Chemical Peels, Laser Resurfacing

Chemical Peels or CO₂ laser resurfacing is often necessary to achieve the smooth look that patients seek from eyelid or facelift surgery, because the procedures themselves cannot pull the skin tight enough to remove these lines. A chemical peel or laser resurfacing can be expected to give additional improvement and enhancement to the facelift and the eyelid surgery.

Facial resurfacing can also improve the splotchy cheek pigmentation that is caused by pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills. Dark under-eye circles may also be alleviated by a chemical peel. Chemical peels and laser surgery are used to treat pre-cancerous sun-damaged spots. Laser surgery is used to treat sunspots and remove facial wrinkles.

The chemical peel procedure involves the application of a special mixture of chemicals to the skin with cotton swabs. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser works by vaporizing the upper layer of skin away as opposed to peeling it with a mild chemical burn.

Candidates for these procedures may possess fine, spider web-like wrinkles that are most noticeable along the cheekbones, lower eyelids, and outer corners of the eyes (crow's feet). Splotchy cheek pigmentation and dark circles may also be alleviated by these procedures.