Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a mild to moderate method of refreshing the skin on the face and other areas. Treatment is quick and convenient, involving the application of a proprietary chemical solution on targeted skin. After a few minutes of absorption, the chemical solution stimulates a stronger exfoliation process than what happens naturally. Over a few days, dead and damaged skin cells slough off, allowing newer, healthier, younger-looking cells to emerge.

Laser Resurfacing

Many people consider laser treatments for their face but they forget lasers can work on all parts of the body. When the skin on the chest has become thin, crepe-like, and rough, laser resurfacing may be a solution. We perform laser skin resurfacing with either a gentle CO2 laser or an erbium laser depending on the degree of improvement a patient desires.

Microneedling

The microneedling technique has become a new fan-favorite in the past year or two. The treatment involves passing a needle-clad applicator tip over the skin. Several passes may be made to create hundreds of micro-channels in the skin. Unlike chemical peels and laser resurfacing, microneedling works by stimulating fibroblast cells to produce more vital proteins like collagen and elastin. These healing substances replenish the skin with fundamental attributes like firmness and stretchiness, keeping the skin younger-looking from the inside out.

Your face is only one of many parts of the body that will age in time. We can help you address others, like your chest, with convenient treatments. To schedule a consultation at our Austin med spa, call (512) 450-1077.

The post Is Your Chest Aging You? appeared first on Andrew Trussler, MD, PLLC.

What happens when the chemical peel is applied over the skin is that it has a resurfacing action and polishes out the scarred or damaged layers at the top. This in turn stimulates collagen growth and the production of new skin cells aiding skin renewal. Chemical peels not only clear out scars, but also help reduce the presence of clogged pores. This helps in enhancing the overall texture of skin in the individual, making it a good choice. One of the biggest advantages of chemical peels is that the treatment can be chosen based on the patient’s skin condition and type, to offer the desired results.

Which Chemical Peel Works Best For Scar Treatment?

• Light peels: These are superficial peels such as AHA or glycolic peels that can be helpful in lightening scarring caused from acne. They can also be of help in treating oily buildup on the outer surface of the skin.
• Medium peels: As the name explains, these chemical peels are exfoliate at a greater depth than light peel. They treat scars, as well as enhance the strength of the collagen tissues, thereby enhancing the skin tone.
• Deep peels: Phenol peels are an example of deep chemical peels which are usually applied after the patient is sedated. These peels can help treat acne scars alongside pigmentation on the skin.

Interested in Learning More About Chemical Peels? Contact Dr. Andrew Trussler

For more information about chemical peels or any of the procedures we offer, contact Dr. Andrew Trussler. We are located in Austin Texas and can be reached directly at 512-450-1077. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

The post Using Chemical Peels To Treat Scars appeared first on Andrew Trussler, MD, PLLC.

The ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System is ideal for correcting hyperpigmentation with a non-Hydroquinone Vitamin C approach.

Who is a good candidate for the ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System?

Ideal for the treatment of dyspigmentation when hydroquinone is not indicated. Mild bleaching effect for skin to help gently even skin tone.

Non-Specific Discolorations include:

• Freckles
• Liver Spots
• Uneven tone

Hydroquinone alternative system.

• Alternate non-HQ with HQ system every 4-5 months to avoid HQ resistance
• Taper and transition hydroquinone to non-hydroquinone system to avoid bounce back hyperpigmentation

Specific formulations for Oily, Dry and Normal/Combination Skin

• Optional Retinol formulation with Retamax

Daily Suggested Skin Care Regimen

Step 1 Cleanse (Generous amount and wash face for 40-60 seconds) AM/PM

• Oily: Oilacleanse
• Dry: Normacleanse
• All: Foamacleanse

Step 2 Exfoliate (Small amount for use 2-3X/week) AM

• Oily: Vitascrub
• Dry: Offects® Exfoliating Polish

Step 3 Tone (Oily use pad 2x/day, Dry apply with cotton) AM/PM

• Oily: Cebatrol
• Dry: Balatone

Step 4 C-Bright (apply 2-3 pumps to clean, dry skin) AM/PM

Step 5 Brightalive (apply 1-2 pumps evenly on face) AM/PM

Step 6 Ossential® Daily Power Defense (apply 2-3 pumps to face and neck to strengthen skin) AM

Step 7 Protect with Oclipse-C Sunscreen 50 or Oclipse® Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 (apply to face and neck) AM

Optional Products

Brightenex (apply 1-2 pumps after Brightalive to enhance even color tone) AM

Retamax (apply 1-2 pumps after Brightalive to improve skin stability)

The ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System works well in combination with chemical peels.

