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Written By: Erin Storm, PA-C
Medshop
For everyday skincare essentials, pre- and post-treatment support, procedure enhancers, or even treatment alternatives, we've got you covered.
- Who is a candidate?
- What can you expect from a procedure?
- When should you have a procedure?
- Why pursue a skin smoothing procedure?
- Laser Therapy for Smoother Skin
- Chemical Peels for Smoother Skin
- Acupuncture for Smoother Skin
- Abrasion for Smoother Skin
- Microneedling for Smoother Skin
- Plasma Skin Resurfacing for Smoother Skin
- Autologous Fat Transfer for Smoother Skin
- Topical Medications for Smoother Skin
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The Skinny
Over the counter skincare claims to promote new collagen production, remove fine lines, and synthesize special skin cells. This might be a slight exaggeration, but skincare products can typically only address the outer layers of skin. Cosmetic procedures for skin resurfacing like chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, and laser resurfacing can reach into deeper skin layers to provide significant and lasting results. Regardless of skin type or skin tone, these cosmetic procedures for skin resurfacing can create a new skin aesthetic free of fine lines, wrinkles, and a crepey appearance (learn more in our complete guide to Fine Line & Wrinkle Concerns).
The Specifics
Who may consider skin smoothing procedures to treat crepey skin, fine lines, and wrinkles?
Aging happens because collagen and elastin stop trying. Collagen and elastin are two critical structural skin proteins that provide the latticework for our tissues and allow skin to snap back into place.The Anatomy of Aging Skin
When these guys degrade with age, daily use, sun exposure, skin damage (like acne scars), exposure to irritants, or significant weight changes we get fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles: These are the grooves of varying depth that first form on the areas of our face that have seen the most action. Like the eyes and mouth. So basically stop squinting and talking.
- Crepey Skin: This is the cosmetic description for skin that looks like it has lost the will to live. Basically, the thin, sagging, and creased skin that can appear anywhere on the body and affect people of any age.
What can you expect from skin smoothing procedures?
When it comes to skin smoothing procedures there are plenty of choices. Depending on your desired aesthetic, and the intensity of your concern, there are different levels of invasiveness and techniques targeted to removing damage or encouraging rejuvenation-or in some cases both.- Chemical Peels: Superficial, medium, and deep chemical peels have exfoliating and rejuvenating properties. The intensity of the peel determines how deep into the skin layers the treatment penetrates.
- Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion: An exfoliation technique that can smooth and refine skin appearance.
- Laser Skin Resurfacing: The heat and light energy used in laser treatments ranges from intense (ablative) to less invasive (non ablative). These are excellent for crepey skin.
- Microneedling: Microdamage caused by the microneedles encourages the body to produce collagen-yay! Topical Medication: Specifically, tretinoin can be used to encourage the skin to replicate and produce new, healthy tissue.
The majority of these procedures are temporary, and require maintenance treatments for consistent results. Side effects and recovery time will correlate to the intensity of the procedure, as will the significance of the results. Even the simplest procedures on this page, however, will create noticeable improvements.
When should you consider skin smoothing procedures?
When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles age will be a major determinant, and treatment can be started when you’re feeling good and are ready to get to looking good too (not that you don’t already).Crepey skin can affect people of any age, and it can also appear anywhere on the body. Again pursuing treatment is usually only contingent upon your overall good health.
Why should you consider skin smoothing procedures?
You should consider a skin smoothing procedure for any of the following: you are trying to be the living embodiment of porcelain, you want to have better skin than a new born baby, you want to look like a time traveler, or you want to be able to look in the mirror and say “darn, you’re smooth”.Laser Skin Resurfacing for Skin Smoothing
Lasers can correct crepey skin, fine lines, and wrinkles with their controlled heat and light energy.Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Ablative Non-Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Overview: The most intense laser therapy that is used over a wide area of skin. Microdamage stimulates the body’s healing processes.
- Cost: $2,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Redness, flaking, and irritation for a few days. The results are temporary.
- Ablative Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Overview: The fractional aspect means the therapy is targeted to a specific area.
- Cost: $2,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Skin will be raw and flaky for a week or two. The results are temporary.
- Ablative CO2 Laser
- Overview: A type of ablative therapy utilizing a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.
- Cost: $2,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Redness and irritation at the treated area will resolve in a few days. The results are temporary.
- Ablative Erbium Laser
- Overview: Erbium is a compound, like CO2, that is deposited in skin. Erbium causes less surrounding tissue damage than CO2.
- Cost: $2,000 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Less aggressive than CO2 so the side effects and results are not as significant.
- CO2RE
- Overview: A specific type of CO2 laser.
