|
Laser Or Peel...
Which Is Best For You?
By David M. Morrow, M.D.
In 1994 The UltraPulse Laser Became an overnight
sensation among patients and surgeons who believed the laser was
superior to skin peeling, making skin rejuvenation quicker and easier
without causing scaring. In retrospect, we have learned that laser
resurfacing, is not so fool-proof. unfortunately, numerous
complaints and scaring from laser resurfacing have been reported.
Sometimes lasers cause textural changes resulting in a "plastic"
look and the skin often remains red for months.
As new, more advanced lasers have entered the market some of
these concerns have been addressed. To make a good choice about
which method is right for you....laser resurfacing or skin peeling...it's
important to understand how each process works.
What's The Difference?
The key behind any successful skin
rejuvenation procedure is the calculated and controlled removal of old
skin to promote the growth of new, healthy skin. The more layers
that are removed, the more new skin will be stimulated to grow. For
example, to refine skin texture and color, a superficial procedure may be
sufficient. To address deep lines and wrinkles, a more profound
procedure is required.
When performed by experts, both
laser resurfacing and chemical peels can be preformed superficially and
deeply. However, the manner in which skin is removed as well as the
healing process is vastly different.
The laser causes skin to die
by vaporizing skin tissue fluid, leaving behind dead cell membrane and
other fibrous debris. The debris must be wiped away immediately (so
as not to create a breeding ground for infection), leaving an "open
wound" Patients, must wear special dressings and cannot shower
or swim for at least three days. They are also required to use
special coatings, soap, antibiotics, and antivirals.
The process of skin peeling is
quite different. Depending on the desired results, solutions of
various acidic content are carefully applied to the skin causing a slow
devitalization of the tissue over a 24 to 72 hour period. This
devitalized skin forms a protective covering I call "nature's
Band-Aid." Patients experience no pain and require only a thin
coat of Vaseline and mild anti-virals during healing. They are
allowed to swim and shower immediately. In 3-14 days "natures
Band-Aid" flakes or peels away revealing healthy, beautiful new skin.
The Peel As An Art Form
Both laser resurfacing and skin peels can
produce good results when performed by an experienced and skilled
surgeon. Personally, I have performed hundreds of laser cosmetic
surgical procedures and recommended the laser for eyelid surgery and
removal of acne scarring. Tattoos, hair and facial capillaries.
However for skin rejuvenation, I will tell you what I reported to the
European Congress of Cosmetic Surgery. Clinical comparisons show
that skin peels heal faster and with less discomfort. For the resolution
of deep wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth, skin peeling
provides a more complete and natural looking result.
make no mistake. The
kind of skin peel I am writing about is a far cry from the "old fashioned"
chemical peels in which a solution is put on evenly and then left to
dry...sometimes with tapes and powers.
I think of my designed skin peels
as an art form. Like an artist painting a canvas, I use a
palette of various solutions, applying them differently for each area of
facial skin, according to its need. In this way I treat men and
women of all ages, of all skin colors and types and virtually every skin
area including the eyelids, neck, chest, arms, legs and hands.
more
>
|
