Skin renewal and rejuvenation

What is skin renewal and rejuvenation?

Aging is caused by exposure to sun, genetics, nutrition, alcohol consumption, smoking, life style and high stress levels.

Birth control pills, pregnancy, excessive tanning causes pigment changes and creates skin stains. During puberty, acne and other skin imperfections occur.

These can be addressed by various skin renewal options available. The goal of skin renewal is peeling the skin layers to enable new skin to form, thus rejuvenation.

There are three skin renewal techniques

1. Chemical peeling
2.Dermabrasion
3. Laser rejuvenation

These three techniques enable the renewal of under layers of the skin, creating fresher tissue and collagen, expanding their volume and increase in quantity, thus firming the skin. As the removal of dead surface tissue enables new layers of skin to form, its results are outstanding.

Appropriate candidates for skin rejuvenation

• Damage due to long term sun exposure
• If you have vertical lines around the lips
• If you have crow feet lines at outer extremities of the eyes
• If you have fine lines on your eyelids
• If you have brown marks on your skin
• If you have acne or pock marks, you are an appropriate candidate

There is no age limit for skin rejuvenation; it can be applied at any age. The best technique to be applied should be determined by your doctor, as each condition may require a different technique. The method selected has an important role in healing time and results obtained. Skin rejuvenation my be combined with other applications.

Treatment process

Penetration to skin levels must be carefully chosen with each application to avoid complications. Therefore, repeat applications must be done to achieve complete results, two or three sessions mat be required.

1.    Chemical peeling

Chemical peeling can be applied to select areas or the entire face. There are several options to choose from

• Solutions with AHA (alfa hidroksil acid)
Selected for surface peelings and are derived from fruits and there are many options. They are effective on satins and wrinkles.

Glicolic acid: Can be used during single or repeat applications. A follow up solution will be provided for home care as well. Make up can be applied immediately after application and there are no side effects other than slight stinging.

Trikcoroasetic Acid k (TCA): Can be applied on the face and body for treatment of wrinkles and stains. It is preferred to use on small areas such as the mouth or eyes

• Other chemicals
Phenol peeling:  Is used on thickened skin which is damaged by the sun, it eliminates fine lines and lessens deeper ones, corrects pigmentation. Due to severe side effects to the heart, liver and kidneys, it is no longer used by certified doctors.

2. Dermabrasion

There are many ways to apply dermabrasion to peel the skin to cure marks and scar tissue. Local anesthesia is used when applied to smaller areas and general anesthesia if applied to large surfaces.

3. Laser

The energy level and penetration depth of the rays are selected depending on the area and severity of the problem. It is used to cure wrinkles and stains. The skin thickness is an important factor in determining if the patient is a suitable candidate. The best laser available is the new generation Erbuim laser due to its sensitivity and problem free penetration levels.

Post treatment

If required, protective ointments must be applied, in some cases, bandages will be used. Applications may cause swelling and redness. Male patients should refrain from shaving. New skin will start developing within 10 days of application, and during this time, make up may be used to camouflage effects. The patient should refrain from lying down, excessive exercise.
Selective skin care will be prescribed to extend the effects of the rejuvenation.