Chemical Peel
(Phenol and trichloroacetic acid [TCA])
Procedure
Restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin, using a chemical solution to peel away skin’s top layers. Works best on fair, thin skin with superficial wrinkles.
Length
1 to 2 hours for full face.
Anesthesia
None; sedation & EKG monitoring may be used.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient. Full-face phenol peel may require admission for 1 to 2 days.
Side Effects
Both: Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness; acute sensitivity to sun. Phenol: Permanent lightening of treated skin; permanent loss of ability to tan.
Risks
Both: Tiny whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores. Phenol: Abnormal color changes (permanent); heart irregularities (rare).
Recovery
Phenol: Formation of new skin: 7 to 21 days. Normal activities: 2 to 4 weeks. Full healing and fading of redness: 3 to 6 months TCA: New skin within 5 to 10 days.
Duration of Results
Phenol: permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages. TCA: variable (temporary).
Collagen / Fat Injections
Procedure
Plump up creased, furrowed, or sunken facial skin; add fullness to lips and backs of hands. Works best on thin, dry, light-colored skin.
Length
15 minutes to 1 hour per session
Anesthesia
Collagen: usually none; local may be included with the injection. Fat: local.
In/Outpatient
Outpatient.
Side Effects
Temporary stinging, throbbing, or burning sensation. Faint redness, swelling, excess fullness.
Risks
Collagen: allergic reaction including rash, hives, swelling, or flu-like symptoms; possible triggering of connective-tissue or autoimmune diseases. (A skin test is required before collagen treatment to determine whether an allergy exists.) Both: Contour irregularities, infection.
Duration of Results
Variable; a few months to 1 year.
Dermabrasion
Procedure
Mechanical scraping of the top layers of skin using a high-speed rotary wheel. Softens sharp edges of surface irregularities, including acne and other scars and fine wrinkles, especially around the mouth.
Length
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia
Local, numbing spray, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient.
Side Effects
Temporary tingling, burning, itching, swelling, redness. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sensitivity to sun; loss of ability to make pigment (tan).
Risks
Abnormal color changes (permanent). Tiny whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores.
Recovery
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 4 to 6 weeks. Fading of redness: about 3 months. Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12 months.
Duration of Results
Permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages
Laser Facial Resurfacing
Procedure
Smooth the face and smooth fine wrinkles using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device that treats layers of damaged skin. Softens lines around the eyes and mouth and minimizes facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas.
Length
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more than 1 session.
Anesthesia
Local with sedation, or general.
In/Outpatient
Usually outpatient, unless combined with other surgical procedures that require hospitalization.
Side Effects
Temporary swelling, discomfort. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sun sensitivity. Increased sensitivity to makeup. Pinkness or redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months.
Risks
Burns or injuries caused by laser heat. Scarring. Abnormal changes in skin color. Flare-up of viral infections (“cold sores”) and other infections (rare).
Recovery
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous activities: 4-6 weeks. Complete fading of redness: 6 months or less. Return of pigmentation/light sun exposure: 6-12 months.
Duration of Results
Long-lasting, but does not stop aging. New wrinkles, expression lines may form as skin ages.
