Skin Rejuvenation
Skin Rejuvenation - Surgical Procedures
To my patients:
There are numerous non invasive treatments to improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles. However, when wrinkles are very deep and surface skin damage severe, only a more aggressive physical removal of the upper skin layers will attain the result that patients desire. These procedures all have the same thing in common; an improved result with a prolonged recovery and discomfort. Most of my patients feel the recovery is worth the result.
I commonly combine the more aggressive procedures discussed in this section with a few non ablative laser treatments afterward. The use of post treatment laser procedures dramatically reduces down time and skin redness, improves healing, reduces loss of skin pigmentation and enhances the result.
It has been my observation over 30 years that there is always something new in cosmetic skin rejuvenation. Unfortunately, not all new techniques work as advertised. I only recommend techniques and strategies that are safe, predictable and that in my experience give proven results.
Harry Galoob MD
The Buff Peel A combination of Dermabrasion-(Facial sanding)- and a chemical peel-the best of both worlds
Throughout history, people who have been distressed and embarrassed by disfigurement of their facial skin have searched for ways to improve these imperfections. There are several excellent procedures available to improve facial scarring, including deep chemical peeling and dermabrasion. Facial dermabrasion is a surgical procedure in which skin, scarred from acne, pox or other causes is "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument. The abrasive smoothing action evens out the skin to give it a smoother more pleasing contour. Chemical peeling is a process of applying chemicals (acid) to the skin surface to remove the upper layers. Both are excellent procedures. I have successfully used both techniques extensively over the past 30 years. The combination of the two is predictable with few problems.
A light facial peel is performed using TCA (Tri Chlor Acetic Acid) over the entire face. Dermabrasion is then performed. This allows treatment of both the pore size (a condition better addressed by the peel) and the broader skin irregularities such as wrinkles, acne scars, etc. (conditions better addressed by dermabrasion). Blending is more natural since the peel solution can be used near the hairline and other border areas. The procedure is performed in Dr. Galoob's AAAHC office surgical suite. Anesthesia varies from light to deep sedation and local anesthesia. This combined technique of peeling plus sanding allows the procedure to be performed with minimal bleeding and discomfort. Patients are not bandaged after treatment. The procedure lasts from thirty to sixty minutes depending upon the condition of the skin and the extent of the area involved. A crust appears during early healing. It loosens and falls off in several days and new pink skin appears. Most patients can expect at least 50% improvement in their skin surface texture and quality after treatment. The final result varies, depending on the initial condition of the patient and the extent of surgery. In most cases, a single procedure achieves the desired results. In some cases, additional procedures may be indicated.
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing A New Age Treatment That Improves Sun Damaged Skin and Wrinkles with reduced recovery
Laser resurfacing was introduced several years ago with C02 (carbon dioxide) lasers. Instead of a continuous laser beam that removed a complete patch of skin in the treatment area, the New Age technology spreads the laser beam into thousands of tiny spots, leaving normal skin behind to heal more rapidly. This means the procedure is faster, more comfortable more predictable and safer than previous technology. Healing is much faster and recovery much shorter. Patients treated with this New Age Laser technology can often have the procedure performed with only topical anesthesia.
The procedure is performed in Dr. Galoob's office as a local anesthetic procedure or with sedation. Protective contact lenses are placed against the cornea of the eye for protection against stray laser light. The procedure lasts from thirty to sixty minutes.
For a few days, the raw skin weeps and crusts until healing occurs. Antibiotics and antiviral drugs are often prescribed to prevent bacterial or cold sore infections. A crust forms during healing and loosens and falls off in several days. New skin can be seen a few days after laser skin resurfacing. Full healing may occur after two weeks. Any redness that remains will fade or may be reduced by using cool light laser treatments such as the pulsed dye or IPL treatments.