- Cost: $1,000 - $3,500
- Recovery & Results: Rawness and flaking for a week or so. Results are temporary.
- Deka Dot
- Overview: A customizable laser therapy treatment .
- Cost: $1,500 - $3,000
- Recovery & Results: Irritation, redness, and flaking for a week or so. The results are temporary.
- Fraxel Repair
- Overview: A specific brand name ablative laser therapy.
- Cost: $800 - $6,500
- Recovery & Results: Skin will be tender and irritated for about two weeks. The results are temporary.
- Icon 2940
- Overview: This technique specifically stimulates collagen production.
- Cost: $2,000 - $3,800
- Recovery & Results: Redness, irritation, and flaking for a few weeks. The results are temporary.
- Pearl Laser
- Overview: A laser technique specifically designed to create a “pearl like” skin appearance.
- Cost: $1,200 - $3,000
- Recovery & Results: Flaking, irritation, and redness for a few weeks. The results are temporary.
- Pixel CO2
- Overview: A CO2 laser therapy stated to have less recovery time.
- Cost: $250 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Redness and irritation for about one week. The results are temporary.
- Profractional Laser Therapy
- Overview: A specific ablative fractional laser therapy .
- Cost: $200 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Skin will be irritated, red, and raw for about one week. The results are temporary.
- SmartSkin
- Overview: A highly customizable ablative fractional laser.
- Cost: $2,000 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Skin heals within one week. The results are temporary.
- Fraxis Duo
- Overview: A combination of laser energy, radiofrequency, and microneedling.
- Cost: $750
- Recovery & Results: Mild discomfort and irritation will resolve within a few days. The results are temporary.
Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Non-Ablative Non-Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Overview: Similar process to ablative, but less aggressive.
- Cost: $1,000 - $1,150
- Recovery & Results: Less side effects and recovery time than an ablative procedure. Multiple sessions will be needed and the results are temporary.
- Non-Ablative Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Overview: Same as non fractional, however, fractional means therapy is targeted to specific areas.
- Cost: $1,000 - $1,150
- Recovery & Results: Skin will feel raw, red, and irritated for about two weeks. The results are temporary and require multiple treatments.
- Clear + Brilliant
- Overview: A specific type of non-ablative fractional laser.
- Cost: $400 - $1,800
- Recovery & Results: Minimal irritation and redness. The results are temporary.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Overview: Intense pulse light therapy to damaged skin.
- Cost: $500 - $2,100
- Recovery & Results: Mild stinging and irritation for a few days. Multiple treatments for the best results.
- Pulsed Dye Laser
- Overview: Targeted light therapy usually used to dissolve blood vessels.
- Cost: $400 - $800
- Recovery & Results: Irritation and bruising will resolve within a week or so. Maintenance required every six months.
Chemical Peels for Skin Smoothing
Like a snake shedding skin, your face is going to lose some layers with a chemical peel — and that’s a good thing.- Superficial Chemical Peels
- Overview: This peel stays at the top most skin layers.
- Cost: $3,000 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Slight redness and irritation for a day. The results are temporary.
- Glycolic Peel
- Overview: A peel utilizing glycolic acid as it’s base.
- Cost: $200 - $600
- Recovery & Results: Some mild irritation. The results are temporary.
- Salicylic Acid Peel
- Overview: A common peel that can vary in intensity depending on the concentrations of salicylic acid.
- Cost: $100 - $300
- Recovery & Results: Minor irritation for about two days. Multiple treatments and maintenance are required.
- Jessner’s Peel
- Overview: A combination treatment of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol.
- Cost: $25 - $675
- Recovery & Results: Skin flaking may last up to one week. The results are temporary.
- Medium Depth Chemical Peel
- Overview: Peels of this intensity go through the superficial epidermis to the upper layers of the dermis.
- Cost: $200 - $2,000
- Recovery & Results: Redness, flaking, and irritation for up to two weeks. The results are temporary.
- TCA Peel
- Overview: The intensity of this peel can be medium or deep. The base is trichloroacetic acid.
- Cost: $300 - $1,000
- Recovery & Results: Irritation, flaking, and redness for up to two weeks. The results are temporary.
- ViPeel
- Overview: A solution composed of TCA, phenol, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamin C.
- Cost: $300 - $600
- Recovery & Results: Irritation, redness, and mild swelling for one week. Multiple treatments and maintenance are required.
- Deep Chemical Peel
- Overview: This intensity will get into the deeper layers of the dermis.
- Cost: $3,000 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Tenderness, irritation, and redness will last for a few weeks. Full healing may take several months, and skin may not tan the same in the future.
- Croton Oil Peel
- Overview: A deep peel with a Croton oil base.
