Skin Care and Aesthetic Services

The Plastic and Reconstructive Division also oversees safe and effective skin enhancements to make people look and feel younger and healthier. These procedures for smoother, younger looking skin are usually performed in the doctor's office.

  • Microdermabrasion
  • Chemical Peels
  • Skin refinishing (glycolic acid and Retin-A )
  • Laser Resurfacing
  • Scar Revision

Microdermabrasion
An uneven skin tone can make one look and feel older. Too much time in the sun can add years to one's appearance, but microdermabrasion can eliminate much of the sun damage. Microdermabrasion is a gentle approach to skin renewal that smoothes and freshens the skin. It reduces and may even erase:

  • Fine lines
  • Wrinkles
  • Age spots
  • Scars
  • Superficial pigmentation
  • Enlarged or oily pores
  • Blackheads and whiteheads
  • Acne scars

Microdermabrasion is not a chemical, a laser or a surgical procedure. It is a safe and affordable treatment in which a precision handpiece is used to direct a stream of very fine crystals and mild suction exactly where needed on the skin. The gentle abrasive action of the crystals combines with the suction to remove the dead outer layer of the skin while bringing smoother, softer skin to the surface. Within 30 minutes, one can return to his or her daily activities. Usually, 5 to 10 treatments are needed to obtain maximum results and the doctor will choose the best treatment plan for each patient.

MICRODERMABRASION VIDEO

Video available in Windows Media Format for Slow or Fast connections.

Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Chemicals that may be used include phenol, trichloriacetic acids and alphahydroxy acids.

Chemical peels are usually performed for cosmetic reasons to enhance appearance and self confidence. It is especially useful for the fine wrinkles on cheeks, forehead and around the eyes and the vertical wrinkles around the mouth. Chemical peels may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. In some cases, health insurance may cover the procedure so it is advisable to check with an insurance provider ahead of time.

Skin refinishing (glycolic acid and Retin-A®)
A number of non-surgical refinishing treatments, such as glycolic acid and Retin-A®, are available for people who want to eliminate or soften imperfections on their facial skin and have a clearer, fresher look.

Glycolic acids, or fruity acids, are natural fruit substances blended into facial preparations and are used to eliminate rough or dried surface skin. Retin-A® is a vitamin A-enriched cream that changes the cellular metabolism of the skin's surface and is used to combat fine facial wrinkles and blotches from sun damage.

Laser Resurfacing
In laser resurfacing, also called laser peel, a carbon dioxide laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, particularly around the mouth and eyes. It is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation.

Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser resurfacing. The ideal patient has fair, healthy, non-oily skin. The procedure is done on an out-patient basis and usually takes from only a few moments to about an hour and a half.

Scar Revision
Although no scar can be completely removed, plastic surgeons can often improve the appearance of a scar and make it less obvious through the injection or application of certain steroid medications or through surgical procedures known as scar revisions. Scar revision may be a treatment for the following types of scars:

  • Keloid scars  Keloids are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or incision. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. They occur when the body continues to produce the tough, fibrous protein called collagen after a wound has healed. Keloids can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most common over the breastbone, on the earlobes and on the shoulders.
  • Hypertrophic scars  Hypertrophic scars are often confused with keloids because both tend to be thick, red and raised. Hypertrophic scars, however, remain within the boundaries of the original incision or wound.
  • Contractures  Burns or other injuries resulting in the loss of a large area of skin may form a scar that pulls the edges of the skin together. This process is called contraction. The resulting contracture may affect the adjacent muscles and tendons and restrict normal movement.

Depending on the type and size of scars, various surgical techniques to remove them are available:

Z-plasty
Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to reposition a scar so that it more closely conforms to the natural lines and creases of the skin making it less noticeable. In this procedure, the old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small triangular flaps of skin. These flaps are then rearranged to cover the wound at a different angle, giving the scar a "Z" pattern. The wound is closed with fine stitches, which are removed a few days later. Z-plasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.

Skin grafting and flap surgery
Skin grafts and flap surgery are more serious than other types of scar surgery. They are more likely to be performed on an inpatient basis with general anesthesia. Grafting involves the transfer of skin from a healthy part of the body to cover the injured area. Flap surgery is a complex procedure in which skin, along with the underlying fat, blood vessels and sometimes the muscle, is moved from a healthy part of the body to the injured site.