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Cleveland Facial Rejuvenation
By admin | January 30, 2012
Non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation
A recent survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) revealed that people over the age of 50 ranked youthful-looking skin as the number-one feature they find attractive in others. In a world where so much emphasis is put on facial beauty, treatment for wrinkles is in demand now more than ever.
At Carp Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Steven S. Carp has successfully treated patients for wrinkles using Fractional CO² laser resurfacing. Wrinkles form because of decreased collagen production due to aging, which causes the skin’s support structure to breakdown. This process can be accelerated because of UV exposure and other environmental factors.
Using the Matrix Fractional CO² laser, Dr. Carp can reverse the signs of aging by enhancing the skin’s strength and elasticity. Dr. Carp’s Fractional laser treatment offers patients a cost-effective solution to reduce wrinkles, tighten tissue, and improve texture – all with minimal recovery time.
Fractional CO² laser resurfacing, commonly referred to as a “laser peel,” works by removing damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer, through the use of a carbon dioxide (CO²) laser. Dr. Carp moves the laser back and forth over the skin until the wrinkles are less visible. This procedure is primarily used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, but it can also be applied to treat facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions.
Although this treatment will not remove all wrinkles, it definitely gives individuals a younger-looking skin surface, which is smoother and tighter. Patients with darker skin may be at greater risk for changes in pigmentation, but Dr. Carp evaluates patient’s particular skin characteristics and makes recommendations during the consultation.
Depending on the amount of laser resurfacing needed, local or general anesthesia with sedation, will be used. Most patients are given local anesthesia, which means that they are awake but relaxed, and feel minimal discomfort. Luckily, the procedure is usually quick and can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. If the wrinkles are especially deep, two or three sessions may be needed.
After the treatment is complete, protective creams can be used for the first few days. Mild swelling and discomfort will occur, but ice packs and/or prescribed pain relievers can be taken to curb the after effects of the procedure. As the treated area heals, it is vital that patients do not pick the crust that is formed or they may risk scarring. The crust will go away after 10 days, but redness may be visible for several weeks. Make-up can be applied to the treated area after two weeks.
Dr. Carp recommends that patients use strong sun block to maintain the results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to the skin. In addition, sunglasses with UVA and UVB filters should be worn if the Fractional CO² laser resurfacing was performed around the eyes.
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