Skin Resurfacing
in Indianapolis
35% TCA PEEL
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Skin Resurfacing
Procedure at a Glance:
Indications: For patients who have significant sun damage with dark spots, freckling, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles. The TCA Peel is appropriate for patients with light to medium skin tones to reduce the risk of hypo/hyperpigmentation. Patients should comply with daily use of sunscreen and avoidance of sun bathing, as their skin will be sensitive to the sun post peel.
Anesthesia: None needed
Surgery Type: Outpatient
Downtime: One week with Aquaphor thickly applied to the skin to aid in healing. The skin is fully peeled at 7 days on average. Skin will be sensitized to the sun and daily sunscreen use is imperative to maintain results and prevent an increased risk of skin cancer. Patient will still need to adhere to certain post-peel instructions that will be specific to the procedure. Limitations will be discussed during a thorough pre-operative appointment.
Techniques: 35% Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel is a medium depth peel that treats the skin in a safer, more controlled way with less risk of complications than ablative laser treatments. The peel is a controlled injury to the skin and is only performed by Dr. Winslow. The peel can be done around the eyes or full face and then is blended lightly onto the neck and chest to prevent lines of demarcation. The skin stays intact with a thick layer of Aquaphor applied to keep the skin moist to aid in healing. The patient’s skin will be fully peeled around one week. Patients will have a new healthy layer of skin that removes up to 95% of dark spots, with increased tightness and reduction in crepiness and fine lines and wrinkles. Deeper wrinkles may require more aggressive treatments in combination with the peel, such as dermabrasion. The TCA Peel can be done at the same time as other surgical procedures, such as a facelift and mini lift, and will give the skin a fresh, healthy glow.
FAQ’s
Have a specific question? Contact us!
That depends on your goals and desires. In general, the cost is less to combine the procedures and you only undergo one recovery period, instead of several. On the downside, it may take a bit longer to heal (longer anesthetic, multiple procedures).
Changes made to the tissues are permanent. However, your face will continue to age. Many patients will need a touch up after about 10 years, depending on genetics and the care they provide to their skin and body.
Again, it depends on the procedure. Patients may experience a headache after a trichophytic browlift. Some discomfort and dryness after eyelid surgery is expected, and the swelling of the eyelids may impair visual fields for a day or two. A facelift is uncomfortable for the first 24 to 48 hours, after which most patients are surprised by the lack of pain. Rhinoplasty patients typically don’t experience a lot of pain but they do experience nasal stuffiness and cannot blow their nose following surgery which is the biggest post surgical complaint. Regardless of procedure, pain will be controlled with narcotics until it is manageable with Tylenol. Pain is a unique sensation, and no two people will perceive it the same.
A scar is always a resulting factor of having surgery. However, incisions made at the hands of a facial plastic surgeon are made as discreetly as possible. Scars are placed so they are well camouflaged and very difficult to see. Any scar will be pink/ red during the healing period (generally 6-12 months) and after that are generally imperceptible.
Depending on the type of procedure, recovery is generally 7-10 days. Most patients can resume work after 1 to 2 weeks. Regular physical exercise may be slowly resumed after 7-10 days. Makeup can be used to help camouflage the areas that are bruised after one week. Social activities can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks.
There is no perfect age for a facelift. The younger the patient, the better the results last and the less dissection is needed. In general, younger patients heal faster, better and have better results. We treat patients with the very beginning signs of aging to the more severe signs of aging and everything in between. The most important factor is the patient’s overall health in pursuing elective surgery no matter their age.
Absolutely, men can have facelift surgery. The incision is often contoured differently for a man, but the ability to tighten the jaw line and the skin under the chin are no different. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing populations seeking cosmetic refinements!
There are many non-surgical options on the market, such as injectable fillers, Botox, non surgical fat removal and laser skin tightening. In general, nothing but a facelift accomplishes a facelift. Most non- surgical options are excellent adjuncts for, but not replacements of, surgical procedures.