These two treatments are for wrinkles and blemishes but not deep lines. They work well on lines around the lips and mouth, acne, brown patches and chickenpox scars.
In dermabrasion, a small rotating wire brush or a diamond wheel (a hard round wheel) is used to strip or “sand” the top layer of skin. The skin crusts and redens, but fades to reveal fresh new skin underneath. The improved skin texture can last up to five years.
Dermabrasion, leaves the skin swollen and bleeding and very painful for up to 10 days afterthe treatment. A scab will form, falling off later and revealing red and delicate skin which must be screened from the elements, particularly skin for several months. Similarly the peeling procedure also leaves the skin red after the initial scab and takes a few months to go.There is a risk of scarring, bleaching, discolouration and pore enlargement, particularly at the edges of the treatment area. Skin may not tan normallyagain. Not recommended for women on the pill or anyone who may not heal easily.Can be Very painful and possibly a hospital stay of one night.
Microdermabrasion
Tiny aluminum-oxide crystals are swept across the face with a small, handheld vacuum, gently abrading the skin and removing dead skin cells from the surface. Best for sunspots, dull-looking skin and acne For a full face, 20 to 30 minutes. Best results are seen after three to six treatments, spaced two to four weeks apart. Sensitive skin may get slightly red if too much pressure is used.
Dermaplaning
Using short, precise movements, an aesthetician grazes a scalpel across the face, scraping away dead skin cells on the surface. Sunspots, dull skin and mild acne 20 minutes per treatment. Derms recommend one treatment per month for three months in a row. It feels as if someone is shaving your face.
Because the treatment is gentle and chemical-free, it’s a good choice for people with sensitive skin.
Chemical and fruit acid Peeling
In peeling a cream is used for a period prior to the procedure, which uses a chemical to remove layers of skin. Chemical peeling is a far more drastic treatment than fruit (alpha hydroxy acid) peels, which are more of a beauty treatment and not usually carried out under medical supervision.
Chemical peels may reduce lines and furrows and come in three strengths so the milder the chemical the saferit is. Higher strength peels will be more effective at removing lines and wrinkles but there will be a higherrisk of scarring and pigmentation problems afterwards. In addition the higher strength treatments may also bepainful and have some nasty aftereffects such as extreme redness, blistering and swelling.
The chemicals used in mild treatmentsinclude Retin-A or AHAs, low-concentration trichloracetic acid, glycolic or lacticacid, salicylic acid and resorcinol. Deep peels to remove deep wrinkling and scarring uses phenol which causes a loss of pigmentation which can cause problems for darker skinned women. Phenol is also absorbed into the blood stream which can cause severe liver, kidney and heart rhythm problems in those with pre-existing conditions. Since both these treatments expose new and sensitive layers of skin high factor sun creams must be used in the sun.
Light chemical peel
A 30 to 50 percent solution of lactic or glycolic acid is applied to the face to remove dead skin cells. In cases of acne, 20 percent salicylic acid is used. Sunspots, dull-looking skin, acne and hyperpigmentation Usually four peels are advised, three weeks apart, to see significant change. The treatment may string slightly and the skin may be slightly red and scaly for several days, depending on the strength of the peel.