How Skin Quality Impacts Surgical Results
When considering cosmetic surgery, the quality of a patient’s skin is extremely important in regard to maximizing surgical results. Healthy skin heals better and the appearance of scars can be minimized.
In order to maintain and improve skin quality and to ensure that patients obtain the best possible outcomes, there are a variety of topical agents and techniques that we employ.
Topical agents that can keep skin healthy include retinol, or vitamin A. This can visibly diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, increase firmness, improve uneven skin tone, smooth and refine the surface of skin, and help reduce the negative effects of environmental stress on skin.
Another skin care treatment that can be used is hydroquinone. This is especially helpful in lightening dark patches of skin including age spots, freckles, or melasma among other discolorations caused by injury to the skin. Retinols with hydroquinones are used together to prevent darkening scars.
Laser treatments can be employed for both fine wrinkle lines and dyschromias, or discolorations that occur in the skin with time. Lasers and intense pulsed light devices are effective on red spots and brown spots.
Dermal fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm add to skin quality by filling in voids and hollows.
Evaluation by an esthetician preoperatively and the appropriate use pf the aforementioned treatments will help make the surgical result optimal.
Other options include fat transfer, which involves removing unwanted fat from the body and placing it where volume is desired. Thought by many to improve the texture and quality of the skin, this technique can yield a healthy, youthful looking skin quality that we all wish to maintain.
The regular use of Botox will avoid wrinkling by limiting motion over the long term and will help smooth any existing lines and wrinkles.
Preventing lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation before they begin is also important. Excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to long term damage that may negatively impact surgical results. So, it is very important to use sunscreen. Along with many other health benefits, the avoidance of smoking is also important in regard to maintaining skin health.
Women, Men and Plastic Surgeons have many choices when it comes to cosmetic surgery. The skill, experience, and willingness of your Plastic Surgeon to educate you about your choices is important. Our role is to provide patients with accurate and credible information and to help you choose the option that is most pleasing to you.
If you are interested in learning more about your options regarding any type of cosmetic surgery, it’s best to receive careful consultation of all options to help determine the appropriate course of treatment. Contact us today to meet with one of our skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss which procedure may be best for you, or give us a call at 757-491-3535.