Skin Resurfacing and Facial Plastic Surgeon Information

Skin Resurfacing Overview

If you’re looking to improve the look of your skin, you have several options. These options range from changing face soap to surgery. However, one of the options available to you is skin resurfacing. “What is skin resurfacing?”, you ask? Below you’ll find an overview regarding this strategy’s benefits and procedures.

What is skin resurfacing?

Skin resurfacing is the process whereby someone follows a routine to maximize the smoothness, shine and overall softness and quality of facial skin. The face is the most exposed part of the body, and as such it endures every trial and obstacle imaginable. Facial skin must endure sun rays, wind, rain, hail, heat, cold, dry air, moisture and just about any other force imaginable.

These forces have a wear and tear effect on skin, and over time it can result in cracking, drying, painful and discolored facial skin. Regardless of how often you wash or how careful you are, it’s nearly impossible to avoid exposure to elements that harm your complexion over time.

How does skin resurfacing work?

There are several options available to any person who wants smoother, more radiant skin. One example is topical cream, which if applied consistently will give the patient the benefit of an improved overall look and will also correct discolorations and dryness that result from exposure to the elements detailed above.

Another option is surgery, and although this is usually reserved for much more extreme cases of skin problems, skin grafting surgery will literally replace your existing skin with new skin that will instantly remove any and all problems with your facial structure as it existed prior to the procedure.

I want Skin Resurfacing, how should I proceed?

If you’re unhappy with your skin and practice good hygiene, the first thing you should do is contact a facial plastic cosmetic surgeon. He or she will analyze your skin and evaluate you for any and all possibilities that exist. Some people are simply born with skin that’s more susceptible to damage, and some skin is unsightly due to overexposure to elements.

Regardless of the cause, you’ll definitely find an answer to the question, “What is skin resurfacing?” after a consultation from a cosmetic surgeon. It’s time to take charge of your overall look and to improve your self image and confidence. Removing unsightly skin is far from impossible, and every aspect of your life will improve if your sense of self worth is as it should be.

Go ahead and take that first step towards rejuvenation - contact a facial plastics cosmetic surgeon today.

Skin Resurfacing Candidacy

If you’re unhappy with your skin, you have several options. These options are best discussed with an experienced cosmetic surgeon, and before doing so you should prepare questions that he or she will gladly answer. Three common questions to consider for your cosmetic surgeon are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for skin resurfacing?”, “How will I be evaluated for skin resurfacing?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?” Each of these questions are answered below, but specific answers as they relate to your situation should come during your consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.

How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for skin resurfacing?
Almost anyone is a good candidate for skin resurfacing if certain skin conditions exist. Specifically, if a person has discoloration, pock marks, scars, lesions, dryness or dying/flaking skin, skin resurfacing may be a good option. Overall, patients should be in good physical health and not have any underlying conditions that would be exacerbated by any form of treatment.

How will I be evaluated for skin resurfacing?
When you arrive for your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon, he or she will look for specific information before recommending a course of action. First, the doctor will look for and closely analyze the skin condition that concerns you. The doctor will also take a close look at your medical history to determine if there are any underlying causes for this condition that should also be treated. Finally, the doctor will analyze your skin to determine which course of treatment will provide the best and most enduring results.

Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?
There is no hard-and-fast answer to this question. In a general sense, insurance companies will not cover treatments or procedures that are considered elective in nature. Whether or not something is elective is usually decided by your insurance carrier, although your doctor can and sometimes will make recommendations as to whether something is elective. If a treatment or procedure is considered medically necessary, such as in the case of recovering from an injury, etc., insurance companies will usually cover those treatments. Regardless of the decisions that are reached, document everything from your carrier to avoid confusion later.

Overall, three common questions patients who are unhappy with their skin ask are, “How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for skin resurfacing?”, “How will I be evaluated for skin resurfacing?” and “Will my insurance help offset the costs of surgery?” For specific answers to these questions and recommendations for a course of treatment, contact a cosmetic surgeon today.

