Superficial skin concerns may only affect the upper layers of your skin, but they can have a greater impact on your self-esteem. This is particularly true if you have superficial skin concerns that cannot be covered by everyday cosmetics, including severe sun damage, inflammation, and scarring. Skin resurfacing treatments at Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA can help you improve the health and quality of your skin.
What Are the Benefits of Skin Resurfacing?
Cosmetic treatments that resurface the skin can be immensely helpful for regulating the overall health and appearance of your skin. For example, after a resurfacing treatment, your skin will appear brighter and more evenly toned. These treatments have the benefit of deep exfoliation and allow your skincare products to work more effectively. Other benefits of these treatments include:
Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Many fine lines and wrinkles can improve after resurfacing treatments. Although the root cause of fine lines and wrinkles begins deep in the lower dermal layers due to collagen depletion and natural aging, resurfacing the topmost layers of the skin can greatly improve the appearance of these physical signs of aging.
This works because many resurfacing treatments can stimulate collagen production. For example, laser resurfacing treatment and IPL treatments generate a small amount of thermal energy that can increase collagen and elastin production, which will tighten your skin while also smoothing away the appearance of other superficial concerns.
Minimize Scarring and Enlarged Pores
Resurfacing treatments are also key for reducing various types of scarring, including acne scars, scars from injuries, surgical scars, and enlarged pores. Resurfacing treatments are effective for minimizing scars due to the increase in collagen production.
Furthermore, certain types of scars that have a raised appearance, such as scars from surgery or keloid scars, can also improve because the surface layer of the scar is removed during the resurfacing treatment.
Improve Dark Spots and Sun Damage
Skin resurfacing treatments are perhaps best utilized to improve pigmentation concerns. In particular, superficial concerns such as dark spots, melasma, post-inflammatory erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun damage, blemishes, and other causes of an uneven skin tone can all improve after a resurfacing treatment.
When a resurfacing treatment removes the top layer of the skin, new skin cells are turned over to restore the even-toned pigment of your complexion. This is why your skin will appear more radiant and less inflamed after a surfacing treatment.
Manage Chronic Skin Conditions
Some resurfacing treatments are ideal for managing chronic skin conditions. Chronic skin conditions can include rosacea and acne, both of which cause inflammation on the skin that can be significantly reduced after certain resurfacing treatments. For example, IPL treatments are especially good for reducing inflammation while also exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin.
With enough treatments, resurfacing methods for the skin can manage certain chronic skin conditions in the long term. For example, when you use the right resurfacing treatment for rosacea, you may even be able to slow the progression of this skin condition, reduce skin thickness, and even control flare-ups.
How Often Can You Have Resurfacing Treatments?
Most people can use resurfacing treatments frequently, such as every one to three months, based on the treatment being used. For treatments such as laser resurfacing or IPL resurfacing, these treatments may be done frequently as every two to three months. Other resurfacing treatments, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, can be performed more frequently due to the lower level of exfoliation.
How Many Treatments Will You Need for Optimal Results?
Although resurfacing treatments can be powerful, most people will need to have a couple of consecutive treatments to achieve optimal results. Most people will need at least three to four treatments to adequately exfoliate the skin and stimulate collagen production with any skin resurfacing treatment. After you achieve optimal results, your maintenance appointments will usually be infrequent.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Most people are good potential candidates for resurfacing treatments. To qualify for a treatment such as laser or IPL resurfacing, you must have healthy skin, and you must be at low risk for hyperpigmentation concerns. Usually, you will need to attend a consultation or complete a skin analysis to identify the resurfacing treatment that is most appropriate for you. Sometimes, the medications you are taking and your health conditions may affect your eligibility.
For some treatments, pregnant women may be eligible candidates. For example, because microdermabrasion is non-invasive and does not use any chemicals or laser energy, pregnant women can have this treatment. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also be able to use dermaplaning and other aesthetic facials to resurface the skin.
Perfect Your Skin Quality
If you’re tired of trying to cover up superficial concerns with cosmetics or relying on at-home skincare products then don’t quite get the job done, it may be time to find an aesthetic treatment to resurface your skin. Treatments that resurface your skin can greatly improve concerns from sun damage to acne scarring to certain chronic skin conditions. If you want to explore a resurfacing treatment for your aesthetic goals, get in touch with Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA today.
