You Can Have Fewer Wrinkles: Ask Your Dermatologist About Skin Therapies

When you look in the mirror each day, what do you see? Are your eyes fixated on every wrinkle and line that has formed on your skin? While our outward appearance doesn’t define us, the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and other signs of aging can greatly affect our self-esteem. The good news is that, thanks to advances in dermatology, you can do something about your wrinkles and love the way you look.

If you’re looking to reduce your wrinkles and achieve healthier, more youthful skin, ask your dermatologist about skin therapies. Let’s go over what these treatments entail, and how they work.

What Are Skin Therapies?

Skin therapies refer to a number of treatments and methods in the realm of cosmetic dermatology designed to hydrate, brighten, smoothen, and rejuvenate one’s skin overall. These treatments differ from medical and surgical dermatology treatments that aim to treat or cure skin diseases and related symptoms. That said, those trained in cosmetic dermatology and general skin health can also help ease the symptoms of certain skin afflictions such as acne, eczema, rashes, and more.

In other words, skin therapies help people maintain healthy, better-looking skin more broadly. These therapies are useful for mitigating a number of visible skin imperfections or unwanted features, such as scars, pigmentation, and, of course, wrinkles.

Different Types of Skin Therapies

Trained dermatologists can administer several kinds of skin therapies, some of which might be more or less effective depending on your skin type. The most popular skin therapies include:

• Chemical Peels
• Facials
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser Therapies
• Thermage® (Radiofrequency)

Let’s explore each of these wrinkle reducing treatments further.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels help reduce wrinkles and other skin imperfections by removing the outermost layers of skin to promote the growth of new skin cells. These peels vary in chemical composition, though the most common peels feature glycolic acid. Those containing salicylic acid are often used to exfoliate oily skin and mitigate acne.

Chemical peels also differ in depth and duration. A deeper, longer chemical peel removes more dead skin but may also cause irritation and inflammation. These treatments are best administered by a dermatologist.

Facials

Facials are similar to chemical peels in many ways, and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, unlike a chemical peel, a facial treatment consists of moisturizers, serums, other cleansers, and steam to open up your pores so dirt and oil can be easily exfoliated. Facials are often concluded with a gentle massage to help stimulate skin cell production that results in younger-looking skin.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion may sound like a fancy word, but it’s easy to understand if you break it down. “Micro” means “small” or “precise,” “derm” refers to skin, and “abrasion” is the process of rubbing a surface with a coarse material to remove the outer layer. Taken together, microdermabrasion simply means scraping the skin with a fine, coarse material.

During this treatment, the practitioner uses an instrument that acts as a sanding tool and vacuum. The coarse material gently removes the upper layers of skin while the vacuum sucks up the dead cells. Dermatologists use microdermabrasion for acne, wrinkle reduction, and overall skin wellness.

Laser Therapies

Energy from a strong light source can also revitalize the skin in various ways. Different wavelengths of light target different pigments of skin cells, stimulating activity. One such treatment, Fraxel Re:store, reduces signs of aging by waking up the skin’s natural production of collagen, the protein that gives skin its structure and flexibility. Other types of laser therapies can be used to reduce wrinkles, scars, acne, and other skin issues.

Thermage

Thermage is a branded wrinkle treatment that uses radio frequencies to heat up layers of skin containing collagen in order to stimulate new collagen production. This, in turn, tightens the skin, reducing wrinkles in the process. In most cases, only one treatment is required initially, and results can last up to two years before fading.

If you’re ready to get rid of your wrinkles, the power is in your hands. At Premier Dermatology Partners, we aim to inform patients about every option available to help achieve healthier, better-looking skin. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.