Skin Resurfacing Specifics

If you’re unhappy with the condition of your skin, you have several options available. Regardless of the course of action you choose, the best thing you can do is gather all the information available in order to make an informed decision. The best way to obtain this information is by contacting a cosmetic surgeon for a consultation.

After you schedule this consultation, you need to make sure that the meeting is productive. Ensure this productivity by preparing questions to ask of your doctor. He or she is ready to answer them, and examples of two common questions are, “Where are incisions placed for skin resurfacing?” and “What are some variations to the common skin resurfacing method?” Each of these questions is answered below.

Where are incisions placed for skin resurfacing?
If you decide to have a surgical procedure to repair your skin, incisions are usually cut along the side of the face near the ears and jaw line. This is done so because these areas are most apt to naturally hide the incision marks, and natural curvatures in the skull will help minimize the scars that are left behind a surgical procedure.

What are some variations to the common skin resurfacing method?
There are several variations to skin resurfacing. On the most fundamental level, there are surgical and non-surgical procedures available. The surgical procedures will vary based upon what percentage of skin you’d like replaced. If you’re going forward with a non-surgical procedure, your doctor will be able to recommend and prescribe any of several different medications and topical creams, all of which are designed to clean up your complexion and restore your skin to its original level of smoothness and shine.

Overall, two extremely common questions patients ask of cosmetic surgeons in regards to skin resurfacing are, “Where are incisions placed for skin resurfacing?” and “What are some variations to the common skin resurfacing method?” Each of these questions is answered above, but these answers are general in nature.

If you contact a cosmetic surgeon, he or she will give you a full examination, ask what your goals are in relation to restoring your skin, how much time you’re willing to put forth in pursuit of this goal, and what you may know about treatment options at that time.

After your consultation, you’ll be ready to restore your beautiful skin to a level that will have you shining with radiance and restore your confidence to a level you deserve. Go ahead and take that next step - contact a facial plastic cosmetic surgeon today.

Skin Resurfacing Preparation

If you’re going to have a surgical skin resurfacing procedure, you’re far from alone. Skin resurfacing is one of the fastest-growing cosmetic options in the cosmetic surgery world today, but before you proceed, you need to arm yourself with knowledge. Generally speaking, three of the most common questions in regards to skin resurfacing are, “What are some of the risks associated with skin resurfacing?”, “What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?” and “What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?” Answers to each of these questions can be found below.

What are some of the risks associated with skin resurfacing?
The risks associated with skin resurfacing are minimal. However, as is the case with every surgery, there are risks to bear in mind, and your cosmetic surgeon will explain them to you in detail prior to the procedure. Generally, risks that can be associated with skin resurfacing surgery include hematoma, swelling, extended periods of pain, infections and negative reactions to anesthesia.

What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?
If you’re having a skin procedure done, you need to work closely with your cosmetic surgeon to prepare properly for the procedure. Skin grafting is an invasive procedure, and you’ll need to follow the doctor’s recommendations regarding diet, fluid intake, alcohol ingestion and cessation of smoking. Your doctor will also make sure that you’re psychologically prepared to handle the recovery from the procedure.

What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?
The day of your surgery will be several things all rolled up into a few hours. Every patient runs the gamut of emotions when it comes to any surgery, so do not be alarmed if you feel a combination of fear, anxiety, excitement and anticipation. In terms of the day itself, you will most likely report to an out-patient care facility for your skin surgery, and assuming that the procedure goes as planned, you’ll probably wake up in recovery feeling a bit groggy and confused. Again, this is normal, as general anesthesia takes time to wear off.

In general, patients have questions regarding skin resurfacing procedures. Three of the most common are, “What are some of the risks associated with skin resurfacing?”, “What steps should I take to prepare for surgery?” and “What can I expect the day of surgery to be like?” If you’d like more specific information regarding the condition of your skin, you need to contact a cosmetic surgeon immediately.

