Skin resurfacing

Aging, wrinkles, sun damage, acne, and scars are reasons why the skin changes, especially on the face. Skin stops looking youthful, smooth, and healthy. Attractive skin is a desirable feature in our society. When cosmetics and medications fail to do enough to reverse the problems, a variety of skin resurfacing procedures can, such as dermabrasion, microbrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing.

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that affects deeper layers of the skin. It may be useful for removing disfiguring marks (such as deep acne scars or deep wrinkles) and skin left scared by accidents of previous surgery. Dermabrasion uses a rotating brush that removes the top layers of a person's skin. After the procedure, the treated skin oozes and forms a scab. Although unsightly and uncomfortable, this is only temporary.

Microbrasion is a gentler variation and uses very tiny crystals to polish the skin and a vacuum technique to remove them. No anesthetic is required and there are virtually no side effects. Microbrasion is an excellent alternative for skin that is sensitive to chemical procedures. It gives the skin an overall fresh, healthy looking glow. Mild and temporary redness occurs after treatment. Five or 6 repetitive treatments every 1 or 2 weeks yield the best results.

Often chemical peeling is used to treat fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth. This procedure can reduce or eliminate wrinkles caused by aging, hereditary factors, and sun damage. Severe wrinkles, sags, and bulges do not respond well to chemical peeling. Chemical peels use a chemical solution to strip off the top layer of skin. New, younger skin grows back. Any one or a combination of chemical acid solutions are used. Some primary acids are:

• alpha hydroxy acid (such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid)
• trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or
• carbolic acid (phenol)

The type of peel determines the type of skin reaction. The reaction following a chemical peel is similar to a sunburn. Superficial peels involve redness that is followed by scaling for 3 to 7 days. Medium-depth and deep peeling usually produce swelling and water blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off in 7 to 14 days. Pain medication may be required before or after a deep peel procedure.

Laser resurfacing uses a precise beam of laser light to vaporize away layers of the skin and can be combined with other cosmetic procedures. It is currently the most effective exfoliation tool for eliminating wrinkles. Laser resurfacing is a brief outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. For the first few days after surgery, the face is bright red, sore, oozing, and itchy. Skin grows back in about a week. Make-up can be worn after 7 to 14 days. It may take 3 to 4 months for all the redness to go away.

There are risks and complications that can occur with any of these surgical procedures. Most procedures are performed in an outpatient setting. Before agreeing to a procedure, find out as much as possible about the best procedure for you, the risks involved, and the healthcare provider you may be considering. Always select a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with training and experience in the procedure you want done. Dermatologists and many plastic surgeons perform all three procedures -- dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing. Others may prefer one or a combination of techniques for all surface repairs.

It is important that you have realistic expectations and clearly understand what the procedure can do for you. Health insurance does not usually cover cosmetic surgery such as laser resurfacing. Call your health plan to find out about your benefits.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File COSM3494.rf2 VRS# 4359 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2002-2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.