Skin Rejuvenation / Resurfacing

“Fun in the sun” becomes not so fun once you see the effects it has on your skin. Premature wrinkling is more common now than ever before. Many men and women seek facial plastic surgery to reverse the effects of sun-damaged skin.

Laser, chemical peeling and dermabrasion can improve the look of your skin and your self-esteem. Skin resurfacing can also improve acne scars and remove pre-cancerous skin growths called keratoses. Successful facial plastic surgery is a result of trust, realistic expectations, and exacting medical expertise. If you have any questions or concerns, they should always be addressed to your surgeon immediately.

The most basic element for any facial plastic surgery is good health. As mentioned before, it’s extremely important that the expectations of surgery and of the surgeon are realistic. Although skin-resurfacing procedures cannot produce perfect skin, the main focus is to improve the appearance of the skin as much as possible.

Skin type and color, ethnic background, and age are important factors that should be discussed with your surgeon. You may need to have a specialized evaluation if you have dark skin or conditions such as allergies, previous burns, a history of poor scars, or radiation exposure, to properly determine if you are a candidate for these procedures. You must also inform your surgeon if you have any episodes of cold sores and blisters around the mouth.

Before deciding on a chemical peel, dermabrasion or a laser resurfacing procedure, your facial plastic surgeon may recommend a skin care regimen before the procedure. Also, more than one procedure may be necessary if you have existing damage from aging or injury.

Expect your surgeon to examine your skin in order to assess factors that could affect the outcome of the surgery. Only then can the surgeon determine the proper procedure for your condition. Attitudes toward surgery, realistic expectations, and risks should also be discussed. This is where the trust and the start to a successful outcome of the surgery begin.

After all treatment options are discussed, you will also receive detailed information relating to each procedure. Please remember that neither chemical peels, laser therapy, or dermabrasion can eliminate sagging skin or stop the aging process. It’s also important for the skin patient to make a commitment to use sun block, as some chemical peels may turn skin color a softer and slightly lighter shade. Your surgeon will ask you about your medical history, discuss anesthesia options, the surgical facility being used, other surgical options, and the cost of the procedure.

Fraxel™ Laser

We are excited to offer the Reliant Fraxel™ Laser, a new concept in skin rejuvenation.  After thorough investigation, Dr. Cohen chose to add this comprehensive treatment to our practice as an adjunct to surgical procedures, and he recommends it often.  This new science was developed at Harvard University’s Wellman Laboratories.  It improves both the top layers of skin by reducing wrinkles and pigmented lesions such as sun spots and age spots, as well as affecting the deeper skin layers by giving the supporting tissue a boost to help the skin feel softer, smoother and tighter.  This unique approach is a huge step forward in providing significant cosmetic results with no downtime. The Fraxel Laser is the first cosmetic laser to provide an effective, gradual result that creates new healthy tissue by stimulating the body to naturally repair aging and photo-damaged skin without significant risks or recovery time.

Chemical Peel

In a chemical peel, the patient’s face is thoroughly cleansed to remove oil and to prepare the skin for deep penetration. The surgeon then applies one of several chemicals to the skin. Glycolic acid is the mildest. TCA, trichloroacetic acid, can be used in varying strengths for longer-lasting smoothness. The deepest peel is done with phenol. As the chemical is applied, the epidermis is removed, and the chemical penetrates into the first layer of the dermis.

Depending on the depth of the peel recovery can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Swelling and flaking is normal and an ointment may be applied to the skin for 7-10 days depending upon the type of peel performed. Any redness and pinkish tone of the skin usually fades within a couple of weeks or less. A soft diet, avoidance of extremes in temperature and of strenuous activities is usually recommended. It is absolutely imperative that you follow the post-operative instructions of your surgeon completely to the letter. You must notify your surgeon immediately, if you experience any increase in redness or itching in the days after your surgery.

One to two weeks after surgery, new skin will emerge that is pinkish, finer, and with improved texture. Follow-up care suggests wearing sun block to protect the skin from further damage.

We also offer other less invasive skin rejuvenation treatments including the use of retinoids and other mild anti-aging remedies.