Am I a Candidate for Skin Rejuvenation?

Skin rejuvenation improves visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, lines, sagging and loose skin, acne scars and pigmentation issues. The treatment of choice reduces the appearance of these skin conditions while providing a smoother and more youthful appearance for the patient. Depending on the treatment picked by the patient, skin rejuvenation can be a surgical procedure or a non-invasive treatment

Good Reasons for Skin Rejuvenation

1. Reduce the appearance of acne scars and sun spots
2. Achieve a more even skin tone
3. Reduce wrinkles and crow’s feet on the face
4. Stimulate collagen production to tighten the skin
5. Have a younger appearance

Bad Candidates for Skin Rejuvenation

1. Patients with a darker skin tone
2. People with imperfections on the skin that are minor
3. Patients who scar easily
4. Those who suffer from immune system disorders

Cost Expectations

The cost of skin rejuvenation varies by the treatment performed on the patient. For example:

• Dermal fillers cost in the range of $300 to $450 to $600 per syringe
• Neurotoxins can cost $350-$500 per treated area
• Laser treatment costs vary depending on the laser choice but the average cost is in the range of $2000-$2500
• The average cost of a facelift is in the $6000 range according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

The total costs also include any fees charged by the doctor or the facility as well as the area of the country where the skin rejuvenation is performed.

Choosing the Type of Skin Rejuvenation

Once patients decide to make a change in their appearance with skin rejuvenation, they will meet with a physician to determine which treatment will best help them achieve their goals. Some skin rejuvenation choices include:

• Dermal Fillers – Dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are a non-surgical treatment that can be performed in just a few minutes in a doctor’s office. They are used to treat the loss of volume that happens as a person ages by plumping up the treated area. Dermal fillers also improve the appearance of scars and soften deep folds found on the face.
• Facelift – A major surgery performed in a hospital that has a number of options depending on the results desired by the patient. In general, a facelift tightens the skin and muscles of the face while also eliminating and removing excessive loose skin. The skin on the face is lifted and then reshaped to give the patient a younger appearance thanks to smoother skin and tighter muscles.
• Neurotoxins – Neurotoxins, such as Botox, eliminate fine lines and wrinkles on the face as well as between the eyes. Neurotoxins are a non-surgical treatment administered in a doctor’s office in just a few minutes. The neurotoxin is injected into the muscle located beneath the area being treated in order to temporarily paralyze it while allowing the skin time to smooth out.
• Laser Treatment – The use of a laser to rejuvenate the skin is a non-surgical treatment often performed in a doctor’s office. Lasers tighten the skin as well as reduce and remove wrinkles, age spots, scars, fine lines and other imperfections of the skin. These improvements are accomplished by the heat from the laser promoting collagen growth while penetrating the surface of the skin. New skin growth occurs thanks to the production of collagen.

Risks and Complications

Patients need to be aware of the potential risks and complications of skin rejuvenation. The risks and complications can vary between treatment options but, in general, they include:

1. Bruising
2. Infection
3. Swelling
4. Scarring
5. Bleeding
6. Itching
7. Burns

Recovery Information

There is no recovery time or downtime necessary following treatments with neurotoxins or dermal fillers. Laser treatment might require some recovery time depending on the type of laser used and the depth of the treatment. The recovery time for a facelift is often between 10-14 days depending on the individual patient, the type of facelift performed and the extent of the surgery.

Skin Rejuvenation Results

The length of the results from skin rejuvenation varies depending on the treatment performed on the patient:

• The results from dermal fillers are visible immediately and can last anywhere from 18-24 months depending on the filler. The treatments must be repeated on a regular basis to maintain the results.
• Neurotoxin results start appearing after 3 or 4 days and last 3-6 months. Neurotoxin treatments have to be repeated on a regular basis to maintain the results.
• Facelift results are noticeable after any bruising and swelling subsides. The bruising takes about 2 weeks to resolve while swelling can persist for 4-6 months. The results from a facelift can last 10 or more years.
• Laser treatment results become noticeable once the treated area heals. Depending on the type of laser treatment performed, the results can last for about 2 or 3 years.

MA