A ^Retired Plastic Surgeon's Notebook

Facial Non-Surgical Procedures » Skin Rejuvenation with Chemical Peels and Medical Skin Care

Facial Resurfacing with Croton oil chemical peel by Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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Skin Rejuvenation with Chemical Peels and Medical Skin Care

Skin resurfacing procedures use the skin’s natural healing ability to improved the skin’s texture, pigmentation and overall health. All resurfacing procedures remove the superficial layer of skin. As the skin heals, new collagen is laid down which makes the skin healthier and more vibrant. Sometimes precancerous skin area are also removed.

The amount of improvement and the “down time” from skin resurfacing are directly proportional to the depth of the skin removal. Very superficial procedures like microdermabrasion or a very light TCA peel have almost no down time. Deeper procedures like a Croton oil peel or ablative laser have a long healing period but also have dramatic and long lasting results.  For some patients, the best “procedure” is really just a very serious skin care program using light acids, bleaching cream and Retin A (the Obagi Nu-Derm System). There is no down time and the results can be very impressive if the patient sticks with the program.

I currently offer the Obagi Nu-Derm System and various chemical peels such as a light TCA peels for eyelids up to a Croton oil peel for deep wrinkles. I provide very careful follow-up during the healing phase to minimize discomfort and promote uncomplicated healing.

I also provide treatment for some other complexion issues such as facial spider veins, small hemangiomas and seborrheic keratoses. These are all lesions that usually respond well to removal with an electrosurgical device. Deeper lesions such as moles or skin cancer are managed with surgical removal and reconstruction if necessary.

I currently do not offer laser treatments.

If you have a skin condition that I do not have experience in treating or if I think you would benefit most from laser treatment, I am happy to refer you to a dermatologist.

To schedule an appointment, please call my office at (206) 467-1101.