It’s not just lines and wrinkles that can make your skin look less than its best or that can make you look older. A number of other issues can affect your skin’s appearance, from uneven texture to uneven skin tone. If you have had to deal with acne throughout your life, you might have areas of scarring that make you feel less than confident about the way your skin looks.

While injections and fillers can help when it comes to reducing lines and wrinkles on your skin, a number of other treatments are designed to help refresh and resurface your skin. Chemical peels are one example of a skin resurfacing treatment. But, they aren’t right for everyone, and are often not recommended for people with darker skin tones or for people who have very pale, sensitive skin. If a chemical peel isn’t quite right for you and you have issues with your skin, a few other treatments might prove to be a better option.

Microdermabrasion

It might sound unpleasant, but you can think of microdermabrasion as a treatment that gently sands your skin. The non-invasive treatment involves the use of a diamond-tipped tool and a suction device to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin cells and remove them from your face. Microdermabrasion is a simpler, less invasive form of dermabrasion. The treatment usually takes less than an hour and most people are able to return to their regular lives right afterwards. In some instances, there is some bruising, created by the suction device, and redness is also common.

Unlike a chemical peel, microdermabrasion is typically safe for people of all skin types. The treatment helps the skin in several ways. It can reduce blackheads and make pores appear smaller. It can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars or remove areas of hyperpigmentation or spotting. The treatment can also help smooth very fine lines and wrinkles. It’s worth noting that because microdermabrasion is very superficial, removing just the top layer of skin, it won’t be very effective if you have deep scars or deep lines and wrinkles.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is an even less invasive form of skin rejuvenation. The treatment is also sometimes called shaving or blading, because that is essentially what it is. When you decide to have a dermaplaning treatment, the surgeon runs a small, very sharp surgical blade over the surface of your skin. The blade removes any fine hairs from the face, as well as dead skin cells from the surface, creating a more refreshed and youthful appearance. The treatment is suitable for people with very superficial skin issues.

Since the treatment is so superficial, there is no recovery period and side effects are generally nonexistent. There is a small risk of bleeding, but only if the surgeon’s or practitioner’s hand slips while performing the treatment. Usually, a well-trained and experienced practitioner will be able to perform dermaplaning without cutting the skin. The superficiality of the treatment means that it is suitable for people who are pregnant or who have a health issue that eliminates the possibility of other skin resurfacing treatments.

There are a few misconceptions about dermaplaning that need to be cleared up. The treatment does involve shaving the face, or removing the fine peach fuzz that most people have on their cheeks and other areas of the face. While peach fuzz is usually not very noticeable, people who have it removed usually note that their skin looks even smoother. But, some people might be hesitant to try dermaplaning because they are concerned that shaving the fine hair away will cause it come back coarser and thicker. Fortunately, that’s not true. Shaving won’t affect the pattern of hair growth in any way.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

You could argue that chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing are somewhat similar. Both rejuvenate the skin by removing dead skin cells. They are designed to deal with age spots, lines and wrinkles, and uneven texture. The big difference between a chemical peel and a laser treatment is the material used to exfoliate the skin. Lasers use beams of intense light to encourage cell turnover and to stimulate the production of collagen in the dermis.

There are a number of different options when it comes to laser skin resurfacing. Some lasers destroy the top layer of skin, while others remove deeper layers. Some types of laser don’t destroy the skin at all, but instead leave it intact. The degree of damage to your skin determines not only the length of your recovery time, but also how effective the laser is. The less damage, the shorter the recovery time, but also the less effective the treatment is.

If you have age spots, some acne scarring or some lines and wrinkles, skin resurfacing and rejuvenation treatments might be the best option for you. In the Virginia Beach area, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Choe can help you decide which treatment is best suited for your skin and its needs. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Choe, call 757.389.5850 today.