Skin Resurfacing: More Than Just Your Beauty Glow-up
What do you think of when you first hear of “skin resurfacing?”
Don’t worry - it’s not as scary as you might think. Put simply, this refers to treatments designed to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin. Skin resurfacing procedures are recommended for improving the overall health of the skin, particularly the appearance of wrinkles, blotches, or scarring.
Many scientific breakthroughs have been made to this day. Ranging from DIY’s, home treatments, all the way to full-blown surgeries, it is important to remember that your skin is unique and as such, it deserves special, careful attention. A treatment that may have worked miraculous wonders on someone you know doesn’t necessarily mean it will produce the same results for you. That would speak less of the actual condition of your skin, and more on your skin’s genetic compatibility with the treatment. This is why a proper consultation is crucial, and why having even basic knowledge about the treatment being offered will be beneficial in the mission to healthy skin.
Skin resurfacing treatments have always been around to cater to needs not exclusive to beauty. These procedures are also commonly recommended for people recovering from accidents and other surgeries, and sometimes those dealing with pre-cancerous growths (keratoses). Whether borne of a life-sustaining necessity or in pursuit of better self-confidence, you can feel assured that under the care of your PAPRAS surgeons, you can expect to be respected.
Our PAPRAS surgeons work side-by-side with dermatologists to make sure you are getting the most specialized advice possible. In this article, we will be talking about some of the skin resurfacing treatments that we offer. It should be pointed out that this does not substitute professional opinion, and that you should still ask your surgeon for personalized advice.
Dermabrasion
This is a procedure that utilizes a high-speed rotating surgical device to refinish the top layer of skin. Skin irregularities usually contoured with sharp edges best benefit with this treatment as it can soften their appearance. This can be done both in small isolated areas and large sections (like the entire face).
While it may seem logical to think that merely scraping the skin off to smoothen it works just like how we would sand textured wood, this is not necessarily applicable to our skin. Dermabrasion works by stimulating the exfoliation process from the superficial layers, allowing the skin to generate new healthy cells that will result in smooth and glowing skin.
Risks
Redness and swelling - Your newly treated skin will be sensitive and blotchy after the treatment. This may last somewhere from a few weeks to three months or more depending on the rate at which your skin recovers.
Acne - Treated skin will sometimes show little white bumps (milia) as it recovers. This would usually go away over time especially with the use of a gentle cleanser.
Enlarged pores
Changes in skin color - Dermabrasion will not be advised to patients with skin that are likely going to have hyperpigmentation (darker than normal) or hypopigmentation (lighter than normal) as these can sometimes be permanent.
Infection - Although rare, it can lead to bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.
Scarring - Procedures done too deeply risk greater scarring.
Other skin reactions - This procedure is not recommended to people who often have allergic skin rashes as this may be triggering for flare ups.
What to expect
Depending on the work that needs to be done, you may have the procedure in an outpatient facility. You may be admitted to a hospital in case extensive work is necessary.
On the day: You will be given anesthetics prior to the treatment to decrease the sensation. As soon as the anesthesia kicks in, the procedure will begin. A motorized surgical device will be gently moved across the concerned areas. Typically the procedure lasts from a few minutes to more than an hour depending on how much skin is to be treated.
After: Treated skin will be covered in non-stick dressing, and you’ll be given self-care instructions to help you at home while you’re recovering. Some scenarios will also include a prescription plan for medication, and follow up sessions to provide a more careful attention for smooth healing.
PRP Treatment
Otherwise known as “Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment,” the procedure works by processing a small sample of the patient’s own blood to release various growth factors from platelets.
Platelets are the body’s savior when there’s bleeding. They are released to form clots in response to blood vessel injuries which results in faster wound healing. In recent years, several studies have been conducted to determine their efficacy in skin rejuvenation and anti-aging pursuits. This is what gave birth to the famous “Vampire Facial Treatment.”
In shorthand form, the treatment works by placing your blood sample into a machine that will filter the platelets for re-injection to your treatment area.
