chemical peels or laser - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

stprdi · 03-16-2003, 08:54 PM

I am 40 and have alot of sun damage/dark spots and patchy color to my face. Not much for fine lines or wrinkles. I'm thinking of a peel or laser treatment. Can anyone offer some insight on the different peels or laser. Which might be best for me?

sakara33 · 03-22-2003, 11:41 AM

There are alot of different types of acids that are used to accomplish chemical peels. Acids commonly used are glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid, or fruit acid), trichloracetic acid (TCA), lactic acid, and salicylic acid. Which all vary in price, from $75 to $100 or more a session or some Dr.s have package deals....that you might by 9 peels for a certain price and get the 10th FREE and even when your done with your sessions and you may be totally happy with the results, some people have to go back to have 1 peel done every month or sometimes every other month to keep there results.......depending on the person.

Light Peel = chemical peels penetrate only the top layers of skin. These peels are used to treat acne, rosacea, and pigmentation problems. Most usually a series of peels are done, with increasing acid strength or time as the skin tolerates. There is occasional redness (sunburn like) after each peel. That can be covered with make-up. Which I have done (glycolic) on myself, and liked the results but hated having to do it every week and then once a month afterwards. And there are pros and cons to all the different treatments available.

Medium Peels = penetrate a little deeper into the skin, and have more effect. These peels are used to treat fine wrinkles and sun damaged skin. Occasionally they are used for pigmentation problems that do not respond to light peels. There is more of a burning feeling with this type of peel, and usually 1 week is set aside for healing.

Deep Peels = penetrate even deeper into the dermis and are used for more pronounced wrinkles. Laser Skin Resurfacing yields much more effective and long lasting results. If you are interested in eliminating wrinkles, the laser is the way to go.

Which ever you decide to do, make sure you search and search for a good DR. and read all you can about the one you decide on, and also if you are not using a sunscreen now I would suggest that you start . If I personally had the money I would have the Laser Resurfacing done, I have seen the results and they are amazing. But that is my opinion. So good luck and like I said RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.........hope that helped

stprdi · 03-23-2003, 12:57 PM

Thanks for the reply. I do not have many wrinkles. What causes me grief is mainly just the variation in skin tone as well as some pronounced larger brown spots which I think may be sun damage. I would love a mini facelift but am fearful of the procedure. I'm hoping this may make me happy enough so I don't have to go with the facelift. I always have in my brain the "what if" scenario. Suppose I'm scared of having it backfire. Did that concern you?

sakara33 · 03-27-2003, 12:29 PM

Yes, I think it does for alot of women including myself, also if you are on Estrogen for a long period of time it can cause the pigment change (or discoloration of the skin)just as he sun can, even some types of birth control can. Also have you tryed Renova or Retina A (maybe this is all you would need)I am using Retina A and love it, it takes care of the little lines around the eyes or acne that I have, and if you can deal with the peeling,(some people peel more then others) which that is what it is suppose to do to get rid of the dead skin(as we get older our cells or skin doesn't renew itself as it did when we were in our teens, as we get even in our late 20's it slows down dramaticly,and it slows even more as we get older)but the peeling does subside after you get to a point to where you like what you see, then you used it just every once in awhile. But you really have to watch your sun exposure cause it could make it worst. Now the Renova is not as strong as the Retina A and probably would take longer to see results but it isn't has harsh or as strong as the Retina A it is more used for someone who has sensitive skin....it does have some peeling but not as much as with the Retina A....but no matter what just make sure you are using a good moisturizer that will protect you from UVRays ....I have quit laying in the tanning bed and outside... Don't get me wrong I do get a little color in the summer but not as much as when I was younger....I do protect my face at all costs....Hope that helps....