant facial aging
  • Have deep or pitted facial scars
  • Want to see significant results fast
  • Can take time off from work to recover

Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Meanwhile, non-ablative lasers are best at improving skin texture and tone. In some cases they may also be used to improve the appearance of fine lines, mild wrinkles and pigmentation issues as well.

A number of separate treatments are usually needed to see significant results, but recoveries are generally mild (especially when compared to ablative treatments). Other than some mild redness or swelling, the skin is not visibly affected, and most patients can resume normal routines right away.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing is the best choice for patients who:

  • Are relatively young (between 25 and 65 years of age)
  • Have mild to moderate signs of aging (with minimal skin sagging)
  • Are willing to undergo multiple treatments before seeing results
  • Can’t afford to take time off from work

Which laser resurfacing treatment is right for you?

The best way to find out which treatment is right for you is to schedule a personal consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. He or she will be able to make a recommendation based on your skin type and cosmetic goals.

Image Credit: Flickr

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Treatments for Men: Back Laser Hair Removal

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Dr. Michael Will

back laser hair removalBack hair. It’s one of the biggest grooming nuisances for men – especially with beach season just around the corner.

Fortunately, back laser hair removal has made the process a whole lot easier.

What is back laser hair removal?

Laser technology is one of the latest trends in hair removal. During treatment, a concentrated beam of light is aimed at the unwanted back hair. The light is then absorbed by the hair’s pigment (color), which damages the hair follicle – delaying future growth.

How Long It Takes: Each treatment session will take less than an hour, but eight treatments or more may be needed to achieve desired results.

Best Candidates: Generally speaking, laser hair removal works best on patients with light skin and dark hair. However, there are certain lasers that may still work regardless of your skin/hair color combination. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to point you in the right direction.

Final Results: Once a full series of treatments is completed, results will be long-lasting, if not permanent. Annual touch up appointments may be necessary to maintain results.

A few things to keep in mind before treatment

  • Multiple treatment sessions will be needed. Hair grows in indeterminate cycles. And for laser hair removal to be effective, hair needs to be caught in the growth phase.
  • Treatment may be a little uncomfortable. Depending on your natural pain tolerance, lasers hair removal can feel like a mild pinch or the snap of a hot rubber band. Your cosmetic surgeon may use a numbing agent to minimize discomfort.
  • You won’t be beach ready immediately following treatment. Post-laser breakouts are common because laser hair removal leaves the hair follicles open for a few days. Using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream is a good way to prevent blemishes.

Are you interested in laser hair removal? Contact us today to set up a personal consultation.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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