SKIN RESURFACING
When to consider skin resurfacing
LOCATED IN BEACHWOOD | SERVING CLEVELAND AND NORTHEAST OHIO
Our skin is an immediately recognizable indicator of health and youth. Skin is the most resilient part of our bodies, but also one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Even if aging skin is not your concern, perhaps you have scars or acne or are unhappy with texture, redness, or discoloration.
Skin resurfacing is a suite of procedures performed by double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Ponsky and her highly skilled clinical staff, which involves removing the outer sun-damaged layers of the facial skin with lasers, chemical peels, or dermabrasion. Whether you’re concerned about wrinkles, acne, scarring, or pigmentation issues, skin resurfacing improves the overall look of your skin, giving it a more smooth and youthful appearance.
How It Helps
Chemical peels offer many customizable treatment options. Superficial chemical peels, or “lunchtime peels,” are perfect for patients who desire brighter and rejuvenated skin with no downtime. They are applied in the office by our expert aesthetician with no discomfort. We offer a variety of medical-grade chemical peels that are designed to treat mild sun damage and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance.
Medium Chemical Peel
Deep Chemical Peels & CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Medium-depth chemical peels offer an ideal solution for individuals displaying discernible indications of moderate sun damage and seeking to revitalize their skin. The Ponsky team prefers the utilization of 89% phenol, or alternatively, 30 to 35% TCA (trichloroacetic acid), and the Jessner peel.
These efficacious treatments address mild wrinkles and the frustrating issues of uneven pigmentation. The subsequent recovery period following these procedures extends to approximately 7 days, accompanied by a post-procedural redness that persists for 4-6 weeks and is concealable with makeup application. Notably, versatile, medium-depth peels can be expertly administered within our office environment, focusing on targeted correction of localized brown spots and addressing delicate areas like the periorbital (eye) region or the perioral (mouth) area.
These skin resurfacing techniques revitalize skin following years of moderate to significant sun exposure. By stimulating collagen reorganization and eliminating discoloration, deep chemical peels, and laser resurfacing improve the color, texture, and elasticity of the skin. Small areas around the eyes or mouth can be treated in the office with a deep chemical peel. To treat the entire face, Dr. Ponsky performs the procedure with the patient in a deep twilight-type of sedation. There is mild discomfort for about 8 hours after the procedure. Recovery times range between 7-10 days, and then post-procedural redness can be hidden with concealing makeup. The results are dramatic and last as long as further sun exposure is avoided.
Dermabrasion is effective for treating deep lines and scars and can typically be performed with only local anesthesia.
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BEFORE
What to expect before skin resurfacing
Cleveland facial plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Ponsky will work with you to plan your skin resurfacing, starting with a detailed evaluation to gain an intricate understanding of your face’s underlying anatomy. You will discuss the different procedures based on the exam. Depending on the procedure chosen, you may have a series of appointments to prepare your skin for the treatment to increase your skin’s tolerance to chemical or laser application and prevent side effects.
DURING
What to expect during skin resurfacing
A topical, local, or general anesthetic will be administered, and the skin will be cleansed to remove any excess oil, dirt, and bacteria. Depending on your treatment, the peel solution, dermabrasion instrument, or laser will be applied precisely. Any mild discomfort is temporary, but each procedure has signature sensations. Dermabrasion is often described as a rough lick of a cat’s tongue or a minor tugging. Laser treatments may feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin.
AFTER
What to expect after skin resurfacing
Recovery time varies among resurfacing methods, and varying depths impact recovery. Dr. Diana Ponsky will give you post-surgical instructions personalized to your procedure. Immediately afterward, resurfaced skin may be covered with petroleum jelly or other protective moisturizer. Sometimes, dressings, tape, or a bandage may be applied. About seven to ten days after your skin resurfacing procedure, the top layer of skin will have healed, and camouflage makeup can be applied to conceal the redness. After the initial redness subsides, your skin may remain slightly pink for several weeks to months.
