 Skin
Treatments
Fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and on the
forehead and cheek areas may be improved with a wide
range of skin treatments. For enhancing the overall
texture of the skin, there are gels, creams and lotions,
including Retin-A and products containing alphahydroxy
acids, which your plastic surgeon may prescribe for
at-home use.
Chemical
peels of varying strengths can be applied in your surgeon's
office or operating facility. A chemical peel solution
is applied to the entire face or to specific areas,
such as around the mouth, to peel away the skin's top
layers. Light chemical peels are increasingly popular
and can help correct a variety of skin problems. For
properly selected patients, several light to medium-depth
peels can often achieve results that are similar to
one deeper peel treatment, with less risk and shorter
recovery time.
A
deeper chemical peel or dermabrasion - a procedure in
which a high-speed rotary wheel, similar to fine-grained
sandpaper, is used to abrade the skin-may be recommended
for extensive sun damage, wrinkling or pockmarks. Skin
resurfacing using a carbon dioxide laser is another
technique used to reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture
and achieve some degree of skin tightening.
A
few days following a deep peel, dermabrasion or laser
skin resurfacing, a new skin emerges that is a bright
pink, resembling an intense sunburn. This color will
fade over several months and may be covered with makeup.
Permanent pigment changes, usually lighter in color,
may occur with some treatments, and your skin may also
appear shinier. Postoperative puffiness usually subsides
within a few days, but your skin will remain sensitive.
Avoid strenuous activities and exposure to sunlight
for the first few weeks, and use a sun block when going
outdoors.
BOTOX
Botox injections, used to relax the muscles, is another
method to smooth the deep, persistent lines between
the brows, forehead, and around the eyes. A 10 minute
treatment of injections will relax the muscles that
cause those lines to form and keep them relaxed for
up to several months. The results are apparent within
a few days after injection. There is no downtime or
recovery, and the patients can return to normal activity
following the treatment.
Collagen
The way your
skin looks is directly related to the way your skin
is supported. Aging, disease, and injury are some of
the factors that can weaken the collagen fibers that
give your skin its underlying strength. In the 1970's,
injectable collagen became available. Made of highly
purified bovine collagen, this material can be injected
into your skin to supplement your body's own collagen
and actually fill certain lines and facial furrows.
For
more information on facial rejuvenation procedures,
please click on a procedure below.
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