My skin has a leather texture now, is extremely crepey, pin marks, increased wrinkles and new wrinkles, and my acne scars are larger. Currently I am using Allastin Products, light cleanser, steroid cream (7 days on and off), 1% retinol at night every other day. (2.5% was too much for my skin). Light moisturizer and mineral SPF 50 sunscreen. Will any of these treatments help? Fraxel, Co2 Laser resurfacing, Vbeam, ExcelV, Skin Bleacher x 2, Clear and brilliant, Silicone, Pulsed dye laser, Tazorac, Hydra facial, Beta peels, Hydroquinone
Answer
Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
I recommend following up with your Doctor for a formal evaluation and after care. We use a specific protocol of exfoliation, hydration, and moisturizing along with protection after laser treatments. PDT therapy can calm any inflammation. I always combine lasers with microneedling/prp to get more of an outcome. Be sure to use proper sun protection (see link). See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer
Dr. Jason Emer, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
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Thank you for your question. I would follow up with the provider who did the treatment to reassess how your skin is healing. Generally RF microneedling helps with fine lines/wrinkles, skin texture, and collagen production with a series of treatments. In my practice we use RF microneedling, CO2 fraxel, and Halo laser to improve texture and signs of aging. Strict sun avoidance and post care are essential for best results.
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Hi there, Without the full picture it is hard to give a complete answer. I would recommend seeing a Board-certified Dermatologist and reviewing your concerns. Steroid creams are not usually meant for long term and could be contributing to some of your concerns but I do not know which steroid cream you are on, or how long you have been on it for and for what reason it was started. Also it was not mentioned which machine was used or how many treatments. Without knowing the specific treatment settings it becomes hard to answer this question. Best of luck.
DHH Med Spa
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
What you need is to change from retinol to Retin-A (tretinoin) and use it daily. I would use the 0.1 % and push it as much as you can tolerate. This is not too much (and neither was the 2.5% retinol). Your will get some redness, but this just means the product is doing what you want it to, create new collagen. Like any injury, the body brings in new blood supply to get the healing factors to the area. Just like an injury, the redness will fade over time. The other things you can do are use Obagi’s ELASTIderm to stimulate elastin production, make sure the sunscreen you use contains zinc oxide, stop using a moisturizer and use an exfoliant instead, and use micro needling or Fraxel laser (the only one of the things you listed that will help, although the CO2 laser can help but has a long recovery).
