For some patients facial wrinkling is one of the main problems in their facial appearance. Many factors like aging, heredity, sun exposure and lifestyle factors including alcohol use, nutrition and smoking contributes to this problem. Other elements like pigmentation changes of the skin and acne scarring all contribute to worsen this skin appearance and may be improved by skin resurfacing.
One of the most exciting and a recently developed techniques for skin resurfacing is the use of a laser, either the (CO2) laser or the Erbium laser. The effects are similar to dermabrasion and chemical peels, the difference is that the laser removes layers of skin by vaporization off the cells rather then sanding of the tissues or chemical destruction. Dr. Guiloff is specially trained in the safe use of the laser equipment and he is able to adjust the energy transmitted to the skin by the specific lasers and control the depth of penetration.
Dr. Guiloff will carefully examine your skin to determine which resurfacing technique, or combination of treatment, will provide you with the best results. Your skin type, the severity of any sun damage, the presence of uneven pigmentation and the depth of skin imperfections will be evaluated. Fine lines, coarse wrinkling or deep acne scarring each may require a different approach to treatment.
As with any procedure there are risks and potential complications that you need to discuss carefully with your doctor. This is best discussed on a personal basis at the time of the consultation with Dr. Guiloff.
Your skin resurfacing treatment may be performed in Dr. Guiloff's office, a certified, free-standing ambulatory surgery facility. Arrangements should be made for someone to drive you home after the procedure and give you some assistance at home.
Usually, local anesthesia alone or combined with intravenous sedation is used for patients undergoing skin resurfacing procedures. When the whole face is treated the procedure usually takes between one to one-and-a-half hours. After the treatment is completed the skin may be covered with petroleum jelly or other medicated ointments. Sometimes a special new book their own facial mask may be applied.
Some pain and discomfort will be experienced and can be controlled with the appropriate medications. You will have some redness and swelling to a varying degree. You will be instructed about cleansing and how-to and when to apply any ointments. You will be seen in Dr. Guiloff's office every few days to monitor your progress.
About seven to 10 days after your skin resurfacing procedure, a new skin will have begun to form. After the initial redness subsides, your skin may be pink for several weeks. Camouflage makeup usually can be used within a couple of weeks and you will be advised at that time step by step.
Your skin will continue to age of course, but you can expect that improvements in skin quality and texture achieved by resurfacing will make your complexion appear younger and fresher for many years. Please set-up your free consultation with Dr. Guiloff to find out if this procedure is right for you.
Please take a moment to look at some before & after pictures of this procedure and many other popular ones in the before & after gallery. Just click the link on the top black bar to view them now. There are also a sampling of images to the left, just slide the orange bar to view the before (on the left) and the after (on the right).
