WHAT IS LASER SKIN RESURFACING? CO2 Laser & TCA Peel Q&A

Laser skin resurfacing (also known as “laser peel“) is the high-tech method for removing the outer layers of damaged, aged skin to reveal the healthy, youthful skin underneath. This technique is used to remove or greatly reduce a variety of skin conditions for men and women of all ages, such as:

Moderate to severe facial wrinkles, “crow’s feet,” aging skin
Sun damage and weather beaten skin
Acne and other types of scarring from trauma and injury
Skin damaged from prior burns and blemishes
Scars resulting from surgical incisions, skin and pre-skin cancers
Sun-induced brown liver and lighter brown spots
Areas of uneven pigmentation and blemishes
Uneven skin texture
Loose, skin that has fallen and is lax or sagging

Co2 Laser Resurfacing Before & Afters

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North Shore CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedure

During a North Shore CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedure, Dr. Anthony Geroulis uses a precise, thin high-powered CO2 laser beam to vaporize the upper layers of the skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration. This removes damaged outer layers of the skin and stimulates the lower layers to produce new collagen. As new cells form during the healing process, smoother, tighter, fresher-looking skin is formed. The procedure for laser skin resurfacing may involve either the entire face or targeted areas: lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth can be smoothed. Deep laugh lines and creases around the forehead can be softened. Ultimately, it is the strategy and skill of the surgeon that makes all the difference to ensure a smooth result that is above all, refined, natural looking and has longevity. It is imperative to select a surgeon with a detailed understanding of facial anatomy, whom has a skilled technique, acquired through clinical experience in the rejuvenation of the face, training in artistic principles and a measured approach toward patient safety.

During your North Shore laser resurfacing consultation, Dr. Geroulis will discuss your commitment to skin care and analyze your current regimen. In certain cases, you may be required to treat the skin prior to the laser skin resurfacing procedure and/or change your skin-care regimen before and after your procedure. You will quickly notice a significant improvement in the quality and appearance of your skin following a laser resurfacing procedure. Signs of continuing improvement will usually occur for 6 to 12 months. The result is healthier, tighter, smoother and even-toned skin, with a noticeable reduction in wrinkles. Skin translucency, characteristic of youthful skin, is restored.

North Shore Chicago cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Geroulis is a clinical professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center. His private medical surgical facility, the North Shore Center for Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery is located in North Shore. His facility services patients throughout Illinois to achieve the most innovative, natural looking results. Contact the facility to explore your options with Dr. Anthony Geroulis for the most advanced skin resurfacing procedures with a CO2 laser North Shore has to offer. To schedule a consultation appointment, please call (815) 977-4403.

WHAT ARE PHYSICIAN-GRADE CHEMICAL PEELS?

There are many misconceptions centered around the term “chemical peel”. Perhaps this is because the phrase has been thrown around cavalierly from salons to manicure centers, and the term “peel” has been used to describe treatments performed at salons, medical spas and dermatology offices.

The results obtained from any kind of peel are vastly different and, therefore, it is important to understand the distinction between the formulation of the peel in terms of its ingredients, the mechanism of action and the expectations in terms of downtime and longevity of results. Physician-grade chemical peels are intended for serious skin irregularities such as deep-set lines, severe hyperpigmentation, scars or prematurely aged skin and because of their potency must be administered by a physician for effective, uniform results and optimal patient safety. Patients can expect dramatic skin rejuvenation results from a physician-grade peel such as North Shore's TCA peel, whether it be applied to the entire face or just specific areas that are plagued by wrinkles, such as the lip area and eyes.

Physician-grade chemical peels utilize medium to deep strength acids such as TCA (trichloroacetic acid), phenol and glycolic and are administered under light sedation or local anesthesia depending upon the size of the targeted area. Physician-grade chemical peels, the most popular being TCA peels, are often localized to the lower eye area to intensify the rejuvenating results of a lower eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty procedure or around the lips to dramatically diminish the array of wrinkles around the border that appear and deepen as we age. Physician-grade chemical peels may also be applied to the entire facial region to rejuvenate the face as a whole when the overall skin complexion appears dry, aged and wrinkled.

Facelift procedures commonly include a full face TCA peel because of the intensive skin polishing and refinishing results that are achieved. The recovery time of a physician-administered TCA peel depends greatly upon the location of the peel application, the specific type of acid used and the reaction of the skin to the peel formulation — issues all of which are thoroughly reviewed with a skin examination during the consultation process. Typically, patients will experience redness, peeling and itching for three to six days following the procedure.

For a more complete treatment, patients may begin a specialized skin conditioning home care regimen which will serve ultimately as their long-term skin maintenance routine. In contrast to the phenol peels or TCA peels, lighter strength chemical peels North Shore residents and guests have available to them at the North Shore Center, are also an excellent option for those seeking to improve minimally damaged skin complexions with less downtime. These facial treatments are regularly performed every three to four weeks.

During a consultation for a physician-grade TCA peel, Chicago board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Anthony Geroulis will perform a full facial analysis in order to determine if a TCA peel is the best treatment option to accomplish a more youthful looking skin complexion or whether a different skin resurfacing treatment would be more suitable for your skin type. Your skin examination will focus on the relative areas of damaged skin and a treatment plan to target specific areas will be reviewed. Patients with prematurely aged skin, thickened epidermis, skin irregularities, blemishes and scars or those seeking firmer, more youthful skin complexions may benefit greatly from a physician-grade chemical peel. To schedule a North Shore TCA peel or other physician-grade chemical peel consultation appointment, please call (815) 977-4403, or schedule online.

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