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Chemical Peel Vs Laser Resurfacing for Various Facial Folds?

Chemical peel or Laser resurfacing for severe perioral lines, nasolabial folds and folds under mouth corners? Which technology is best? The surgeon said Facelift won't help, suggested Chemical peel, he doesn't use laser.

I’m willing to do both. Research has confused me. I am 60, have 15 facial age spots, and years of sun exposure. Don't tend to scar, but recently hyperpigmented after using Efudex on 2 pre-cancer cheek spots, VERY slowly fading. On my nose it healed quickly.

Asked 32 months ago by Chai in Piedmont, CA
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+2

Laser resurfacing wins easily

Laser resurfacing can be done with much greater precision that a chemical peel. Chemical peels that are done for deep perioral lines either don't work or they go too deep and leave the patient with scarring and severe hypopigmentation. I have seen many patients damaged from chemical peels. Nasolabial folds are best addressed with fillers. I have posted photos under my profile with examples of patients with perioral lines that I have resurfaced. Take care.
William Groff, DO
San Diego Dermatologist
+1

New combined fractional laser resurfacing best for lip lines, wrinkles, and sun damage

Correction of lip lines, loose skin, and folds around the mouth and facial sun damage require new collagen production to plump the skin, restore elasticity, tighten skin and remove the superficial pigment and sun damage. Unequivocally the new combined fractional laser resurfacing provides the best results with the least risk of scarring and hypopigmentation (white skin in treated areas). Deep chemical peels do work, but the risk of scarring is significant, but even with an excellent... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

All skin resurfacing is an art form!

Dear Chai Let me take the opposite position of Dr. Groff. The CO2 laser is a crude instrument compared to the flexibility of the chemical peel. It is important to understand that there is no free lunch in skin resurfacing with lasers or chemical peels. To improve the issues you are concerned with you need either an intense CO2 laser resufacing or a properly executed chemical peel that combines a combination of peeling agents. CO2 laser resufacing became popular because it provides a... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Chemical peel or laser

If you have deep facial lines and nasolabial folds, a combination of alot of different things in moderation can do the trick. You may be a candidate for a facelift. You may also want to use fillers to camouflage the nasolabial folds. you m ay also want to use lasers to soften the fine wrinkles and "clean up" the sun spots.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
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