Reader Question: Facial Scars
April 25th, 2011
I am 30 years old and have some acne scarring on my face. The skin on my face is also very dull and I would love to have even, smooth, glowing skin. I have read a little bit about some of the skin care procedures you do. What would you recommend?
Thank you for your question. Acne scarring is just that, scarring. Unfortunately once the skin is damaged in this way, it is not possible to restore it completely. However, there are some things to consider for approving the appearance of your skin.
Superficial peels (Blue Peel (Registered Trademark), Vitalize Peel) are steps to consider to minimize skin damage from acne. Organic acids are applied to the skin to cause intense exfoliation. These treatments create tightening in the upper layers of the skin, improving texture. Another option is laser treatment. Lasers heat up the dermis, which leads to stimulation of natural healing cells. As this reformative process proceeds, the skin tightens, as a result of collagen formation. Deep laser treatments are also a choice, but they include a very high incidence of bleaching the skin.
Moving forward, it is important to maintain consistent skin care. Daily thorough cleansing, moisturizing and faithful application of sunblock are the cornerstones of all skincare programs. In addition, astringent treatments and vitamin-based serums may be added, as recommended by a physician or skin specialist.
While these suggestions are general and not specific to your case, I hope this addresses your concerns.
Sun Damage Remedies
July 7th, 2010
There was a time when nothing could be done about unsightly brown patches, once referred to as “liver spots or age spots.†We now know that the uneven pigmentation is most often caused by sun damage. In a study conducted by Procter & Gamble, these telltale spots can contribute to raising a person’s perceived age by 15-20 years. Baby boomers were avid sun-worshipers and under educated in the perils of too much sun exposure as we grew up. Now many are suffering the consequences in the form of age spots or hyperpigmentaion, premature wrinkles and even skin cancers.
Today we have various ways to undo some of the skin damage caused by over-exposure to sun. Of course there are many over the counter lotions and potions, but surgical intervention may represent the option that offers the most significant improvement in short order. Anti-aging procedures are often combined to give a more comprehensive rejuvenation. On Peggy’s patient blog last week, she mentioned having Restylane ® and Botox ® injections along with her facelift. By her own admission, she tanned frequently and also smoked, 2 major factors in causing skin aging. I think her “Before and After†(link) photos show a dramatic improvement.
Other surgical remedies for improving sun-damaged skin include chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. These procedures remove varying layers of the skin, minimizing brown spots and fine wrinkles. You end up with younger, smoother-looking skin. Although complete facial rejuvenation is usually only achieved by having a facelift, especially when significant sagging and deep wrinkles are present.
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