Dermal Fillers vs Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment
Whether you’re 30 and are starting to see the beginnings of wrinkles or 55 and already have them full blown, looking for ways to reduce wrinkles is probably on your agenda. But many of us are already losing the wrinkle battle, feeling helpless as the glow of youth fades out. Many believe that aging skin is inevitable, but with the information and technologies available today, you can recover the look you want.
So what are the treatment options for wrinkles? Removing skin layers and adding fillers to depressions offer an effective way to get back smoother and younger skin. Dermabrasion and chemical peels are two of the most traditional methods used in skin resurfacing. On the other hand, additional techniques have now been developed to repair prematurely aging skin.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment to reduce wrinkles and other facial irregularities cause by acne or sun damage. This laser technique directs short and concentrated beams of light to the skin surface, precisely removing layer by layer of skin to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. The use of lasers often leads to fewer problems with hypopigmentation. Non-ablative laser resurfacing promotes the development of new healthy collagen as well, helping to restore the skin appearance with the least amount of down time.
If you have wrinkles or fine lines on your forehead, mouth, and around your eyes, then you are an ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing. It can also be a treatment for under eye wrinkles too. But if you have active acne and are currently undergoing treatment, you’re not a great candidate. Laser resurfacing is best for fair skinned patients. Following the treatment, sun exposure should be avoided for a few months.
What is Injectable Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are applied under the wrinkle lines, and fill in the line or crease with any of several different substances, leading to your trouble spots almost disappearing. Wrinkle fillers can also be used effectively as volumizers, lifting and plumping jawlines, cheeks, temples and lips. The most popular kind of wrinkle filler is hyaluronic acid. Each type of filler works in a slightly different way with varying results. With this filler, treatment is fast and easy, and has very minimal downtime.
Side effects are rare but can include swelling, bruising and redness at the treated site. The filler can also show up under the skin in small bumps, although this problem can evolve over time. Results last from several months to two years. Research has shown that repeat injections can help stimulate the collagen of the body, helping reduce the number of lines and wrinkles. There are also some evidence that less filler is needed on repeat visits to get similar results.
For some patients, surgery might be the best approach to get rid of deep wrinkles. Dermal fillers and most laser skin care cannot achieve the same results with some deep set wrinkles, although they can help delay the progress. To prevent further wrinkles and sun damage, sun exposure should be minimized, coupled with the use of daily sunscreen. Consult a skin doctor for more information.
