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 Unfortunately
we can't stop the march of time. However our collective desire to stay
forever young has created an enormous market for anti-ageing treatments.
Until recently the overwhelming majority of such treatments involved the
use of lotions and moisturizers or cosmetic surgery to improve the
appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However recent developments in
laser technology are now delivering a longer lasting scientifically
proven method of restoring the natural beauty of the skin.
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What causes lines and wrinkles?
When a person is young they don't have wrinkles because the skin is
moist and elastic. As a person ages the skin cells in the epidermis
become thinner and less 'sticky'. As a result the skin cells begin
to lose moisture more easily causing the skin to dry. In addition
less collagen is produced in the dermis, which is responsible for
skin firmness, and the elastin fibres begin to wear out (elastin is
responsible for 'bounce' and resilience), while the skin also thins
as it loses fat in the subcutaneous layer. Combined these changes
cause the skin to sag and wrinkle.
One of the principal factors responsible for the aging of the skin
is exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun (80-90%). These rays
damage the collagen and dry the skin out. Other factors that can
accelerate aging are poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking.
The first signs of the aging process begin in the late 20s and
accelerate in subsequent decades. Initial signs are horizontal lines
across the brow, droopy eyelids and 'crow's feet' around the corners
of the eyes. After the menopause the ability of a woman's skin to
renew itself is further reduced.
There are a whole host of topical
lotions and moisturizes available on the market that have little
long-term impact on the aging process. However it has been shown
that a regular daily cleansing and moisturizing regime, coupled with
the use of sunblock can help to maintain the moisture and elasticity
of the skin.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to smooth the skin's top layers
through a method of controlled surgical scraping. Dermabrasion is
commonly used to improve the look of facial skin left scarred by
surgery, or on fine facial wrinkles. Dermaplaning is commonly used
to treat deep acne scars. Neither treatment will remove all scars or
prevent aging.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning may be performed under local
anesthesia, which numbs the area, combined with a sedative to make
you drowsy. In severe cases, general anesthesia is required.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning usually take from a few minutes to
over an hour depending on how much skin is treated. When scarring is
deep the procedure may have to be repeated.
In dermabrasion, the surgeon scrapes away the outermost layer of
skin with a rough motorized wire brush (or a burr containing diamond
particles). In dermaplaning the surgeon uses an instrument that
resembles an electric razor to 'shave' off the surface layers of
skin that surround the craters or other facial defects.
The procedure will leave the skin red and swollen. It is often
necessary to prescribe painkillers to treat post-operative aching. A
scab or crust will form over the treated area as it begins to heal.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels use chemical solutions to remove the outer layers of
the skin. Although peels are usually performed for cosmetic reasons,
they may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne scars
and control acne. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
and phenol are used for this purpose. Anesthesia is not normally
required for most peels, however sedation may be used to relax the
patient.
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are mild, light peels used to treat fine
wrinkling. AHA peels may cause stinging, redness, irritation and
crusting.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is most commonly used for medium-depth
peeling to treat surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment
problems. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than with
a phenol peel. Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and
produces a deep peel for coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or
sun-damaged skin, or pre-cancerous growths.
After an AHA peel, the skin will be dry and red and some temporary
flaking or scaling may be experienced. After a phenol or TCA peel,
mild painkillers may be prescribed to relieve post-operative pain.
Both TCA and Phenol peels may cause significant swelling, while
phenol peels may cause the eyes to become temporarily swollen shut.
With a TCA peel, the discomfort and swelling will subside within the
first week. In about a week to ten days, the skin should be healed
enough to return to normal activities. With a phenol peel this may
take up to two weeks.
Fotona's Nd:YAG family of lasers
including our new Fotona fractional erbium laser, use a laser beam
to gently vaporize a thin layer of the epidermis. The heat from the
laser energy also stimulates the production of new collagen in the
dermis. The overall result is that new skin forms which is smoother
and tighter. Consequently laser resurfacing can remove nearly all
fine wrinkles while significantly improving deeper more dynamic
wrinkles.
Unlike traditional treatments such as dermabrasion and chemical
peels the unique characteristics of lasers mean that your doctor can
have much more accurate and precise control over the treatment,
especially how deep the laser penetrates your skin.
Most patients that have undergone laser resurfacing compare the
sensation to having sunburn or having an elastic band snapped across
the skin. Consequently anesthesia is usually not required.
An additional benefit of laser resurfacing is that the healing and
recovery period is faster than with traditional treatments, though
as with all treatments because the new skin is sensitive it is
necessary to apply special moisturizers post-operatively and to
protect the skin from the sun for 6-12 months.
Of course no therapy can prevent aging and wrinkles will re-appear
in time requiring additional treatments to keep the skin looking
young.
Lasers
work by stimulating collagen production, decreasing the appearance of
lines and wrinkles in many body areas including the face, hands, neck
and chest. Because the action of laser skin rejuvenation is
non-ablative (does not remove any skin) there are many benefits over
other traditional laser procedures. The laser treatment is quick,
offers no downtime, has minimal discomfort, and has a very low risk of
any complications. Patients will experience progressive improvement
over several months for a fresh, natural look.
The
MedLite laser used for skin rejuvenation is one of the safest lasers
on the market today. In the hands of trained medical professionals,
the MedLite laser offers a safe and effective treatment with very
little risk of complications. Patients of all skin types can be safely
treated - including tanned skin.
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Call
Coastal Skin Center now to set up an appointment 207.667.2422 or
888.379.5664
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