Facial Rejuvenation Treatments & Facials in Miami
What is facial rejuvenation?
With the passage of time, our inner feelings of youth are betrayed by our outward appearance of growing older. The development of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles cause us to appear older and less vibrant than we feel. Repeated exposure to the sun can leave tell-tale signs of aging, including dark spots, blotchiness, and a rough skin texture. In recent years, numerous advances in cosmetic dermatology have led to a wide array of options that can repair and restore our complexion, known as facial rejuvenation treatments. Listed below are some of the most popular state-of-the-art cosmetic dermatology procedures in present use and enjoyed by patients at the Skin Center of South Miami.
What are the different types of non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures?
Listed below are some of the most common non-surgical facial rejuvenation services available:
Topical Prescription Creams
These are commonly used to treat aging or sun damaged skin. Tretinoin, a derivative of Vitamin A, is one of the most commonly prescribed topical treatments to reduce the visible signs of aging. Tretinoin can lessen blotchy discoloration and fine lines as well as improve skin texture. Hydroquinone, a skin bleaching agent, can be very useful in treating brown spots and other conditions of facial discoloration.
Antioxidant Treatments
Antioxidants are popular choices for reducing inflammation and protecting the skin against environmental exposures that may cause visible damage. Some common anti-oxidants include Vitamins C and E as well as CoQ10. The effectiveness of these treatments is controversial and can vary with each person.
Exfoliating Treatments
Often containing alpha and beta hydroxy acids, exfoliating treatments can be used to remove dead cells from the skin surface and restore a more youthful glow. These treatments can be in the form of a skin care regimen to be used daily or in the form of skin peeling treatments that are applied in the dermatologist’s office. The type and strength of each treatment are individualized for each patient.
Sun Blocking Agents
This is the most commonly overlooked–yet the most potent–non-surgical anti-aging treatment available. The harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun are perhaps the most important causes of premature aging of the skin. By blocking the ultraviolet light, sun blocking agents protect the skin from damage and help to maintain a youthful appearance despite advancing age. The importance of the sun as a cause of skin aging can be easily appreciated by comparing the visible signs of damage in an area of skin that has received long-term sun exposure with the healthy and youthful appearing skin in an area that has remained protected from the sun over the years.
What are the different types of chemical skin rejuvenation & facial treatments?
Skin is one of the fastest growing organs in the body, undergoing continual cell turnover. Most skin cells are found in a thin layer called the epidermis. This layer of skin is the top most layer and covers the deeper layers which consist mostly of fibers and supporting structures. At the bottom-most layer of the epidermis, cells begin their lives and progressively make their way to the top where they flatten and die. Dead skin cells eventually flake off in a process called exfoliation. In youth, this process works efficiently with continual exfoliation making way for the next wave of skin cells to grow. As the skin ages, however, it loses the ability to exfoliate normally. This leads to a retained layer of dead, flaky skin at the surface, leaving the skin feeling dry and appearing dull.
Chemical exfoliation, also known as chemical peeling, is a helpful treatment for a variety of skin conditions. By removing the dead skin cell layer on the surface of the skin and inside skin pores, chemical peels can help in the treatment of acne breakouts, acne scarring, skin discoloration, sun damage and can be very helpful in the rejuvenation of aging skin. There are many types of chemical exfoliating peels. The type of peel most appropriate for you is determined by consultation with your dermatologist and depends on various factors including your particular skin condition, the degree of pigmentation of your normal skin, the degree of sensitivity of your skin, as well as your expectations and the level of comfort with the proposed treatment plan. Before undergoing any skin peel, all prescriptions of over-the-counter creams should be discontinued at least three days preceding treatment. The doctor should be informed if there is a history of cold sores that may need to be treated with suppressive medication to prevent an outbreak that may spread to the treated skin areas.
Listed below are some of the most common chemical peeling treatments:
Beta-Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels
Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, is a superficial skin peel that is useful for a variety of skin conditions. It is especially beneficial for patients with acne breakouts. It penetrates easily into skin pores where it exfoliates dead skin cells to clean and unclog acne-prone pores. It is also an effective treatment for skin discoloration and for rejuvenating skin that has been affected by sun exposure. This type of peel is safe for patients with sensitive skin and for conditions such as rosacea. During the treatment, a mild burning sensation is experienced while the peel is working. At the conclusion of the treatment, mild to moderate redness will be evident that will become less noticeable over several hours. The treated skin will feel tight and dry for the next several days followed by mild to moderate skin peeling. Occasionally, some areas will be affected more than others and may lead to more prominent redness and occasionally crusting. A moisturizer is recommended following treatment which should be used liberally over the next several days. Sun block and sun avoidance are also important while the skin is healing.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Chemical Peels
Glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid peel, is a common exfoliating peel used for a variety of skin conditions. It is effective for acne and acne-prone skin, skin discoloration and for skin rejuvenation. It can be more irritating than a salicylic acid peel and is not recommended for patients with sensitive skin or rosacea. During treatment, patients experience a burning sensation followed by the appearance of redness in the treated areas. Some areas may be more sensitive than others, causing more prominent redness and occasionally crusting. As in salicylic acid peels, a moisturizer is recommended following treatment which should be used liberally over the next several days. Sun block and sun avoidance are also important while the skin is healing.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Chemical Peels
The TCA peel is a deeper and more aggressive peel than alpha or beta hydroxy acid peels. Different strengths are available and selected based on skin type as well as the condition being treated. The TCA peel is useful for a variety of different skin conditions including acne, acne scarring, sun damage, skin discoloration and for the treatment of precancerous lesions. The application of TCA causes a burning sensation followed by prominent redness. Some areas of whiteness or crusting may occur. Depending on the strength of the peel, significant skin peeling may occur over the following week. Sun block and sun avoidance are also important while the skin is healing.
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What are the benefits of visiting Skin Center of South Miami for facial rejuvenation?
Visiting our experts at the Skin Center of South Miami to undergo facial rejuvenation can result in a wide range of advantages. These include:
- Non-invasive
- Short, in-office treatment options
- No downtime
- Performed by certified dermatologists
- Improved facial complexion and tone
- Little or no discomfort during treatment
How Do I Know Which Facial Rejuvenation Treatment is Right for Me?
At Skin Center of South Miami, we offer a variety of rejuvenating treatments. These range from injectables to chemical peels to laser resurfacing. The way to determine which treatment would be best for you is to consult with an experienced professional, which you’ll do when you visit us! Chemical peels are ideal for nearly every person. However, when we meet with you, our goal will be to understand your concerns and treatment objectives. With your goal in mind, your provider will perform a careful examination of your skin. The information obtained from this examination and your conversation will be used to devise the ideal treatment plan to achieve your desired outcome.
Which Kind of Chemical Peel is Right for My Skin Needs?
Chemical peels are formulated to be mild, medium, or deep. Your provider can discuss the various options that are available based on your skin and what you’d like to accomplish. If your goal is to postpone the onset of aging and the signs of sun damage, you may be well-suited to lighter chemical peels. These are no-downtime treatments that very mildly slough off dead and damaged skin cells. If you want to reduce the appearance of deeper lines and creases, significant sun damage, or acne scarring, a deeper peel may be right for you. During your consultation, we’ll spend a considerable amount of time discussing your concerns and goals. This conversation will guide us as we contemplate how to bring out the best in your skin.
How Many Chemical Peels Will it Take Before I See Results?
The number of chemical peels that you may need to achieve your best results will depend on a few factors. First, we must consider the severity of the condition you want to resolve. The more significant your concerns, the more sessions it may take to correct them. The other factor that influences your overall treatment program is the type of peel you prefer to receive. You can benefit from light to medium chemical peels even if you have more extreme conditions to address. It simply may require more sessions or a combination of processes, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Stronger peels incur more drastic flaking and peeling but also achieve stronger cellular regeneration, so results appear more quickly than they do with lighter peels. It’s difficult to say how many treatments you may need simply by reviewing potential conditions. When we can evaluate your skin in person, we get a much better understanding of your situation. With that and an understanding of your preferences, we can estimate the number of peels you may need to achieve the most rewarding results.
How Often Should I Undergo Chemical Peels?
Your treatment frequency will depend on the type of peel you choose. Lighter peels can be performed as often as every month. This is because the treatment touches only the most superficial layer of dead and damaged skin cells. A TCA peel, though stronger, may be performed as often as every three to four months. You and your provider can discuss the ideal timing for your peels based on your goals, lifestyle, and other factors.
Are There Any Risks from Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels exfoliate the skin using precise chemical formulas. The treatment process must be performed with care to avoid irritating or burning the skin. The types of peels that we perform are on the milder side so are unlikely to cause unwanted side effects like infection or pigment changes. Hyper- or hyperpigmentation is more likely to occur in people with darker skin. This doesn’t mean that chemical peels cannot be performed on darker skin, but that our methods remain on the lighter side of the spectrum.
Is There Anyone Who Should Avoid Chemical Peels?
A thorough review of your medical history occurs during your first visit for chemical peel treatment. If you’ve taken a prescribed acne medication in the past six months, your doctor may advise against peels. If you are prone to getting cold sores, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce your risk of having an outbreak after your procedure. Chemical peels may not be ideal for people with a history of keloid scarring, and are not approved for pregnant women.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are interested in skin rejuvenation treatment in Miami, visit our experienced dermatologists at the Skin Center of South Miami. Our providers are experts when it comes to skin treatments and exams and are dedicated to delivering personalized dermatology care for every patient, no matter how big or small your concerns are. Call us at 305-740-6181 or fill out the form on this page to schedule a consultation today.