How does laser resurfacing compare to other skin rejuvenation techniques?

Answers

Replied on 10/29/2009

By: Eppley Plastic Surgery/Ology Medical Spas | Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Carmel, IN

While you asking a very common and seemingly simple question about skin rejuvenation, the answer is more complex than the question. Every method that you have suggested improves the skin. But they differ in how they are done, what the recovery is, and how much they cost. Each one takes off a different amount of the top layer of skin and thus has a slight to significant skin rejuvenation effect.
In simplicity, I like to think of those treatments in this way. Microdermabrasion is a maintenance treatment, not a therapeutic treatment. It helps maintain what you have and what was achieved with other skin resurfacing treatments. It should be done regularly once a month or so. Laser resurfacing is a truly therapeutic treatment. It will burn off the top layers of skin and will reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture. For some patients, this is what they need first because of the amount of skin damage they may have. This is not a regular treatment unless it is done very superficially. Chemical peels, due to their many strengths and types, can fit into either maintenance or therapeutic approaches.
Because of the many options, it is important to sit down with a skin care specialist (who can do all of these) and develop a strategy that will work best for you. Skin rejuvenation is very similar to working out. There is a whole gym of equipment but where do you start and what do you need? Everyone is different and this is why you need a 'personal trainer' to develop a plan for you. Spend a little money and time up front developing a specific program and understanding why and how it works so you don't waste a lot of money in the long-term throwing darts at a target blindly.

Replied on 10/26/2009

By: Colorado Laser Clinic | Robert T. Motazedi, MD
Colorado Springs, CO

There are different types of laser resurfacing procedures. The best laser for maximum tighenting and wrinkle reduction is the CO2 laser. It can reduce wrinkles and sun damage 10 to 15 years on most patients.

Fractionated devices like Fraxel:restore can remove between five to eight years of aging related damage and wrinkles. Each patient needs to be evaluated to determine the best course of treatment, but laser resurfacing is a much better route to go then dermabrasion or chemical peels.

Replied on 10/19/2009

By: Mountain View Dermatology | Richard G. Levine, M.D.
Boulder, CO

Your goal should be to get the best results for the least amount of money. What will work
best for you can only be determined by a skin exam. We do offer free cosmetic consults.

Replied on 10/19/2009

By: Forever Young Med Spa | South Florida's #1 Medical Spa!
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Of the three I would rank them in order of most effective to least effective
1. Laser
2. Peels
3. Dermabrasion.
Places one and two however are not so clear cut. Some deeper peels such as TCA provide results that are as good as lasers however weeks of downtime can be expected. Newer Fractional Lasers only have a few days of downtime but cost 3-5 times more then deep peels.

Replied on 10/19/2009

By: Robert A Young, M.D. | St. Louis Plastic Surgeon
Chesterfield, MO

All three of these methods can provide thin resurfacing. Depending
upon the problem being treated and the amount of down time if any
accepted, one may benefit from a deeper peel. The laser has the
advantage of being programmable to the desired depth of peel. A
personal consultation to discuss the options available for the
individual is needed.

Replied on 10/19/2009

By: LazaDerm Skincare Centre | Dr. Lornell E. Hansen, II M.D.
Sioux Falls, SD

Laser resurfacing is the most aggressive form of skin rejuvenation. Microdermabrasion is not comparable to micro-dermabrasion and only the deep chemical peels are close to the results you will get with the laser resurfacing. The thing you need to remember is that the deeper the laser or chemical peel the better the results but the higher the risk.

Replied on 10/19/2009

By: Celibre Medical Corporation | Laser Dermatology & Injections
Orange, CA

The key issue here is that it depends on what type of laser resurfacing
or chemical peel you are considering. Microdermabrasian is generally
considered a very low risk, low reward type of resurfacing because it is
performed by estheticians and has no downtime. The results you receive
from chemical peels and/or laser resurfacing will depend on your
condition, which type of laser resurfacing or chemical peels you are
considering and what kind of downtime is associated with the procedures.
Generally speaking, longer downtime procedures offer more dramatic
results.

Regards,

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