Services

Chemical Peels
Chemical peels offer safe and effective ways to improve the texture of the skin on men and women of all ages. Chemical peels involve the application of a solution to the skin which causes the skin to peel off. As the skin heals a new fresh skin surface evolves. The new regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old. It may also help to reverse some of the sun damage that can lead to skin cancer. Chemical peels are not a substitute for facelifts, but can improve the texture of the skin. There are different types of peels and at Lakeside Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology Center, P.A. one of our doctors will determine the correct peel for your skin type, pigmentation, age and personal expectations. The amount of improvement varies from person to person and the recovery time depends on the type of chemical peel used.

The superficial glycolic acid peels are very popular because the procedure can be done in approximately 30 minutes with the patient returning to work that same day. These peels are often done in a series of six spaced approximately 2 weeks apart. Maintenance peels are often done every 6 weeks thereafter. Slight stinging may occur during the application of the glycolic acid but this resolves when the solution is removed. Redness and mild peeling may occur 24 - 48 hours after the procedure.

TCA peels are a slightly deeper peel used for moderate aging with wrinkling and mild scarring. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour and there may be mild swelling of the treated areas which usually peaks about the second to third day after the peel. This generally subsides rapidly. You will need to avoid strenous activities for the first week and can expect to go out socially in about 5 to 7 days after the peel.

Laser Skin Surgery
Lasers can now treat many skin lesions. Lasers selectively destroy the lesion without damaging surrounding normal skin. Pigmented spots, broken blood vessels, tattoos and some scars can be improved with lasers. Laser skin resurfacing is a technique used to rejuvenate wrinkled sun damaged skin and some types of acne scarring. It removes the surface layer of the skin leaving a smooth new beginning where damage once was. It is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Healing generally takes 10 days, however, the skin may appear noticeably pink for up to a month.

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a method to reduce or eliminate unsightly and uncomfortable leg veins. A solution is injected into the veins with a small needle and over the course of several weeks the vessel turns to scar tissue and fades from view. Depending on the size of the vein, a single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once. After several treatments, 50 to 80 percent improvement can be expected. But remember that the goal is to improve the appearance, It may be difficult to completely eradicate all the vessels.

Sclerotherapy treatments are generally performed every 6 to 8 weeks apart. The injection may create a burning sensation at the time of treatment, but this is usually transient and resolves quickly. Some patients may develop dark spots at the site of injection. Occasionally, a painful small ulcer at the treatment site either immediately or within a few days of injection appears. As these heal, they may leave a white scar. Development of "mats" of blood vessels can occur at the sites of injection. Most resolve spontaneously, some persist despite re-treatment. Inflammation of treated blood vessels can occur with tenderness, pain and redness. This usually resolves with rest, compression, bed rest and antibiotics.