Skin Rejuvenation

With the growth of an aging population, there is an increasing interest in restoring a youthful appearance. Signs of photo aged skin include brown spots, broken blood vessels, and fine lines and wrinkles. The process of effectively diminishing these lesions and creating a more youthful complexion is known as skin rejuvenation. IPL (intense pulsed light) and chemical peels are popular methods of skin rejuvenation. These treatments are gentle, performed by an experienced health care provider, and offer gradual results with minimal patient down time.

What is IPL? IPL or intense pulsed light is a non-invasive light-based treatment, similar to a laser, which is used to improve the appearance of freckles, age spots, vascular lesions including broken blood vessels and rosacea, and fine lines and wrinkles. It is also used for the removal of unwanted dark hair.

What does the treatment involve? Your health care provider will instruct you to avoid sunlight for a few days prior to treatment and for a few weeks after treatment. A topical anesthetic may be applied to the affected area pre-treatment. After a cooling gel is applied to the skin, a series of pulses of light are delivered through a hand piece. Average treatments are about 20 minutes long.

What can be expected after treatment? Sun block is applied after treatment. Usually there is a little redness, which resolves in the hours after treatment. Also, there may be a slight, temporary darkening of some areas of the skin. Patients can go back to work or school immediately after treatment. Usually, a treatment course consists of 4-8 treatments 2-4 weeks apart.

What is a chemical peel? Chemical peels are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. They are most commonly used to treat the aging face and acne. Peels are categorized based on the depth of the procedure: superficial, medium or deep. Peel ingredients vary and can include glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid and combinations of each. Most peels performed in physician’s offices are superficial and medium depth peels and have minimal down time.

What does the treatment involve? Your healthcare provider will instruct you to avoid sunlight for a few days prior to treatment and for a few weeks after treatment. You may also be instructed to discontinue certain topical medications before and after treatment. The skin is cleansed and the peel is applied to the skin surface. Some peels require a "neutralization" step where an additional layer is applied. Mild, temporary tingling may occur with superficial peels. A fan may be used for patient comfort.

What can be expected after treatment? Sun block is applied after treatment. Ask your healthcare provider about what to expect after the procedure. Depending on the active ingredient used and the depth of the peel, the post-peel circumstances may differ. For the superficial and some medium depth peels, patients may go to back to work or school immediately after treatment. For best results, a series of peels may need to be performed about 4-6 weeks apart.

Andrea Cambio , M.D.