Is Fraxel Better Than Chemical Peel

Whether you’re looking for a chemical peel or a fraxel laser treatment, you want to make sure that you get the best results possible. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you choose between these two popular skin rejuvenation methods.

Chemical peels are an excellent way to remove damaged skin cells and promote new growth. They can also help with acne and scarring, as well as even out skin tone and texture. Chemical peels are very effective at improving the appearance of your skin, but they don’t provide lasting results: once your skin has healed from a chemical peel, it may be just as damaged as before.

Fraxel laser treatments are another great way to improve your complexion and make it look younger than ever before. Fraxel lasers target damaged collagen in the deeper layers of your skin, which helps promote healthy new collagen production and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike chemical peels, fraxel lasers provide long-lasting results thanks to their ability to penetrate deep into your tissue and stimulate cellular growth over time.

Read on to learn more about Is Fraxel Better Than Chemical Peel, Is Forehead Lift Painful

Is Fraxel Better Than Chemical Peel

With today’s array of cosmetic treatments, you no longer need to wonder if it’s possible to have flawless skin; instead, you must only decide which therapy you should choose. We know the decision can be daunting without the right information. That’s why at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL, we want to answer all of your questions about two of the most common and effective treatments: chemical peels and laser resurfacing Florida.

Which Is Better: Chemical Peel or Laser Resurfacing?

When it comes to these two treatments, it’s not a question of which is better, but rather which is right for your needs. Both share essentially the same goals: to erase skin imperfections and improve your overall appearance. They do this by removing the top layer of skin, where concerns like rough texture, fine lines, and discoloration remain visible. This does not mean, however, the treatments are interchangeable.

Nor does it mean they don’t both offer a host of advantages, because they do. So, how can you possibly know which is the better option for you? The answer depends on how quickly you want to see results and the complexion woes you want to be erased. Peels, for instance, are beneficial for superficial irregularities like lines around the mouth and under the eyes, mild scars, and acne.

Conditions to Treat

For deeper concerns, such as pigmentation and wrinkles, lasers perform better. They’re also more ideal for remodeling collagen, which happens as a result of heat energy. High temperatures cause collagen degradation in a way that prompts new synthesis. In turn, as collagen production increases, wrinkles disappear and skin tightens. Clinical studies confirm that laser can result in up to 40 percent tighter skin.

Laser is also superior in terms of precision. To illustrate, using a laser to treat acne scars or brown spots allows for very targeted treatment. We can focus on these concerns in way that doesn’t damage surrounding tissues or surface skin. Peels, on the other hand, provide for broader therapy because the entire face is treated at once. They can thus rejuvenate your entire appearance.

Timeline of Results

Laser generally delivers faster results than peels, with results showing in just three to five days. This is especially true when patients choose laser resurfacing to fade acne scars. Then, in the coming days, the complexion becomes visibly smoother; scars fade completely after a month or so – in the days following a second treatment – and as collagen levels ramp up, skin becomes plumper, tone evens out, and wrinkles disappear.

The immediate effects of chemical peels are more dependent upon the peel you have rather than subsequent treatments. A superficial peel will improve skin radiance almost immediately with additional improvements showing in two to three weeks. A medium peel, which penetrates more deeply, can take two to four months to shrink wrinkles, fade scars, and stop breakouts. Most patients prefer gradual improvements rather than rapid and drastic changes.

The Skin Types They Benefit

It’s important to note that not all skin is suitable for laser treatment. Fairer skin tones previously responded more favorably because they weren’t susceptible to discoloration or damage. While new developments in laser technology have largely fixed these issues, patients with darker complexions are still warned to approach laser treatments with caution. Those with sensitive skin or that which easily scars should also consider alternative options.

Chemical peels generally provide greater versatility, especially for patients who aren’t considered strong candidates for laser. Ingredients can be customized to address specific concerns and needs, meaning they can be tailored even for those with sensitive skin. Mild ingredients, like glycolic acid peels, can be universally administered and help all skin tones look smoother and brighter. The key is in following the recommended series of treatments.

Frequency of Treatment

That brings us to our next point: the number of sessions required with both treatments. Laser resurfacing is usually completed in a series of four (or more) sessions each delivered about a month apart to give the skin time to properly heal. Each subsequent session builds upon the results of the last, so it’s important to follow the treatment plan exactly as we develop it for you.

The frequency of chemical peels is a little different and depends on the concern being addressed. A patient hoping to cure acne, for instance, may need a total of six peels with one delivered every two weeks; once the desired results are achieved, treatment frequency may be reduced to once monthly or even every six weeks. A patient with sensitive skin, on the other hand, may need treatment just once every eight weeks. Frequency thus depends on the:

• Patient’s skin type
• Treatment goals
• Peel ingredients

Duration of Results

Peels and laser treatments each deliver results that last for different periods of time; this, too, factors into treatment frequency. The effects of laser might last three to five years before additional sessions are necessary. Peels, however, work on much shorter time spans. A superficial peel will deliver results for one to two months, while you can expect a medium peel to last between four and six months. A deep peel is likely to last 10 years.

Each peel – light, medium, and deep – penetrates to a different skin level. Superficial peels only remove the skin’s top layer, whereas a medium peel sinks to the skin’s middle layer and also removes it. Deep peels, as you likely guessed, sink into the skin’s deepest layers to provide total rejuvenation. It is recommended that patients only have one of these in their lifetimes because of the transformative way they affect the skin.

How They Work

In terms of operation, these two treatments are at distinctly opposite ends of the spectrum. Chemical peels employ acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, to change the skin’s pH from a normal base of around 5.5 to 3.8. This loosens the cells that bind dead to healthy skin, and once those bonds are no longer intact, dead cells can basically be lifted from the face. Hence, peels remove the skin’s top layer(s) to expose new and fresh cells lying underneath.

