Skin Rejuvenation

If you would like to have younger-looking skin, there are many ways to do it. At Kim Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer an array of effective skin treatments to reduce lines and wrinkles, remove some of the discoloration and sun damage, and firm up the skin tone. These procedures could be done with or without cosmetic surgery.

Skin Structure Overview

The skin has three main layers:

Epidermis – the top layer which is continually renewing itself. It has five sub-layers. The top sub-layer (horny layer) discards old cells and replaces them with young, new cells that have risen up from its lowest sub-layer, the basal layer. The basal sub-layer also contains melanin – pigment cells that provide the skin’s color.

Dermis – the middle layer, which holds many structures such as oil glands, hair follicles, nerves, blood vessels, and the tiny muscles that cause goosebumps. It has two sub-layers, one of which consists of a web of collagen and elastin fibers. This connective tissue provides youthful skin support, creating a smooth surface. It has a ridged texture that you can see in your fingertips – your fingerprints.

Hypodermis (sub-cutaneous layer) – technically not part of the skin, but it contains more connective tissue, as well as sweat glands, fat that provides insulation, and larger nerves and blood vessels

When we are young, the skin’s epidermis replaces itself briskly, maintaining a smooth surface. As we age, it slows down and this is a contributing factor to wrinkles. This is where skin rejuvenation techniques can help.

Skin Rejuvenation Procedures

There are a number of methods for removing the epidermis, all of which stimulate the skin to more quickly replace those lost cells. In the process, the skin also creates firmer cells so that you emerge from the recovery period with a smoother skin texture and a more youthful glow.

They all create a condition like a mild to moderate sunburn, where the top cells peel off and make way for the new cells from beneath. This takes just a few days.

One method is a chemical peel. You can choose a mild, medium, or deep peel, depending on how deeply into the skin you want the treatment to penetrate. Another very popular method is laser skin resurfacing. The laser can be customized to penetrate at certain depths and its mild heat vaporizes surface skin cells. There are many kinds of medical lasers and Dr. Kim uses two of the best: the Fraxel laser and the Erbium laser. Dermabrasion uses a slightly roughened wheel that spins very rapidly to abrade the skin’s top cells. This is a good procedure for scar treatments.

Each skin rejuvenating method has its advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Kim and his friendly staff focus particularly on the face and have a great deal of experience and knowledge. Dr. Kim can discuss various procedures with you and together you can determine the best way to go. All our cosmetic enhancement is customized to you, to match your personal style. Please see our page on Facial Plastic Surgery Questions for more information.

If you would like to schedule a personal consultation, please contact our Atlanta, Georgia plastic surgery office today.

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