SKIN REJUVENATION

EXFOLIATION TREATMENTS

Various types of dermatological peels are available for the treatment of fine lines, small scars, UV damage, pigmentation marks and acne scars. The treatments are tailored to the patient's skin type and the degree of damage to the skin. It's important that the physician correctly assesses your skin type. This is done on the basis of the internationally recognised Fitzpatrick skin type scale, which is named after its inventor, an American dermatologist. There are four skin types for our latitude, type I (very pale skin) to type IV (Mediterranean olive skin). The latter type of skin should not be subjected to intense chemical peels, because the risk of lighter patches of skin forming (hypopigmentation) or excessive pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) is too great. A four-week pre-treatment of the skin with special products applied at home ensures a more aesthetic result and improves the skin's tolerance of the acid. The same applies to laser peels. Here is an overview of the methods we use:

SOFT PEELS WITH FRUIT ACID FOR A FRESHER COMPLEXION

This treatment merely removes the dead cells on the top layer of skin. Afterwards, you have a fresher and more even complexion, superficial brown marks - and sometimes freckles - disappear if they don't extend down into the deeper layers of the skin. Fruit acid in concentrations of between 10 and 70 percent are used for the treatment. You can have a once-only treatment with a stronger acid concentration or gradually increase the concentration over a period of several weeks. This "gradual peel" has the advantage that there is only minimal redness of the skin afterwards which can be perfectly concealed by make-up. The one-off intensive peel, on the other hand, can lead to heavy flaking and redness. Scabs can sometimes form on people with skin type I. The superficial peel is not particularly painful. At most, you will feel a slight burning sensation. After the treatment, you have to avoid going out in the sun and sun beds, otherwise you risk pigmentation marks. The rejuvenation effect lasts for 3 to 6 months.

MEDIUM-DEPTH PEELS FOR A MORE EVEN COMPLEXION

Fine lines and wrinkles, abnormal pigmentation, impurities, enlarged pores and flat acne scars are deeper set in the skin, so a stronger chemical peel has to be used. Twenty to 30 percent trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels off the entire top layer of the skin down to the reticular dermis. The skin that forms underneath is then blemish free. Patients generally receive a painkiller prior to the treatment because the burning sensation caused by the acid is quite strong. They can also request a mild surface anaesthetic or a twilight sleep. The treatment takes around 20 minutes to perform. Afterwards, the face is slightly swollen and red. In the following days, the skin turns a dark brown colour, dries and peels off. You will generally have to take around one week off work. The main risks associated with a medium strength peel are long-term redness. If the skin is exposed to the sun too soon after the treatment, brown patches will form. The peel should only be carried out in the winter months. The result remains stable for several years. Sun and nicotine can reduce the length of the positive effects.

DEEP PEEL FOR TIGHTER AND SMOOTHER SKIN

A deep peel extends down into the layers of the skin which are made of collagen and elastic fibres, and to the connective tissue. This enables the elimination of more pronounced acne scars and deeper wrinkles and has a firming effect on the skin. Thirty to 50 percent trichloroacetic acid or phenol is applied in two to three applications to ensure that it reaches the deeper layers. This treatment is extremely painful, which is why it is performed under a general anaesthetic. The skin reacts to the treatment with considerably swelling, burning and weeping. You will have to take 14 days off work and you cannot go out without wearing sun blocker in the first six months after the treatment. The redness can last for several weeks. Scars can form if the patient fails to follow the physician's instructions at home. If the person leads the right lifestyle, the effect of a deep peel can last for up to 5 years.

LASER SKIN-RESURFACING

Chemical peels remove the top layers of the skin. The Erbium laser vaporises them. The effect is comparable to a medium chemical peel. Since the laser removes the skin very gently, it doesn't tighten the deeper collagen fibres. But on the plus side, the healing phase is shorter.

To achieve a tightening effect, the ultra pulse CO2 laser is used. It has a thermal effect which causes the "saggy" collagen fibres to shrink and tighten. The skin has to be prepared for the treatment in the preceding weeks, just as it has to be prepared for a deep peel. The treatment itself is performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic. Unlike a chemical peel, the skin immediately reddens and weeps after a laser treatment. To promote healing, an ultra-thin foil is laid over the skin as a substitute skin in the first few days. You can get back to your normal life after around 2 weeks. The risks and duration of effect are similar to those of a deep peel. The result depends to a great extent on the physician's experience in handling the laser.