Skin Resurfacing
In Houston

Microneedling is the process of making tiny microperforations in the outermost layer of skin. A special instrument is used that has hundreds of extremely fine needles. These needles are used to create small perforations in the skin. Though this is not technically a resurfacing procedure, microneedling is used to change the texture of the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Many spas in Houston, TX also offer microneedling. The difference between Spa-level microneedling and plastic surgeon level microneedling is the depth of penetration of the needles. Spa technicians microneedle to a depth of approximately 1.5 mm (millimeters). Our usual depth of penetration is 2 mm.

Microneedling can be thought of as similar to lawn aeration. When you create holes in the lawn, you allow nutrients to reach the roots of the turf. To further enhance the effect of microneedling, chemicals and medicines can be added while the microperforations are open to enhance skin rejuvenation. A stem cell facial performed by Dr. Athre involves using microneedling and your own adipose (Fat cell) derived stem cells to enhance the regenerative property of skin.

Microneedling by itself helps with skin rejuvenation by creating small micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s inflammatory system to heal these micro-injuries. That process helps with collagen and elastin regeneration which helps with skin texture and plumpness.

Dermabrasion is the process of mechanically sanding skin. Medical spas use microdermabrasion which is a machine that emits sand or some other abrasive agent at a high pressure to strip away the most superficial layer of epidermis.

Dermabrasion uses a machine that spins at a high RPM connected to a diamond wheel to sand the skin. The dermabrasion instrument can only be used by surgeon because the dermabrasion machine can be very aggressive if the user does not appreciate the power of the machine. The target depth for dermabrasion is into the superficial dermis.

Dermabrasion is the gold standard treatment for treatment of scars, and acne scars. Dermabrasion sands the heaped up scar down to the flat surface of the surrounding skin to achieve smooth, homogenous level. Dermabrasion can also be used superficially to sand the superficial level of the skin to achieve wrinkle reduction by triggering increased collagen and elastin growth and remodeling.

Click here to see a video on how dermabrasion is done.

Chemical peels have been around since ancient times. Queen Cleopatra herself used to bathe in soured milk to keep her complexion smooth and vibrant. As disgusting as that sounds, soured milk is lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid!

Chemical peels use acids to dissolve the outer layer of skin. The strength of the acid as well as the time it is kept on the skin will determine the depth of penetration. Chemical peels are classified as mild, moderate and deep indicating how deep the peel is supposed to act. Examples of types of chemical peels include: alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, TCA (Tri-chloro-acetic acid), and Phenol/Gordon-Baker peels.

In a chemical peel procedure, Dr. Athre will apply the peeling solution to various target treatment areas of the face. Chemical peels can also be used in the decolletage and the back of the hands to combat the signs of aging. After the peel has penetrated to an appropriate depth, the peeling solution is neutralized.

Alpha hydroxy acid, Salicylic acid, and Glycolic acids are usually mild peels. TCA peels usually are moderate depth peels, and Phenol and Croton Oil peels are usually deep peels. This is an approximation and some TCA peels can be deep peels based on concentration and the time the acid is left on the skin.

Mild chemical peels may offer a brightening effect, whereas deep chemical peels can truly resurface skin, reduce wrinkles, tighten skin, and provide a rejuvenated appearance. Much like everything else in plastic surgery, chemical peels are an art form. They are provider dependent and require extensive experience to become proficient.

Click here to learn more about chemical peels.

Laser skin resurfacing is the use of a laser to selectively remove layers of skin. The most common types of lasers used for this purpose are: CO2 and Erbium. In both of these cases, the laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer.

Laser skin resurfacing is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and lines, especially near the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also one of the best ways to treat facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation and precancerous lesions.

Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration. Laser resurfacing may offer a number of advantages over other resurfacing methods, namely, precision, little (if any) bleeding, and less postoperative discomfort. Many people who have had a facelift maintain the results of their surgery with laser treatments.

Many patients have heard about Fraxel Laser. Fraxel laser is short-form for fractionated laser. Fractionated laser or Fraxel IS NOT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF LASER. It is a mode of delivering the laser beam. If you think of the laser beam as the water coming out of a garden hose, the normal or full ablative mode of the laser is opening the garden hose. Now imagine you have a nozzle on the garden hose that breaks the stream of water into multiple small streams. That is how a fractionated laser works.

Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific treatment areas. Often, Dr. Athré performs the procedure in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as eyelid surgery or a facelift.