Know More About Facial Rejuvenation, Side Effects & Results

With the combination of science and art, physicians are now capable of making your face appear more youthful and your skin appear more healthy. As you age, your skin loses its elasticity, and lines and wrinkles start to form along with dyspigmentation. These changes can now be treated with the help of skin rejuvenation treatment. The goal of this treatment is to reveal smoother and younger skin, improve the appearance of your skin and enhance your facial features.

The most common example of facial rejuvenation is skin resurfacing. It is a method in which the top layer of your skin is physically removed. It is done to remove damaged cells on the top layer of your skin by using different techniques such as light treatments, lasers, and acids. These treatments vary in downtime to recover and in the levels of invasiveness. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and dermabrasion are some examples of skin rejuvenation treatments. Laser resurfacing is further divided into two parts that are ablative laser resurfacing and non-ablative laser resurfacing. Chemical peels also come in different ranges of intensity.

Side Effects of Skin Rejuvenation Treatment

• Redness, swelling, and itching

Treated skin may feel swollen, red, and itchy. The redness may get intense and might stay for a couple of months. If you have any other previously existing skin condition such as rosacea, then it can also contribute to redness.

• Infection

If you're getting an ablative laser resurfacing treatment, then it has a risk that can lead to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. The most common infection after getting treatment is a flare-up of the herpes virus (it's a virus that causes cold sores). 

• Scarring

There is a slight risk of permanent scarring if you are getting an ablative laser.

• Acne

Applying thick bandages and creams on your treated area after the treatment can worsen acne or even cause tiny white bumps (milia) to develop temporarily on the treated skin.

• Changes in skin color

After getting an ablative laser resurfacing treatment, it can cause your skin to become darker or lighter than it was before the treatment in a couple of weeks after laser resurfacing. In people with darker skin color, the changes are most commonly permanent.

• Turning of the eyelid

It is very rare for the lower eyelid to turn out but in some cases when an ablative laser resurfacing treatment is done near the lower eyelid, it can turn out and expose the inner surface of the lower eyelid.

Also, not everyone is suitable for collagen rejuvenation therapy. Your doctor will caution you against skin rejuvenation treatment if:

• You have taken any acne medications ( Isotretinoin, myorisan, Claravis, zenatane) during the previous years.

• You have a tendency to form scars

• You have a darker skin tone

• You have a weak immune system or an autoimmune disease

• You have previously had radiation therapy done to your face

• You are prone to cold sores or previously had an outbreak of the herpes virus or cold sores

• You are breastfeeding or are pregnant

Results of Skin Rejuvenation Treatment

After completing a skin rejuvenation treatment, your skin might be pink or red for a period of several months. But once the treated area will begin to heal, you will be able to notice the difference in your skin quality and your appearance compared to before. The effects can last up to a year or even more if you take good care of it. If you got a non-ablative laser resurfacing treatment done, then the results will be more gradual and progressive. You will be able to notice improvements in your skin's texture and pigment rather than in wrinkles or fine lines. After the collagen rejuvenation treatment, make sure to avoid any unprotected sun exposure for at least one year or it can cause irregular pigmentation in your skin. This sun damage can reverse the results so to avoid this always wear SPF 30+ sunscreen whenever going out of the house. Also, you have to keep in mind that the results of this treatment are not permanent. As long as you age, your skin will continue to get lines and wrinkles by frowning, smiling, and squinting.