Risks
Because PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, any chances of having allergic reactions are removed. In literature, side effects or complications of PRP are extremely rare since there are no issues on compatibility.
You may develop slight bruising and swelling afterwards, just like how it would be when you get your blood drawn. This typically goes away in a few days.
The biggest risk comes from the surgical devices and facilities in handling the patient’s blood. Here at PAPRAS, we can guarantee that the strictest protocols are religiously followed to keep your blood sterile all throughout the process.
What to expect
On the day:
Topical anesthesia is applied over the treatment area. It normally takes around 20 minutes for the anesthesia to take effect.
While waiting for the anesthesia to take effect, a small amount of blood (usually 10-15ml) will be drawn from your arm.
Your extracted blood will be processed to filter and concentrate the platelets from the other layers of your blood.
Using a syringe, your doctor will collect the highest concentration of platelets and direct it into the area(s) to be treated.
A specialized microneedling device is usually used, various depths in the skin must be reached to get its maximum effect
Typically the entire procedure will last about an hour.
After: There is no downtime with this treatment. You may need to have multiple sessions depending on how your skin responds. Full effects may appear within a few weeks to months.
Fat Grafting
Also referred to as ‘fat transfer’ or ‘fat injections,’ fat grafting is a surgical treatment that works by extracting the patient’s fat by liposuction for transfer to the area that is to be improved.
A quick history: The first ever ‘fat grafting’ done happened in 1893 when Gustav Neuber, a German Plastic Surgeon, transferred fat from the arm to the eye area to correct scars incurred from a bone infection.
The procedure wasn’t widely accepted until 100 years later when in 1990, Dr. Sydney Coleman, a New York City Plastic Surgeon, published papers on standardized techniques for fat extraction, processing, and injection. With popularity, wider clinical applications came to be.
Fat grafting can add volume to an aging face and reduce fine lines in the process. A specialized kind of processing of fat to nano-fat, is used to improve the quality of skin, by injecting this nano-fat under the skin a resurfacing and rejuvenating effect is noted after a few weeks. Positive effects on skin quality and pigment correction have also been noted.
Risks
Every surgical procedure carries their respective risks. It is important that any question you have about it is addressed.
There may be slight bruising and temporary fat loss in the area where fat is extracted. Beyond that, potential risks are dependent on the area where the fat will be transferred to. Our PAPRAS doctors value transparency, and will not proceed unless you understand the treatment’s nature sufficiently.
What to expect
On the day: You may be given appropriate-strength anesthetics depending on the amount of fat to be extracted. As soon as the effects of the anesthesia kicks in, the procedure will begin:
Liposuction will be done to extract the area from the donor area.
Extracted fat is processed.
Purified fat is reinjected into the treatment area.
The amount of fat extracted and injected are measured in cc’s and will be dependent on the case specifics and the treatment area(s).
After: Swelling and bruising on the treated area can be anticipated. This normally peaks at 2 to 3 days after the treatment. After that, these should rapidly subside over time resulting in a more natural appearance.
References:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Is platelet-rich plasma the secret to younger-looking skin?” https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/younger-looking/platelet-rich-plasma-secret-to-younger-skin. Accessed 16 December 2020.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Dermabrasion.” https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermabrasion. Accessed 16 December 2020.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Platelet-Rich Plasma for Cosmetic Facial Procedures – Promising Results, but Evidence Has Limitations.” 27 April 2018, https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/platelet-rich-plasma-for-cosmetic-facial-procedures-promising-results-but-evidence-has-limitations. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Plastic Surgery Glossary.” https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/plastic-surgery-glossary/. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. “Dermabrasion.” 3 September 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dermabrasion/about/pac-20393764. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Rodriguez, MD, Ricardo. “Fat grafting history and applications.” Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, 15 December 2015, https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/fat-grafting-history-and-applications. Accessed 16 December 2020.
Stanford University Medical Center Department of Radiology. “Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection - Information and Instructions for Patients.” https://stanfordhealthcare.org/content/dam/SHC/diagnosis/p/docs/petctscan-pdf-prpbeaulieuletter.pdf. Accessed 16 December 2020.