Skin Rejuvenating Treatments Sought by Celebrities

Chemical peels accounted for more than 26,500 of the minimally invasive procedures performed by members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2012. Ablative laser resurfacing accounted for another 26,201.

Both treatments are popular with celebrities, too.

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 has said she is opposed to invasive surgery and Botox, but she does get Thermage and Fraxel treatments (Fraxel is a brand of fractional laser resurfacing). She also has light peels to keep her skin looking fresh.

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, tretinoin and vitamin C.

Kim Kardashian

People tend to love or loathe reality star Kim Kardashian, but few would argue that she doesn’t have beautiful skin. Part of her regimen is periodic Fraxel laser treatment, which renews the surface of the skin and gives 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 improve freckles, fine lines and wrinkles, or sun spots, a chemical peel may be a good choice. For acne scars, laser resurfacing, microneedling and Morpheus8 usually do more.

At a consultation, your provider examines your skin and listens to your concerns to decide which 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 fractional laser, such as the UltraClear or CO2 lasers we use at The Naderi Center, improves age spots, freckles and mottled skin. 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 laser resurfacing and IPL photofacial (the practice uses the Sciton BBL) are other options.

The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery & Dermatology offers laser resurfacing and chemical peels for sun damage, fine lines and other signs of aging, and our before-and-after gallery shows the results of skin resurfacing patients. To schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call (703) 481-0002.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a chemical peel and laser resurfacing?

A chemical peel uses a solution to remove the upper, damaged layers of skin, and strengths range from light to deep. Laser resurfacing uses light energy instead; fractional lasers such as UltraClear improve age spots, freckles and mottled skin and help tighten the skin to soften fine lines. A consultation decides which one suits your skin.

Does The Naderi Center offer Fraxel?

No. The practice does not have a Fraxel laser. For fractional resurfacing it uses UltraClear, and deeper fractional CO2 resurfacing is done by Dr. Naderi in the operating room under general anesthesia.

How long is the downtime after laser resurfacing?

With UltraClear, downtime is about 5 to 7 days for a light treatment and 7 to 10 days for a deeper one. The skin is red and tight at first, much like a sunburn, and the full improvement in tone and texture shows over the following two to three months.

Is laser resurfacing safe for darker skin?

UltraClear is safe for all skin types, including darker skin. The main risks of any laser resurfacing are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and scarring, especially in unskilled hands, so the laser and settings are chosen carefully at your consultation.

What is a VI Peel?

The VI Peel is a chemical peel that combines phenol, TCA, tretinoin and vitamin C. It is one of the peels used for uneven pigmentation such as melasma. At The Naderi Center, VI Peels can be done by our physicians or our aesthetician.