Chemical Peels

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, in 2020 there were 931,473 chemical peel procedures done in the United States. This minimally invasive cosmetic procedure removes the outermost layer of facial skin. The result is a smoother, more youthful, and less wrinkled appearance. While a chemical peel can’t eliminate deep wrinkles and furrows, it can reduce the appearance of fine facial lines.

The most common chemicals used for this type of cosmetic procedure include lactic acid, carbolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, notes the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). The aesthetic provider will apply one of these solutions to your face. This can cause a minor sense of burning or discomfort. Unlike a surgical procedure, you won’t need anesthesia for a peel. But a chemical peel isn’t a permanent process. This means you will need to return for repeat treatments to see consistent effects.

After the procedure, you may have redness, scaling, swelling, and blistering. These effects are similar to a sunburn and will gradually decrease as your skin heals and a new, more youthful, layer appears. To minimize skin damage, you will need to avoid sun exposure after your peel and possibly for the next few months.

Your doctor can provide you with specific self-care information and directions to follow. Failure to follow the doctor’s instructions could result in decreased effectiveness, increased discomfort and post-procedure symptoms, or other potential problems.

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Combined (including all types of laser procedures), there were more than 997,000 laser resurfacing treatments done in the U.S. in 2020, according to the ASPS. Like chemical peels, laser resurfacing can change the look of the outermost layer of your skin. A CO2 laser can also treat deeper lines or scars.

A CO2 laser resurfacing procedure is another non-invasive treatment option. You won’t need full sedation. But you may need a local anesthetic and have some downtime after the resurfacing. The deeper the treatment goes, the longer it may take your skin to heal. During the healing process, you may notice redness or have some sunburn-like discomfort. Laser resurfacing may require several sessions to see consistent results.

Facial Fillers

A peel or resurfacing procedure isn’t the only way to reduce fine lines without surgery. If you prefer a targeted treatment that focuses on specific areas of the face or you just don’t like the idea of sensitive skin during a recovery period, dermal fillers are options to explore.

Soft tissue fillers were the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure in 2020. The ASPS statistics show that more than 3.4 million of these treatments were done in the United States. These include a variety of different filler products under different brand names.

While there are several filler options, all of these treatments temporarily soften the look of fine lines. Like other non- or minimally-invasive procedures, you won’t need sedation— but the results are not permanent. You will need repeat dermal injections to maintain your new youthful appearance.

To learn more about the types of dermal filler that will work best for your aesthetic needs, talk to your medical cosmetic provider. The doctor can review your options and help you to choose the right one for you.

Are you searching for a way to decrease the appearance of fine facial lines? Contact Time 4 U Med Spa for more information.