Beauty Doc Blog

Getting medi-spa treatments can help to improve the appearance of uneven skin pigmentation.  Skin pigmentation may become irregular due to sun exposure, aging, pollutants, acne scarring and other factors.  Medi-spa treatments can even the skin tone for a more attractive appearance.

Resurfacing techniques are commonly used to help skin pigmentation.  The outer layers of skin are removed which results in tighter, smoother skin after the healing occurs.  By removing the outer layers of skin, the body is stimulated to form new collagen elastic fibers.  During the aging process, these essential fibers are broken down and lost.  By stimulating new collagen, the skin has a fresher, more even tone.

A laser or chemical peels works well to resurface the skin and even out pigmentation.  A Phenol chemical peel is quite effective, depending on your skin type, the extent of uneven pigmentation, severity of sun damage and how deep the skin imperfections are.  A laser process uses light energy made by a machine, such as carbon dioxide, to resurface the skin.  The plastic surgeon will conduct a thorough examination with the patient to decide whether a chemical peel or laser peel is the right option.

Resurfacing lasers have become a very popular method to treat fine lines, deep facial wrinkles, acne scars, precancerous sun damaged skin and abnormal pigmentation.  Lasers are often preferred by plastic surgeons because they are more controlled and precise than using dermabrasion or deep chemical peels.

A carbon dioxide resurfacing laser delivers laser energy in fast, short bursts to surface cells on a patient’s skin and vaporizes them.  The laser allows the plastic surgeon to remove one layer of skin at a time with pinpoint accuracy.  A laser gives the plastic surgeon the ability to get rid of sun damage, freckles and brown spots while removing or minimizing wrinkles by stimulating the body to product new collagen.  Unless the patient is treating a very small area, usually general anesthesia is administered prior to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.  The procedure can be performed as an outpatient.  However, many patients decide to spend a night in aftercare facilities after carbon dioxide resurfacing.

Patients should allow approximately 2 weeks to heal after laser treatment, after which makeup may be applied.  Soothing ointments are applied while the patient heals and there is little pain associated with the healing process.  After healing, the skin has a flawlessly smooth appearance.  Deep wrinkles are smoothed and reduced.  The treated skin is a reddish color for around 4 to 6 months then fades to a lighter color.  While there are some risks, the results of a laser resurface are dramatic.  Skin pigmentation evens out and acne scarring fades away after laser resurfacing.