Skin Rejuvenation: What to Look for in Your Doctor

Posted September 29, 2016

When it comes to skin rejuvenation, there are so many options available for patients to choose from. The goal of skin rejuvenation is to improve overall skin texture and turn back the clock by minimizing superficial wrinkles. It can also be used to even out some acne scars so the applications for it can be very diverse. Each treatment is specifically designed to be used for the skin on the face, neck or hands. It is best used for treating smaller areas of the body because larger areas like the legs increase the chance of unwanted pigmentation.

How to Find a Skin Rejuvenation Specialist

Because skin rejuvenation is such a broad field in cosmetic dermatology, finding the right specialist for this treatment can be a confusing task. However, one thing that needs to remain consistent when finding a doctor is that they should always be certified by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). Certification from nationally recognized organizations like the ABD ensures that your doctor has been trained and peer reviewed to the highest standards possible.

Results After Skin Rejuvenation

Results from skin rejuvenation vary depending on the procedure chosen as well as the goals of the individual patient. As with most cosmetic procedures, the final results differ case by case so it is important to have the right expectations before getting the procedure done. Try looking at your doctor’s before and after patient photos to get a better idea of what to expect. Make sure to see photos of patients that had a similar case as yours as this will help you decide if the doctor has the right expertise to meet your goals.

Getting Feedback from Real Patients

Aside from reviewing patient photos, it is equally essential to try to speak with any previous patients of the doctor. Plus, you can also speak to a family member or friends who have had a similar case as yours. Getting a firsthand account on what the doctor is like, as well as the type of results he or she can provide, is a crucial advantage in your research. A lot of doctors are willing to let you speak privately with their previous patients and this is a great option when looking for a second opinion on your potential doctor.

Types of Skin Rejuvenation

There are 4 main treatment types used for skin rejuvenation. However, there are dozens of variations available with each technique so always ask your doctor what he or she offers.

Chemical Peels – This treatment applies a chemical solution on the skin which exfoliates it and peels off the skin to generate smoother and less wrinkled skin. Depending on how aggressive the patient wants to be with resurfacing, there are different chemical solutions available. Alpha-hydroxy acid is used for superficial peels while tricholoracetic acid or phenol can be used to penetrate deeper layers of the skin for a much more drastic result. For patients looking for something in-between, a Glycolic acid peel is a great option.

Laser Resurfacing – Laser skin resurfacing is effective in treating scars, acne and wrinkles as well as blotches on the skin. Using laser allows for a greater degree of precision and the skin can be treated layer by layer simply by adjusting the wave characteristic of the laser. It can target very deep layers of the skin in comparison to chemical peels and can be done ablative or non-ablative depending on the patient’s goals. New cells and collagen that form will give you smoother, tighter and younger looking skin. For recovery, patients should expect some swelling for a few days and redness that could last up to 3 months.

Microdermabrasion – Using a minimally ablative instrument, microdermabrasion treatment is designed to gently sand the skin and even out the outer layers. It is particularly effective for treating light scars, discoloration, sun damage and stretch marks. It also promotes thicker collagen production that helps to maximize results. This method has been tested through time and is known to be an effective procedure.

Skin Needling – Also called microneedling therapy or collagen induction therapy (CIT), this treatment is relatively new and is considered a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure. Micro needles are used to puncture the skin and essentially creates a controlled injury. These microscopic wounds trigger the body to produce collagen and elastin to fill-in the tiny holes which also rejuvenate the skin in the process. Patients will notice an improvement in skin texture, firmness and even reduced scars, pore size and stretch marks. Recovery is also pretty easy with only minor redness and some inflammation seen after the treatment. Patients are still encouraged to use moisturizer and sunscreen topically.