What causes fine lines and wrinkles?
Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of the aging process. As we grow older our skin becomes dryer and less elastic. Most people begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles by the age of 30 or 35. However, overexposure to the sun can greatly enhance the aging process. Sun exposure promotes the formation of deep wrinkles and furrows, along with changes in pigment and skin texture.
How can someone avoid fine lines and wrinkles?
Avoiding overexposure to the sun should be the key element of any skin care regimen. Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 should be used on the face every day. Staying out of the sun when it is at its peak (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) is also advisable.
Are topicals available to treat fine lines and wrinkles?
Topical application of prescription drugs, most notably synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A (retinoids), can improve the appearance of sun-damaged and aging skin. For instance, topicals can be effective in diminishing fine wrinkles. However, most tretinoins are skin irritants and often produce skin reactions. In addition, any visible improvement may disappear when use of the drug is discontinued.
How does laser resurfacing treat fine lines and wrinkles?
With facial resurfacing, a high-energy beam of infrared light is used to vaporize lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other skin irregularities, layer by layer. This process also stimulates the formation of dermal collagen to improve elasticity and support for the skin.
Are laser resurfacing treatments safe?
Lasers have been used in cosmetic surgery for more than 20 years and have been proven to provide safe, predictable and effective results when used by trained physicians on appropriately selected patients. Alternative treatments, such as deep chemical peels and dermabrasion, have largely been replaced by laser procedures due to the precision and uniformity that laser resurfacing provides.
What is the difference between a light and deep laser skin resurfacing?
The precision of laser resurfacing allows physicians to tailor treatment according to the needs of every patient. Some patients choose deeper resurfacing for its maximum effect, while others require only light resurfacing or desire a faster recovery. In either case, the UltraPulse laser treats and provides significant cosmetic improvement for fine lines and wrinkles.
What recovery time is needed for facial resurfacing?
With moderate to deep resurfacing, the skin goes through an initial healing period, which includes crusting that typically lasts seven to ten days. At this point, most patients return to normal activities and makeup may be applied. The fresh, new skin will be reddish pink, a good sign that healing is taking place and that blood is nourishing the growth of new skin cells. This redness gradually fades within four to twelve weeks depending on skin type and depth of laser treatment. Lightly resurfaced patients can typically return to normal activities within four to five days, and redness disappears within three to five weeks. Of course, adhering to physician's instructions for post-operative care will aid in the healing process.
How do laser resurfacing and IPL™ Skin Treatments compare?
Skin resurfacing with the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser may be the most effective treatment for those with skin marked by fine lines, shallow and deep wrinkles, and inconsistent coloring. However, this type of ablative resurfacing, which actually removes the very thin outermost layer of your skin, is not unlike surgery. Patients require careful follow-up care for healing, and most must set aside considerable recovery time — up to several weeks for initial swelling and redness to dissipate. Total recovery may take months. For patients who have the option of taking this time, effort and expense, the dramatic result can be quite satisfying.
Today, there is another approach for patients who are frustrated with the visible signs of aging, including the changes in red and brown color tones and the early changes in skin texture. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation, a patented technology, is ideal for this group. The procedure does not remove any outer layers of skin, and as a result there is no recovery time. The photorejuvenation process allows intense pulses of light to penetrate to the deeper, dermal layer of the skin and treat aging and sun-induced changes, including tiny blood vessels, spotty pigment and unsightly blotches. The photorejuvenation process leaves the skin smooth and soft, with a youthful freshness and a very satisfying overall result.
It's important to have realistic expectations about any procedure. Older patients with deep wrinkles and skin folds may require facelift surgery or UltraPulse laser skin resurfacing to achieve desired results. But those simply seeking a "refreshed" complexion — a reversal of rosacea symptoms and pigment problems, a brightening of the skin and a smoother texture with smaller pores — might want to consider IPL Skin Treatments.