Andrew P. Trussler MD is a plastic surgeon in Austin Texas that carries a full compliment of ZO® Skin Health products for all skin types. The ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System is a specific daily step formulation that can be customized for skin type and strengthened with the optional products.

Dr. Trussler’s Austin plastic surgery office can help direct you to the skin care products that can help your skin look and feel its best.

The post ZO® Non-Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation System appeared first on Andrew Trussler, MD, PLLC.

Salicylic acid peels are easy to perform, have a low incidence of complications, easy to control, and effective at treating difficult non-face areas.

• The area to be peeled should be pre-treated with a retinoic acid for at least two weeks prior to the peel.
• Hyper-keratotic and hyper-pigmented lesions can be pretreated with a glycolic gel and skin lightener prior to the peel.
• Pre-malignant (Actinic Keratosis) or hyper keartotic areas can be treated with 20% TCA prior to the application of Salicylic acid.

The skin needs to be cleansed and degreased prior to the application of the Salicylic acid paste, which is 40 to 50% salicylic concentration. The areas of peel are isolated and the paste is applied. This can be left on for minutes or more effectively for up to 48 hours. The areas need to be occluded with plastic wraps and gauze.

• During the time of salicylic peeling it is advised to hydrate with at least 8 glasses of water to avoid the effects of salicylisim.
• Salicylisim can present as nausea, disorientation, or ear wringing.

After a Salicylic acid peel, the skin can be swollen and peeling will begin on the second to third day.

• The salicylic acid paste will be gently removed with moist soaks.
• The skin is gently cleansed and then an anti-biotic ointment or moisturizer should be applied during the peeling face.
• The skin is monitored for infection, because this can lead to scarring.

After the peeling phase and initial healing, the skin should be protected for the sun, and retinoic acid and lightening agents can be restarted.

Smaller areas should be selected for this peel technique, and each arm can be done separately.

Salicylic acid peels can be the answer to effectively treat difficult areas with age spots and thin skin.

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Chemical peels have been applied to improve the appearance of the skin since ancient Egypt. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of organic acids, some of which are derived from fruits and are sometimes referred to as fruit acids.

List of AHAs and their natural derivatives:

• Glycolic Acid- sugar cane
• Lactic Acid- sour milk
• Citric Acid- citrus fruit
• Malic Acid- apples
• Tartaric Acid-grapes

These products are commonly used in lighter concentrations in everyday skin care products, but intense concentrates can be used as peeling agents. Glycolic acid is the most frequently used AHA for chemical peels. It is usually applied to the skin in concentrations greater than 30%.

• Lighter peels can be performed with 30 to 50% glycolic concentrations, with more aggressive peels using 70% glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid peels can be used for photo-damaged skin to help correct:

• Texture
• Fine lines
• Pigment abnormalities including dyschromias.

Glycolic acid peels are safe and nontoxic. They are relatively superficial with few complications, however a higher concentration Glycolic acid peel can extend into a moderate depth peel if left on the face for longer than 5 minutes.

• The skin should be prepared for the peel for a minimum of 2 weeks with a combination of a retinoic acid and a skin-lightening agent.
• The glycolic acid peel is done in the office without any topical anesthesia.
• The entire face is coated with glycolic acid gel and then neutralized and washed off after 2 to 3 minutes depending on the amount of redness and the patient’s amount of irritation.
• A hand held fan can help alleviate any stinging.
• Deeper pigment can be treated with a deeper Glycolic peel in those areas.

The patient will have mild irritation, redness and crusting after the peel, which may last for up to three days. Expect flaking and dryness which can be alleviated with a light moisturizer, and gentle cleansing. Active skin care is started with in the first week after the peel to help with any propensity for hyperpigmentation and inflammation after the peel. The skin should be protected from sun exposure with a hat and sunscreen.

Lighter glycolic acid and other fruit peels can be repeated every month, though these would be comparable to a deep exfoliation. Stronger glycolic acid peels can be repeated though timing of this relates to the patients individual skin tolerance and healing capacity. A skin evaluation for a chemical peel can be done in the plastic surgery office of Dr. Trussler in Austin TX.

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