- Cost: $250 - $5,500
- Recovery & Results: Full resolution of symptoms may take several months. Results can last for years.
- Phenol Peel
- Overview: Aka the Baker-Gordon Peel. A deep peel with a phenol base.
- Cost: $700 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Tenderness, redness, and mild swelling for a few weeks. The results can last for years
Cosmetic Acupuncture for Skin Smoothing
Acupuncture just like the kind you get in your back, except the needles are smaller.- Cosmetic Acupuncture
- Overview: Micro needles promote circulation and stimulate collagen production.
- Cost: $50 - $100
- Recovery & Results: Very minimal irritation and redness. . Typically five to 10 treatments are needed before results are seen. Results last about half a year.
Dermabrasion & Microdermabrasion for Skin Smoothing
Consider these exfoliating treatments the most precise shave you will ever have in your life.- Crystal Microdermabrasion
- Overview: A crystal tipped instrument exfoliates to promote rejuvenation.
- Cost: $75 - $300
- Recovery & Results: Some redness and irritation for a day or two. Multiple treatments for best results.
- Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion
- Overview: Like crystal microdermabrasion except the instrument is diamond tipped.
- Cost: $100 - $350
- Recovery & Results: Some irritation for a few days. Treatments every two to three weeks will create the best results.
- Dermabrasion
- Overview: A scalpel scrapes away skin layers revealing healthier skin.
- Cost: $100 - $4,000
- Recovery & Results: Redness, tenderness, and swelling for two weeks. The results will be subject to natural aging.
Microneedling for Skin Smoothing
Microneedling creates micro-wounds all over the face to stimulate collagen production and smooth skin.- Microneedling
- Overview: A.k.a. collagen induction therapy.
- Cost: $100 - $1,000
- Recovery & Results: Some redness and irritation for a few days. Maintenance treatments ideally once a month.
- Microneedling with PRP
- Overview: A combination of microneedling and injections of platelet rich plasma.
- Cost: $350 - $1,100
- Recovery & Results: Flaking and dryness for a few days. Monthly maintenance treatments for best results.
- Microneedling with Radiofrequency
- Overview: A combo of micro needling with radio frequency waves.
- Cost: $250 - $1,000
- Recovery & Results: Redness, flaking, and irritation for about one week. Monthly treatments are recommended.
- Microneedling with PRP and Stem Cells (aka Trifecta Therapy)
- Overview: Microneedling combined with platelet rich plasma and stem cells injections.
- Cost: $600 - $700
- Recovery & Results: Mild dryness, redness, and irritation for a few days. Monthly therapy is ideal.
- Infini RF
- Overview: Radio frequency waves and microneedling stimulate collagen and elastin production.
- Cost: $700 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Skin will be red and flaky for one week. The results last five years with maintenance treatments.
Plasma Skin Resurfacing for Skin Smoothing
Plasma skin resurfacing treats crepey skin, fine lines, and wrinkles by using a unique combination of wave energy and gas.- Plasma Skin Resurfacing
- Overview: Ultrahigh frequency waves along with nitrogen gas stimulate collagen and elastin.
- Cost: $50 - $2,000
- Recovery & Results: Mild redness and swelling for a few days. Yearly maintenance usually needed.
Autologous Fat Transfer for Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Liposuction and strategic injections mean no rejection risk with natural appearing results.- Facial Fat Grafting
- Overview: Fat harvesting via liposuction from one body area for strategic reimplantation into the face.
- Cost: $2,500 - $7,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising for up to four to eight weeks. There will be some level of fat reabsorption.
Topical Medication for Skin Smoothing
Topicals are a non-invasive solution to treat crepey skin and fine lines and wrinkles at home under the care of a dermatologist.- Tretinoin
- Overview: A topical lotion applied regularly to increase cell turnover rejuvenating skin.
- Cost: dependent on insurance
- Recovery & Results: Irritation and redness at the application site. Results maintained with consistent use.
The Takeaway
Laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, and even topical medications can remove fine lines, wrinkles, and creases while promoting healthy skin cells and creating new skin. A resurfacing procedure will smooth the appearance of skin and rejuvenate your overall aesthetic. Age spots, sun damage, acne scars, and damaged skin can all factor into the appearance of aged skin. Luckily, however, a certified plastic surgeon can help determine just the right treatment to restore your healthy and flawless skin.
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Source List
- American Academy of Dermatology Many Ways to Firm Sagging Skin
- The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery Skin Tightening americanboardofcosmeticsurgery.org
- Uwe Wollina Treatment of Facial Skin Laxity by a New Monopolar Radiofrequency Device PubMed.gov
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report plasticsurgery.org; 2019-01-01