Skin Resurfacing Recovery

If you’re considering having surgery to restore your skin, you owe it to yourself to obtain as much knowledge as possible. Many patients consider only the procedure itself, but recovery from the surgery is critical in helping you towards your long-term goals. As such, three recommended questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon include, “How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?”, “When can I pursue my normal activities again?” and “How long can I expect results to last?” Answers to each of these questions are provided below.

How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?
If you have skin graft surgery, you will be sore afterwards. Skin grafting is a major operation, and you’ll need to be ready for pain, numbness and discomfort after you wake up from the anesthesia. However, your condition will improve rapidly, and you should expect to be back up on your feet and moving around within a couple of weeks.

When can I pursue my normal activities again?
“Normal” activities is a relative term. If you’re a tri-athlete or extremely active, it will be months before you can resume your full slate of activities. Your replacement skin will be extremely sensitive to abrasions, cuts and stretching, and you’ll need to be mindful of that fact before you resume your routine. In terms of returning to work or school, you should be able to return to those activities in a matter of days or weeks.

How long can I expect skin resurfacing results to last?
After your skin is replaced, you can expect that your new skin will last a lifetime, barring any unforeseen event. However, your new skin will not necessarily remain in its smooth condition forever. Skin changes as people age, and your surgery will accomplish the immediate results in that you’ll look and feel much younger. But as you continue to age, your new skin will age with you, although the “rewind” you achieve with your replacement skin will always remain.

Overall, three of the most common questions asked by patients unhappy with their skin are, “How will I look and feel immediately following the surgery?”, “When can I pursue my normal activities again?” and “How long can I expect results to last?” These questions are answered in general terms above, but if you’re considering a skin resurfacing procedure, the best thing you can do is consult a cosmetic surgeon immediately.

Your surgeon will be able to explain to you how the entire process works, but most importantly will be able to set your expectations properly in terms of timetables and ultimate recovery.

Skin Resurfacing Checklist

Skin resurfacing can encompass several strategies, including surgery and the use of topical creams. Below are some brief facts in relation to the improvement of unsightly skin.

Background of Skin Resurfacing Procedures
The background of skin procedures dates back more to necessity than aesthetics. Injuries such as burns led for the need for skin to be replaced, and over time the procedure has expanded in terms of its availability.

Best Candidates for Skin Resurfacing
The best candidates for any available skin procedures are those with unsightly skin that can be improved. The best candidates are also those in good physical and psychological health.

Uncertainty and Risk of Skin Resurfacing

Uncertainty and risk is something to keep in mind with skin resurfacing, as is the case with any procedure. Although complications are rare statistically, they can include infections, swelling, hematoma and a negative reaction to anesthesia.

Planning for Skin Resurfacing Surgery
Planning for surgery involves several steps, and this is best accomplished in conjunction with your cosmetic surgeon. Examples of planning for surgery include guidelines that govern diet, sleep patterns and smoking.

Preparing for Skin Resurfacing Surgery
Preparing for surgery includes taking steps to make sure that you have allotted for enough time to recover from the procedure, arranging for a ride home from the surgery and making sure you’re mentally prepared to attack the recovery process with vigor.

Where Surgery is Performed
Where surgery is performed depends somewhat on the extent of the procedure, and the surgery can occur at an out-patient care facility or at a hospital.

How Skin Resurfacing Surgery is Performed
How surgery is performed depends on several factors, including the extent of the skin replacement, the location of the skin that’s being replaced and the underlying health conditions of the patient.

Anesthesia
Anesthesia levels also vary depending on the extent of the procedure. For minor skin resurfacing, local anesthesia is generally used. For complete skin grafting, however, general anesthesia is usually recommended.

Post-Op
Post-op considerations include creating an environment that’s conducive to recovery and being prepared for the duration of this recovery. Generally speaking, the post-op period can range from days to weeks to months in certain situations.