Physician Skin Care FAQ | Yes They're Fake! Cosmetic Plastic Surgery & Beauty Network

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1. What is Physician Skin Care?
2. When can Physician Skin Care be use?
3. What does a typical Physician Skin Care consultation entail?
4. How is Physician Skin Care performed or administered?
5. What should I expect post-treatment?
6. Does Physician Skin Care burn or sting?
7. When will I be able to see the results?
8. What are the risks of Physician Skin Care?
9. Are the results permanent?

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1. What is Physician Skin Care?

Physician skin care is of course the a great course of action for those who have skin and complexion woes and who do not respond successfully to over the counter formulations. Some individuals may need increased exfoliation to remove several layers of skin either all at once with deep chemical peels or through gradual chemical-induced exfoliation via products such as Retin A or alpha hydroxy acids. There are options which use manual exfoliation such as microdermabrasion or dermabrasion, as well. There are even more invasive measures which use laser light (laser resurfacing) to remove several layers of skin instantly.

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2. When can Physician' Skin Care be used?

Physician Skin Care is generally started from the early teens on up to whatever age you fee like it. Many men and women well up into their 80's use Physician's Skin Care.

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3. What does a typical Physician Skin Care consultation entail?

After checking a several physicians' backgrounds and credentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these surgeons/dermatologists/aestheticians (depending) and discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health; if you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. - this is very important. You really should consider smoking cessation as this can significantly decrease healing for more invasive procedures. Visit the Medication & Supplements List for more information. Also smoking can significantly affect vascularity and contribute to poor skin complexion and condition.

You will discuss your complaints and concerns and discuss the various techniques, the amount that can be corrected, etc. He or she should discuss the risks associated with hyperpigmentation removal procedures with you, as well.

If you would like more information on Consultations or a list of questions to ask your surgeon please visit the Consultation Help Page. If you should choose to book or reserve a surgery date for a more invasive treatment you will usually give a deposit to hold your surgery date. Most times if you cancel a few days beforehand, this amount is non-refundable. After paying your deposit and scheduling a surgery date, you will also schedule a pre-operative appointment...

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4. How is Physician Skin Care treatment performed or administered?

It can be either in office thin peels and treatments or at home regimens. This is highly dependent upon your needs, your dedication and your budget.

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5. What should I expect post-treatment?

Great skin isn't uncovered overnight. Great skin takes time -- generally a lot of time. Be patient and be realistic in your expectations as exfoliation takes many days if you wish to have no down time from immediate exfoliation measures (laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, deep chemical peels, salibrasion, etc.). If you don't mind the downtime than consider the more invasive options which carry with it more risks but faster benefits.

Many treatments - especially home care regimens - leave you red and peeling and even worse off than you were original, at first. Perseverance will get you where you want to be. Just remember this. Many patient stop because the benefits are uncovered and they are left with distaste for these treatments -- often never going back and finishing. Please trust us, there is a silver lining if you stick with it.

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6. Does Physician Skin Care burn or sting?

This depends upon your course of action, it very well may but nothing too serious that a little cool air from a blowing fan can't help with. During some aggressive home regimens of Retin A use there may be cracking and bleeding of the skin around the mouth and corners of the eyes if you aren't careful. Strictly abide by your physician's instructions!

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7. When will I be able to see the results?

Anywhere from right away to many months from now - more invasive treatments provide benefits much faster but usually carry with it downtime. Gradual means will give you gradual benefits -- but with little or no downtime.

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8. What are the risks of Physician Skin Care?

The risks, complications & contraindications vary significantly and is highly dependent upon the treatment chosen.

For Chemical Peels:
If you have oral herpes. You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for oral acyclovir - one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.

Be careful of crusting or excessive weeping. In AHA peels you may think this is normal but there is a borderline appearances that you must watch out for. Ask your skin care specialist for specifics regarding what to look for. If for a typical AHA peel, you should feel and look normal within 3 to 4 days. For deeper peels your downtime may take weeks and then months for complete recovery.

