Skin Resurfacing in Birmingham AL

Skin Resurfacing Candidates

Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing is a good option for patients who are physically healthy, don't smoke, have a positive outlook and realistic goals, and are committed to protecting their skin from further sun damage.

Conditions that can be addressed with skin rejuvenation and resurfacing include:

• Static wrinkles: Wrinkles that are visible at all times and don't change with facial movements.
• Dynamic wrinkles: Wrinkles that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions.
• Pigmentation irregularities: Freckles, sun spots or other darkened patches of skin that result mainly from sun exposure.
• Scars: As a result of acne or injury, areas of skin that are wavy, pitted, discolored or have raised borders.
• Loss of skin tone: Loss of skin firmness or the development of cellulite resulting from the weakening of collagen and elastin fibers that support the skin.
• Dull skin: Skin that loses its vibrant glow from a buildup of dead skin cells and clogged pores.
• Vascular conditions: Spider veins, rosacea and other vascular issues can be readily treated with laser therapies.

Skin Resurfacing Safety

The possible risks of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing include:

• Activation of herpes zoster infection in susceptible patients.
• Burns and scarring.
• Delayed wound healing (especially for patients who have been on Accutane).
• Hypersensitivity or allergic type reactions.
• Increased susceptibility to sunburns.
• Infection.
• Pigmentation irregularities (light spots or dark spots).
• Skin surface irregularities.
• Textural changes.

Diligent sun protection is essential for the first year after skin resurfacing treatments to prevent irregular pigmentation. Careful sun protection for life will help maintain your new, younger, smoother skin.

Skin Rejuvenation Procedures

Our skin care experts can help you determine the best approach to rejuvenating your skin. Many skin conditions can be treated with a combination of treatments to gain the most effective results.

Skin Resurfacing Recovery

When your skin resurfacing procedure is completed, you will be instructed on how to care for the treated skin. Depending on the treatment, your skin can appearance can range from normal, to red and flaky, to blisters and scabbing from 1 day to 4 weeks. It's important to discuss your specific treatment plan and anticipated recovery time prior to treatment.

Skin Resurfacing Results

Skin resurfacing and rejuvenation procedures can produce a marked improvement in skin conditions and your overall appearance. With rapid advancements in technologies and treatments, you may be surprised at the improvement that can be achieved with relatively simple procedures.

Following treatment, your skin will continue to age naturally and you may develop similar conditions to those that have been treated or other new skin conditions. Patient must be committed to protecting their skin going forward for longer-lasting results.

Skin Resurfacing Words to Know

• Ablative: Resurfacing treatments that remove the uppermost layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) to varying degrees.
• Dynamic wrinkles: Expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions.
• Laser and energy therapies: Treatments that use laser energy, light energy, radio waves, ultrasonic energy or plasma energy to treat the skin.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structure that results in a loss of skin firmness or the development of cellulite.
• Nasolabial fold: Deep creases between the nose and mouth.
• Non-ablative therapy: Treatments that do not remove any skin but rather penetrate the skin or treat the skin on the surface only.
• Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, melasma or other darkened patches of skin that result mainly from sun exposure.
• Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be wavy, pitted, discolored or have raised borders.
• Static wrinkles: Wrinkles that are visible at all times.
• Tear trough: Deep crease that appears as a shadow below the lower eyelids.
• Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness.