Dermatologic & Laser Procedures

A chemical peel is a treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This causes the outer layers of the skin to peel away, revealing smoother, tighter and younger-looking skin. Chemical peels also reduce or remove age spots and blotchiness, minimize acne or other scars and smooth fine lines and wrinkles on the skin’s surface.

Following a consultation and skin analysis, our specialist will recommend the appropriate peel for your skin type and desired results. Depending on how many layers of skin are removed during the treatment, chemical peels are classified as light, medium or deep. A mild solution of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is applied for light peels. Medium to deep treatments can reveal a deeper layer of the dermis (skin) and are ideal for advanced signs of aging, severe scarring (such as from acne), sun damage and deep wrinkles. For these procedures, we may use more potent formulas that include croton oils, TCA peels or phenol peels.

Many patients notice immediate results, such as improved skin tone and tighter skin. Following a brief healing period, dramatic improvements are revealed with little to no downtime. A chemical peel is ideal for resurfacing skin for a brighter and more youthful appearance.

Like chemical peels, microdermabrasion is a gentle procedure for the face, neck, body or hands that minimizes wrinkles and fine lines, reduces age spots and scarring and reveals brightened and smoother skin. This exfoliating process involves a fine-tipped instrument or a crystal mist of abrasive particles that remove the outer layer of the skin.

Immediately following the procedure, redness or mild irritation is expected to occur, and this typically disappears within a few hours of treatment. Repeated treatments yield the best results, and while there is no downtime, patients are advised to wear sunscreen to protect the newly exposed skin from UV damage.

For those seeking a more powerful resurfacing technique, dermabrasion improves the appearance and condition of the skin by minimizing fine lines, such as lip lines, smile lines, crow’s feet or other wrinkles. Your doctor uses a medical-grade rapidly rotating instrument or blade to precisely remove skin layer by layer, encouraging new cell growth. Dermabrasion is also an ideal treatment for removing scars caused by acne, revealing a smoother complexion.

Local anesthesia is used to numb the treated area, and your doctor may recommend sedation for extensive resurfacing. Dermabrasion typically involves more downtime than gentler procedures like microdermabrasion and skin peels and is not recommended for every skin type or tone, as it can affect skin pigmentation. Patients experience red and swollen skin for several days to weeks following dermabrasion, which is expected to have crusting and peeling as the new skin layers form.

Laser resurfacing treatments remove the damaged outer layers of skin, revealing smooth and healthier skin. This procedure uses lasers that project highly concentrated beams of light to deliver a range of results, including improved collagen production, tightened skin, removal of unwanted facial or body hair, treatment of acne or surgical scarring and minimizing wrinkles and fine lines. Patients enjoy firmer, more balanced, youthful skin with long-lasting and dramatic results.

Our team uses different lasers to treat a range of skin issues. Depending on the controlled skin damage they create, lasers are typically categorized as either ablative or non-ablative. Both types of lasers are used for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation, but they each target a different layer of the skin and yield different results. Your skin type and aesthetic goals will determine how deep the laser penetrates and the wavelength of light.

Ablative lasers remove (ablate) the outer layers of skin, allowing for deeper treatment of skin texture, scars and wrinkles. Non-ablative lasers target deep layers of the skin without disrupting the surface by heating the skin below the surface. This less aggressive treatment results in shorter downtime for recovery but still stimulates collagen production, reduces pigmentation issues and improves skin texture.

Types of lasers:

• Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments: used for hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, vascular lesions and sun damage 
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers: ideal for treating wrinkles and skin flaws, such as scars and warts
• Pulsed-dye lasers: treat broken capillaries, hyperpigmentation and skin redness, often caused by conditions like rosacea
• Erbium lasers: for treating fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity and age spots
• Fractional lasers: used for mild skin flaws and conditions, such as fine lines and early signs of aging