Chemical peels made a strong showing in the 1990s but faded from the spotlight because they hurt and made the skin raw. Techniques and formulations have since changed dramatically, meaning peels are now safer than ever. They’re also highly effective because the goal is no longer to cause visible peeling but to instead drench the skin with beneficial ingredients that:

• Improve tone
• Erase fine lines
• Build collagen
• Eliminate acne

Acne and Chemical Peels

This last effect is especially noteworthy, as peels are often lauded for being one of the most effective cosmetic therapies for stopping acne. Laser can help, but in a less complete way, meaning you may continue to experience breakouts even after treatment. It may also require a second modality, like the application of topical medicine, to provide the desired results.

Peels provide another unique benefit by helping your skincare products work more effectively. Removing that top layer of dead cells triggers a chain reaction: living cells below the surface multiply and rise to the surface. This creates a blank canvas that is ready to soak in the serums and lotions you normally apply. Now, however, those products reach deep tissues, where they are most beneficial, rather than sitting on the surface to no effect.

Laser Treatments

Laser resurfacing directs short and highly concentrated light pulses at unwanted irregularities to remove skin layer by layer. The instruments that deliver these pulses – lasers – are characterized by their wavelength, which is absorbed by select skin targets, and pulse width, which refers to the rate at which the light beam is delivered.

The faster the pulse width, the better it is for targeting spots like tiny pigment fragments. Once a targeted spot is hit, the heat forces it to break down. Resurfacing lasers work a little differently, as the intended targets are water molecules that exist within collagen. The heated water causes microthermal zones to develop that trick the skin into a healing phase, wherein collagen production increases.

The Benefits of Collagen

Collagen is one of several components contained within the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). It is, in fact, the main component of this support system that gives skin its shape and structure. When it depletes, as happens with age, the ECM becomes weaker and causes the skin to develop lines and wrinkles. Igniting collagen synthesis is, therefore, the most optimal and natural way to give skin a more youthful appearance.

Once production is elevated, it will remain so for an extended period of time. And throughout this time, your skin will remain line- and wrinkle-free so you look younger for longer. You might therefore think of collagen as the key to youth.

The Ways They Are Similar

The first thing to note is that chemical peels and laser resurfacing are not one-size-fits-all approaches to skin health. We customize these treatments by regulating the intensity of each to maintain patient comfort, protect the skin, and achieve the results you desire. To illustrate, different chemicals can increase or decrease the effects of a peel. Likewise, lasers can be controlled in terms of pulses, wavelengths, and depths of penetration.

Aftercare Suggestions

We should also note that both therapies are highly beneficial in giving you clear, rejuvenated, and fresh-looking skin. And both require specific aftercare measures. We recommend that after either treatment, you take some time to avoid:

• Cleansing brushes and washcloths
• Facial scrubs
• Exfoliation
• Heavy sweating
• Saunas, hot tubs, and excessively warm showers
• Strenuous exercise

What you can use are gentle cleansers complemented by velvety smooth moisturizers. You’ll also need to get serious about sunscreen, if you’re not yet, and apply it every day. In this same vein, you can further protect your skin and treatment results by wearing a wide brim hat whenever you go outside.

Expected Downtime

This brings us to the idea of downtime, which can take up to three weeks with both treatments. This can, however, vary significantly depending on your skin and the type of laser or peel you choose. Professional peel options are nearly endless, and light peels typically need very little recovery. The same is true of lasers, many of which offer mild Laser resurfacing with almost no recovery necessary. We can discuss your anticipated downtime during your consultation.

Is Forehead Lift Painful

A forehead lift or brow lift is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. The procedure corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad, or tired.

In a forehead lift, the muscles and tissues that cause the furrowing or drooping are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows, and minimize frown lines. Your surgeon may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden just behind the hairline, or may use an endoscope, a viewing instrument that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. Both techniques yield similar results—smoother forehead skin and a more animated appearance.

If you’re considering a forehead lift, this page will provide a basic understanding of the procedure—when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. The article won’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything you don’t understand about the procedure. More information on our face care team and how you can schedule a consultation is available.

The best candidates for a forehead lift

A forehead lift is most commonly performed in the 40 to 60 age range to minimize the visible effects of aging. However, it can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. Individuals with inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose, can achieve a more alert and refreshed look with this procedure.

Forehead lift is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) also may be performed at the same time as a forehead lift, especially if a patient has significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids. Sometimes, patients who believe they need upper-eyelid surgery find that a forehead lift better meets their surgical goals.

Patients who are bald, who have a receding hairline, or who have had previous upper-eyelid surgery may still be good candidates for forehead lift. The surgeon will simply alter the incision location or perform a more conservative operation.

Remember, a forehead lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them in detail with your doctor.

All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk

Complications are rare and usually minor when a forehead lift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Yet, the possibility of complications must be considered.

In rare cases, the nerves that control eyebrow movement may be injured on one or both sides, resulting in a loss of ability to raise the eyebrows or wrinkle the forehead. Additional surgery may be required to correct the problem.

Formation of a broad scar is also a rare complication. This may be treated surgically by removing the wide scar tissue so a new, thinner scar may result. Also, in some patients, hair loss may occur along the scar edges.

Loss of sensation along or just beyond the incision line is common, especially with the classic forehead lift procedure. It is usually temporary, but may be permanent in some patients.

Infection and bleeding are very rare, but are possibilities.

If a complication should occur during an endoscopic forehead lift, your surgeon may have to abandon the endoscopic approach and switch to the conventional, open procedure, which will result in a more extensive scar and a longer recovery period. To date, such complications are rare—estimated at less than 1 percent of all endoscopy procedures.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.