Skin resurfacing and rejuvenation techniques can treat numerous symptoms of skin aging, some of which aren’t easily managed by other means.
Dynamic and static wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, dull and sagging skin all can be dramatically improved with skin resurfacing and rejuvenating procedures, usually performed in a dermatologist’s office.
They all involve what are essentially intense exfoliation processes; removing the uppermost layers of skin so you can start over with a new, undamaged complexion. Imperfections will be erased or muted over the course of one or a series of sessions and your skin will be more absorbent for every product you use for its protection.
Here’s a look at the most well-known and effective treatments:
Laser Resurfacing
Laser instruments administer short, powerful bursts of light on problematic areas of your face with issues like sunspots, redness, fine lines and wrinkles, eliminating the top layer and inducing extra collagen production for younger-looking skin. There are several types of this treatment, which can accomplish different goals, and recovery time is affected by the amount of skin that’s been treated.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Beams of light are delivered in wavelengths from across the spectrum to destroy damaged cells and improve a multitude of pigmentation issues including sunspots and other hyperpigmentations, age spots, spider veins and pore appearance. This method is easily customized through the use of different wavelengths for different symptoms on the same patient.
Microneedling
Here the skin is resurfaced through the use of a roller lined with tiny needles to induce microscopic, controlled injuries to your skin to kickstart the regeneration process. The needles can be used to target large pores, rough skin, acne scars and fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth. Home microneedling devices are available but are usually much more blunt and don’t penetrate the skin for a more comfortable but less effective treatment.
Microdermabrasion
These treatments use either a pen-like device or a stream of crystals to create abrasions on the skin for an exfoliating effect, with the dead skin removed to reveal newer skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is used to treat light scarring or pigmentation, acne and blackheads and can improve wrinkles, stretch marks and large pores. Again there are home versions available, which may not produce the same results as when performed in the office.
