Skin Resurfacing in Chicago

Skin resurfacing refers to a number of different procedures that can improve the quality of the skin’s surface by diminishing sun damage, fine lines and dynamic wrinkles, pigmentation problems, and skin laxity. These procedures include chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser surgery.

A chemical peel is a procedure that uses a chemical solution to peel away the top layers of the skin. Chemicals come in three different strengths including glycolic acid peels (the mildest), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels (a medium-depth peel), and phenol peels (the strongest). Chemical peels can smooth the skin and provide a more youthful appearance.

Dermabrasion is a procedure that removes the top layer of skin through a method of controlled surgical scraping using a high speed rotating brush. Dermabrasion can smooth the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and scars.

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device to remove the top layer of skin. This process improves the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars. An example would be the Clear + Brilliant Touch.

Laser-assisted skin resurfacing techniques are generally divided into two categories: ablative and non-ablative. At Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, our providers use Acupulse and CO2 lasers, which both provide full-ablative and fractionated (non-ablative) resurfacing using super-pulse technology.

The first step to a successful treatment, whether it is regarding laser skin resurfacing or another laser-assisted procedure, is a consultation with an experienced medical esthetician, esthetic nurse, or surgeon. During your consultation for laser resurfacing:

• Your provider will perform a thorough examination of the target area, evaluate your skin condition and issues, and review your medical history.
• The information gathered here will help the provider determine whether a laser resurfacing procedure is ideal for you or if you will benefit more from another type of treatment.
• Your provider may show you before and after photos.
• A thorough discussion of laser procedures before and after care, as well as how to maintain results, may also ensue.
• Remember that the consultation for laser resurfacing is the perfect opportunity to find out everything there is to know about the procedure from a trusted and reliable source.
• Your consultation for laser resurfacing will provide the information needed to develop the right treatment plan for you.

A laser resurfacing procedure is ideal for men and women who wish to improve the appearance of such common skin issues as pimples and acne scars, skin discoloration like age spots or sunspots, wrinkles and fine lines, crow’s feet, and mild to moderate skin laxity. Before the procedure, your provider may recommend specific steps and/or treatments to prepare your skin for treatment. It’s important that you strictly follow these to ensure the best results are achieved. Aggressive skin resurfacing is not advised for patients with darker skin types.

Our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Moynihan, or one of his skilled providers, may perform the treatment in his office or at an outpatient surgical center. Please refer to our contact information for the exact location of each facility.

During the consultation, your skin will be examined, your medical history taken, and your goals discussed. A treatment plan will be recommended, and all aspects of the procedure will be explained, including the anesthesia, the recovery, the risks, the costs, and so on.

Local anesthesia or sedation may be used for the treatment. If only small areas need to be treated, your doctor will use local anesthesia to numb them. They may, in addition, sedate you. If your entire face requires treatment, you’ll likely need general anesthesia.

In general, these treatments cause little to no pain. However, local anesthesia or sedation may be used to drastically reduce any discomfort.

The procedure may take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to perform. Treating the entire face may take 2 hours.

Depending on the treatment, you’ll need between 7 to 10 days to heal. After this period, you’ll be able to wear oil-free makeup to conceal any lingering redness in the treatment areas. This redness will gradually fade within a couple of weeks.

• Following treatment, the treated areas may need to be bandaged.
• A day after treatment, you’ll need to wash these areas four to five times daily and apply an ointment to prevent the formation of scabs.
• You may experience issues such as minor swelling and itching in the treated areas. These side effects can be managed using medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Expect your skin to dry up and peel around a week after treatment. It takes 7 to 10 days after your treatment for the superficial layers of skin to repair themselves.
• The skin may still appear pink for up to 4 more weeks, but makeup may be worn to help conceal discoloration.
• As the side effects fade, the results of your treatment will gradually appear. Depending on the type of treatment, expect full results to be revealed within 3 to 6 months.

You should plan on taking a leave from work lasting about 7 to 10 days. Any lingering redness can be concealed with makeup.

Light exercise may be resumed around a week after the procedure, though more strenuous activities will need to be postponed for at least 2 weeks.

All surgery carries some risk. For skin resurfacing, this may include the risk of hyper or hypopigmentation, prolonged redness, and scarring.

• Depending on the strength of your chemical peel, results can last around a month, 2 to 6 months, or much longer.
• Dermabrasion removes scars, abnormal growths, and blemishes. Aging and sun exposure will gradually affect changes in skin texture and color.
• The results of laser skin resurfacing can last between 3 and 5 years.

You can always return to your doctor for touch-ups once you feel the results of your treatment are fading.

Skin resurfacing costs depend on the results you wish to achieve, and the type and complexity of the treatment required to produce said results. Typically, peels can cost anywhere from $150 to $3,000. Dermabrasion can cost from $500 to $4,000. CO2 laser skin resurfacing costs can range from around $1,400 to $2,500

Based on your unique needs, our double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Moynihan, or one of his aesthetic experts, can break down and go over the cost of your treatment.

Patients will need to check with their own insurer. In general, skin resurfacing procedures that are performed for cosmetic reasons alone are not covered. When treating a deformity or skin injury, some degree of coverage may be available.