Facial artists: Removing wrinkles, blemishes is name of the game

2011-08-24 08:50:54 | Source

Registered nurse Jennifer Erb is an artist of sorts.

Using a hand tool, lights and tiny needles, Erb helps her patients match what they feel on the inside with what they show on the outside  a vibrant, youthful face.

Gone are the days when women waited until mid-life or later to undo the signs of aging by taking that long vacation to hide in seclusion after having work done (aka the facelift).

Women, even those in their 20s and 30s, are increasingly turning to the latest nonsurgical techniques for better skin, fewer wrinkles and other subtle enhancements.

 It s becoming more socially acceptable and people are less embarrassed than they were five years ago, said Erb, an aesthetic nurse at the Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in Neenah.  In general, people are much more open about discussing it.

Cathy Bennett, of Appleton, only wishes she had started her treatments when she was younger.

 If I had known about it, I would have done it sooner, said Bennett, who began getting regular microdermabrasion treatments and chemical peels four years ago at the Neenah plastic surgery practice. And last year, she began receiving Restylane injections to eliminate frown lines around her mouth.

 I grew up in Florida and was on the beach every summer, and I looked older than I felt, said Bennett.  The results are wonderful.

While Botox remains the darling of minimally invasive  facial rejuvenation options, several other procedures have taken their place among the most popular list.

Erb and registered nurse Kristin Shefchik, of Fox Valley Plastic Surgery in Oshkosh, gave us the rundown of each one.

Microdermabrasion

The promise: The procedure exfoliates the dead, outer layer of skin to reveal fresh skin underneath, reducing and removing fine wrinkles and unwanted pigmentation. Skin is left looking and feeling softer and smoother.

How it works: A nurse or esthetician uses a small hand-hand tool that sprays tiny, abrasive crystals across the face, which simultaneously vacuums away the dead skin. Variations of the procedure, such as the  silk peel, fox example, include adding a topical solution to hydrate the skin.

Down time: The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It doesn t hurt, but  feels like a cat licking your face, says Erb.

You can go back to work afterward.  You ll be a little pink, kind of like you ve been in the sun for an hour  nothing that can t be covered up with makeup, Shefchik said.

The numbers: $100 to $150 per session. Results last about six weeks, a normal skin cycle.

Good candidates:  Someone who wants to treat sun-damaged skin, age spots, superficial pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged or oily pore, blackheads, whiteheads or acne scars, added Erb.

It s not recommended for people with rosacea or broken capillaries.

Light to medium chemical peels

The promise: An acidic solution is used to peel away the skin s top layers, revealing fresh, new skin. It will remove fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems and may also remove precancerous skin growths, soften acne scars and control acne.

How it works: A nurse or esthetician applies the solution  typically glycolic, salicylic or trichloracidic acid  onto the face, where it sits for several minutes. A neutralizing solution is then applied. The skin will begin to peel within three days, revealing fresh skin.

Micro peels can offer more aggressive exfoliation than microdermabrasion.

Down time: The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes; no anesthetic is needed. Expect slight stinging, the equivalent of  hot water on a sunburn, Erb said.

Expect mild redness afterward. Peeling should be complete within six days.

 You can breakout for a couple of days afterward because it pulls up all the bad bacteria and opens up the pores, Shefchik added.

Good candidates: Someone who wants slightly more dramatic results than what microdermabrasion can offer. A person s skin condition, such as acne or rosacea, will dictate the type of peel. A person with darker pigmentation may not be a good candidate.

The numbers: Roughly $75 to $150 per treatment. Some results can be permanent, such as removal of sunspots, if a patient follows through with good skin care.

Photo rejuvenation

The promise: Light therapy is used to remove a variety of skin imperfections, including pigmented lesions, sun spots, large pores, skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, broken capillaries and redness caused by rosacea. It s also good for treating acne lesions.

How it works: A nurse or esthetician uses a hand-held light which emits  intense pulse light, zapping abnormal skin cells that cause pigmented lesions. It also kills acne-causing bacteria. After about 24 hours, lesions will begin to darken, crust over and slough off.

Down time: Procedure takes about a half-hour to an hour and can feel like someone  snapping rubber bands on your face, Erb said. Mild redness, stinging and swelling are possible during the first 24 to 48 hours. Skin lesions will darken and take up to 10 days to completely flake off.

Good candidates: People with  brown and red spots on their face, added Erb, such as those with acne, sun spots, rosacea or broken capillaries.

The numbers: Costs $150 to $500 per session, depending on the areas covered. May require a series of treatments for best results.

Soft tissue fillers

The promise: Hyaluronic acid, the most popular filler (trademark names include Restylane, Captique and Hylaform), temporarily corrects moderate facial wrinkles and folds. It s most commonly used to plump up lips and help eliminate smile lines and  pursing wrinkles around the mouth.

How it works: A nurse or physician injects the solution under the skin to restore volume and fullness. Over time, the body will absorb the biodegradable gel.

Down time: A topical anesthetic, which can be combined with a local anesthetic, is typically used to numb the area. The procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Patients can have redness, swelling and possible bruising afterwards, which usually subsides within a few days.

Good candidates:  Women in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are trying to prevent a facelift but want to add volume to their face, Shefchik said.

The procedure is also popular with younger women seeking fuller lips, Erb added.

The numbers: Can cost $400 to $1,500 depending on the number of areas injected. Results last about three to six months.

Botox

The promise: Botox reduces mild to moderate facial lines and wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles. It is most commonly used to eliminate forehead wrinkles, crow s feet and frown lines between the eyebrows.

How it works: A nurse or physician injects Botox  a protein made from the bacteria that causes botulism  which eliminates wrinkles by relaxing muscle contractions under the skin.

Good candidates: Anyone who wants to reduce or eliminate wrinkles caused by facial expressions.

Down time: Procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Side effects are rare and temporary, but may include mild bruising at the site, a droopy eyelid or eyebrow, and possible cold and flu-like symptoms.

The numbers: Average cost ranges from $250 to $700, depending on number of areas injected. Results last about three to four months. Repeat injections over time can make the results longer lasting

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