Chemical Peel Questions and Answers

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Question:

i turned 40 this year and have noticed the wrinkles around my eyes and my laugh lines are getting more noticeable, i'm wanting to do something about this soon to avoid furter signs of aging. i don't have alot of money to spend ,so i'm wondering what would be the most effective, i'm thinking maybe, chemical peel, dermabrasion, or laser resurfacing. i have alot of sun damage to my face, freckles and scaring from acne, not too survere, but noticeable,please let me know what would be the best opotion for the less money, or what these procedores cost. thank you.

Answer:

Mild chemical peels and cosmeceutical creams are the least expensive options and go a long way to improving the texture and tone of sun damaged skin. You can find options that would work well for your skin by visiting www.skinfo.com and clicking on the skin wizard which will guide you through 3 simple questions and design a skin care program for you. There you can also find my personal favorite around the eye cream called Polyhydroxy Eye Cream. I also like Beta-Lift Peels, which most dermatologists can offer you for a fairly low fee, say around $100 each, but assume you'll need at least 3 of these. Laser resurfacing is one of the most expensive options, costing in the thousands, ditto for dermabrasion. You could try microdermabrasion which might help overall, too, and is less expensive, but adds up since you need so many treatments (often more than 6), I hope this helps!

Amy Taub, M.D.
Lincolnshire, IL

Question:

I am only interested in lines around my mouth and under my chin and throat. What can be done with the least cutting. I do not heal real good.

Answer:

Dear Jean, I would suggest laser resurfacing around the mouth and a new procedure of photorejuvenation without resurfacing for the skin of your neck. This photofacial treatment can really help the skin of the neck and can be coupled with a few light chemical peels to improve the texture with little down-time and no heal-up time required. The deeper wrinkles around your mouth would be better handled with laser resurfacing which does involve significant healing time.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

This was definately a laser surgery procedure. The liquid being squirted on the skin at the same time may have even been water. It had nothing to do with a chemical peel. They were touting it as having no "down time." They even showed the woman immediately after the procedure. The clinic was in Santa Monica, CA. Please advise.

Answer:

Through your additional information and some research, I know what you are referring to. It is a procedure called Coblation which uses a water medium to transmit and electric charge which causes plasma formation and a very superficial resurfacing. There is some discomfort with the procedure and some form of anesthetic is required. Also, the skin is very pink for some time afterward adn so there is some down-time. Remember, the depth of the resurfacing is directly proportional to the down time and also proportional to the result. If no down time is what you want and you need only superficial treatment, I would suggest either a series of DermaPeel procedures (microdermabrasion) or, if your problems are more severe, either laser or light based photofacial treatments. Both have no down time and require no anesthetic. The coblation, I have tried and, for the bother, the results are minimal. Many physicians will be offering this treatment since it is based on electrocautery which is available in many or our operating rooms already. It is very much like a "poor man's" resurfacing laser for those physicians who would like to offer resuracing but do not do enough of it to invest in a laser and take the training to perform the procedure well and safely.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

What is the name of the laser resurfacing procedure for acne scarring that is done with a liquid? There was no "down time" with this procedure! I saw this on TV and it was performed in a clinic in Santa Monica, CA. Also, is it possible to find a listing of Dr.'s in the Northeast who are qualified to perform this procedure. Thank you.

Answer:

Dear SRL, The only liquids that I know of that are capable of resurfacing the skin and somewhat improving acne scarring result in a peel and do have down-time. Chemical peels have been around for over a century and none have helped acne scarring to any great extent. We find that mechanical means of removing layers of skin, first dermabrasion and now, laser resurfacing give the best results for acne scars but with down time.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am 42 and have developed lines in my forehead. Which would be more effective, a chemical peel or botox injections?

Answer:

Dear Deborah, The most effective would be a well done brow lift since that is what is causing the lines in the first place, brow decent with time. A chemical or laser peel will help for a short time but then the action of the muscles will re-crease the skin. Botox is helpful but an inanimate forehead is not the way to go unless it is only partially so. If the lines are fine and, perhaps only over the eyes rather than across the entire forehead, this is a good treatment. The down side though is that once those muscles stop working, the level of the brows goes down even further. I hope that you have the opportunity of discussing this with a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon so that all the options can be delineated for you.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Does ultrasonic liposuction really 'liquidify' the fats before extraction? Are results really more significant than previous lipo? Is there a limited number a times a patient can have lipo? Is recovery faster under ultrasonic lipo? Will the skin be affected by the 'heat' or whatever it takes to liquidy or soften the fats? What kind of anasthetics are used? Estimated cost of treatment on whole body? Is cost generally determined by areas or volume of fats to be extracted? 2. Any treatment available to 'whiten' skin? Procedure and estimated cost? Thank you.

Answer:

Both regular liposuction and ultrasonic liposuction liquify fat before extraction. Studies do not show ultrasonic liposuction to be more effective or to have fewer side-effects than traditional liposuction. The recovery is the same. Precautions have too be taken with ultrsonic liposuction to prevent burning the skin.. The heat is generated by the rapid motion of ultrsonic vibration. The anesthetic for ultrsonic and traditional liposuction is the same--usually local for small areas, general for large areas. There is far too much variation in what is considered whole body to give you an answer about price. Price is usually determined by the area treated. Large volumn liposuction can have substantial risk and should be performed in a hospital with at least an overnight hospital stay. There are prescriptions which can lighten skin. Chemical peels can also be done. The cost will depend on the problem. Hope this is helpful to you Carmen Paradis M.D.

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