Would a medium peel or Infini RF on already damaged moisture barrier be a bad idea?

Question

My skin barrier is compromised after years of microneedling and poor aftercare (smoking), along with Retinol use. I've always had oily skin but now it's both extremely dry after washing (even using gentle face washes) but producing oil at a ridiculous rate, causing breakouts, inflammation etc. My question is, I'd like to undergo treatments (a medium peel or Infini RF) to help some of the scarring, pigmentation and general texture issues - is this a bad idea on a damaged moisture barrier?

Stanley Castor, MD · Answer

Hi ajtennant,

The correct chemical peel can help to rebalance some of the damage going on with your skin as well as address your pigmentation and texture concerns. 
I would highly suggest getting on a skin care regimen to help repair your skin though, including using a hydrator after washing and/or exfoliating your skin. When you strip the natural oils from your skin, it's automatic response is to create more. A water based, hydrating moisturizer will actually help to keep your skin from creating an excessive amount of oil. Retinol and Retin A, while may cause dryness due to is chemical exfoliation, they are very good for helping to repair your skin. They should be used in the evening due to causing photosensitivity of the skin and should also be paired with a hydrating moisturizer. You should also wear SPF on your skin every day, even when not in direct sunlight.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Would a medium peel or Infini RF on already damaged moisture barrier be a bad idea?

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Would a medium peel or Infini RF on already damaged moisture barrier be a bad idea?

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Everything you need to know about Chemical Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.