If you experience painful areas of the face, contact your surgeon or skin care specialist immediately - ESPECIALLY if you are prone to cold sores. Blisters that form will need to be reported immediately!

Hyperpigmentations (excessive coloration) and hypopigmentation (lack of pigmentation) can be problematic of misdiagnosed skin types, failure to reveal any skin problems or ethnicity and improper post-peel care. Infection is uncommon but possible so keep an eye out for redness and pain.

Scarring is a problem if the above is experienced so please adhere to your post-peel instructions to decrease your chances of long term or permanent, visible signs of damage.

For Microdermabrasion:
There are not many risks associated with microdermabrasion if you are a healthy adult, but enough to mention for those of you with skin or medical conditions. If the medical grade machines are used at high power it carries potential risks of hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Infection can also be a risk if the machines are not sterile. Many components of these machines are meant to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out with a new disposable piece. Any and all pieces that come into contact with your skin should be able to be sterilized or changed out. Furthermore, it was brought up by a doctor in an article on Medscape, that there could be possible harm from the inhalation of the aluminum in the Al2O3 crystals, also known as Corundum.

*Also, you should NOT have a microdermabrasion treatment on the affected area if you have the following:

Undiagnosed lesions
Recent herpes outbreaks
Warts
Active, weeping acne (stages 3-4)
Active Rosacea
Unstable diabetes
Auto-immune system disorders
Some patients hyperpigment post-op. Lower pressures are used on follow-up treatments for these individuals.

*source for the immediate above, Medscape Medical Journal (1999)

For Melanin Blocking-type Formulations:
Risks can be irritation, permanent hypopigmentation, increased hyperpigmentations if you do not use sun block during this time. Ochronosis (black speckles or discolorations) if high strengths are used for long periods of time - especially in patients with ethnic backgrounds, or naturally darker skin.

Surgical Alternatives & Their Risks, Complications & Contraindications

For Laser Resurfacing:
There are minor risks and complications involved with Laser Skin Resurfacing which include but are not limited to prolonged hyperpigmentation. In 5 to 10% of patients, darkening or brown discoloration will occur requiring bleaching creams. This will generally resolved the discoloration in 2 to 3 months. Prolonged redness occurs in 3 to 5% of patients and this delays the fading to normal color by about 2 months.

There may be more intense burns associated with laser resurfacing. Take care in choosing your surgeon wisely. A specialist should be sought as the surgeon who is not experienced with the technique and light touch could very well burn you rather deeply, making matters worse.

If you have oral herpes. You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for oral acyclovir - one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.

Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin (ethnic skin tones) may be at risk for pigmentation changes (hypo-/hyper- pigmentation) no matter what type of resurfacing method is recommended. Your surgeon should evaluate your skin characteristics and family history before making any diagnosis for treatment.

*Warning: Patients having used Accutane in the past 12 to 18 months, those who are prone to abnormal scarring or Keloids and those with frequent skin eruptions such as psoriasis, eczema and herpes may not be good candidates for Laser Skin Resurfacing. Consult with your doctor for more on this subject.

For Intense Pulsed Light:
Although rare, blistering or slight bleeding is possible as is hypo- or hyper-pigmentation (lightened or darkened areas of skin). If pigmentation problems occur, it may be anywhere from 3 to 12 months before normal skin tome returns. This is especially so with hypo-pigmentation (lack of color). Be aware that some patients may experience permanent skin pigmentation changes. Scarring is possible although it too is a rare occurrence.

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9. Are the results permanent?

This depends upon your maintenance dedication and habits thereafter. Photo damage can happen again if you choose to sunbathe and expose yourself to UV light or harsh chemicals, smoking, hormones, drugs, etc. While skin care can dramatically improve skin tone and texture -- it cannot stop the aging process.

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