Chemical peels accounted for more than 26,500 of the minimally invasive procedures performed by American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive members in 2012. Ablative laser treatments accounted for another 26,201 of the more popular skin resurfacing treatments.
These treatments are equally popular with some celebrities.
Jennifer Aniston
Former Friends‘ star Jennifer Aniston’s youthful look is partially credited to her passion for laser skin treatments. She loves the sun, and sun spots are one of the things sun lovers deal with as they age. While she confessed to Conan O’Brien that following a laser treatment she looks like a “battered burn victim,” her skin always looks flawless.
Ellen Barkin
Now nearing her 60s, actress Ellen Barkin still has gorgeous skin. She states she is opposed to invasive surgeries and Botox, but she does embrace Thermage and Fraxel laser treatments. She also undergoes light facial peels in order to keep her aging face looking radiant.
Brooke Burke
Co-host of Dancing with the Stars, Brooke Burke sought chemical peels and laser treatments after developing melasma, darkened facial skin that goes hand in hand with pregnancy. She says that each pregnancy brought new dark brown blotches to her face. Despite the treatments, she never noticed much reduction until she underwent a VI Peel. The VI peel combines phenol, TCA, tretinoic acid, and vitamin C.
Kim Kardashian
Many people have love or loathe feelings about reality star Kim Kardashian. Despite those feelings, no one can argue that Kim Kardashian does have beautiful skin. Part of her skin regimen involves periodic Fraxel laser treatments. The laser treatments help renew the surface of the skin to give it a healthy glow.
Gwyneth Paltrow
While actress Gwyneth Paltrow claims she is not a fan of Botox Cosmetic, she did admit to really enjoying the effects of Thermage. Paltrow likens the sensation during a treatment to being snapped with electrically-charged rubber bands.
About Chemical Peels
Chemical peels help improve dull skin by removing the upper damaged layers and leaving new layers in their place. If you want to get rid of acne scars, freckles, fine lines and wrinkles, or sun spots, a chemical peel may be a good choice.
During a consultation, your facial plastic surgeon views your skin and listens to your concerns to decide what type of chemical peel is best. Strengths range from a light peel to a deep peel. After a peel, your skin may look sunburned. Eventually, the dead skin flakes off and younger, fresher looking skin appears in its place.
About Laser Treatments
There are several different laser treatments available. A Fraxel (fractionated CO2) laser corrects the appearance of age spots, freckles, mottled skin, and spider veins. These treatments also help tighten the skin, which reduces the appearance of fine lines. After a treatment, your skin may be red and tight, much like having a sunburn. It can take two or three months before you really notice the difference in your skin. Erbium lasers and IPL are other skin treatment options.
Take a look at the before and after pictures of patients who undergo skin resurfacing treatments at The Naderi Center for Rhinoplasty & Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Jessica Kulak is an expert in aging faces and offers laser treatments and chemical peels to help turn back the signs of aging. To schedule a consultation with the Virginia facial plastic surgeon, click here to contact us or call (703) 481-0002.
