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April 23, 2010

I completed Accutane treatment 6 months ago. Is it ok for me to have a chemical peel?

Filed under: acne scars,chemical peel,chemical peel doctors,chemical peel los angeles,face peel,facial cosmetic surgery,laser vs. chemical peel — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 9:10 am

Chemical peels have long been considered a great procedure that, when performed by a qualified and experienced doctor, produce great results.  They are also correctly understood to be an art form that requires great skill and aesthetic judgment, which a doctor develops through a specialized fellowship and extensive practice.  Dr. Steinsapir has been performing facial chemical peels for many years to help improve complexion, correct sun damage, tighten skin, and reduce acne for many people.

Chemical Peel Before and After Photo

Chemical Peel Before and After Photo

While many people greatly benefit from different types of chemical peel, including an acne facial peel, not everyone is a good candidate for the chemical peel.  For example, certain skin types are sometimes not compatible with chemical peels, and certain medications are not either.  Unfortunately, if you’ve had recent Accutane treatment, a chemical peel that might be a great fit for you under normal circumstances may need to be postponed.

Why can’t I have a chemical peel during Accutane treatment?

Accutane, also called isotrentinoin, is a highly effective medication that controls severe acne.  It effects the oil glands and stem cells in the skin while inhibiting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels).  Accutane has long term effects, including some of the above as well as inhibited healing of the skin.  Medical reports associate Accutane use with increased scaring after facial treatments, as Accutane delays healing this increases the risk abnormal healing after a chemical peel.

Since there is evidence that these healing inhibitions can be long-lasting even after Accutane treatments have been completed, we recommend that you wait twelve to twenty-four months to pursue a chemical peel treatment.  The chemical peel is a profound procedure that works because of the skin’s ability to heal itself while improving epithelial covering.  When performed by an expert specialist, the results are truly astounding, but if you’ve had Accutane treatment within the last two years then you may heal with scaring while people without a history of Accutane treatmet will not scar.  Accutane and chemical peels should never be undergone at the same time, even though both are excellent options for the right people.  Due to your increased risk of scarring, you should always wait after Accutane treatment before considering any facial procedure that has the potential to create scarring.  It’s a good idea to wait two years after treatment to get your facial peel, and be sure to consult your dermatologist and inform the doctor who will perform the chemical peel of your complete medical history, including Accutane use.  If we examine laser resurfacing vs chemical peels, we find that the risk that laser treatments may result in scars is at least as high as the risk of chemical peel scars, with the added risk of changes in skin texture and discoloration.  The best thing you can do right now is take excellent care of your skin, follow your doctor’s advice, and wait a couple years until after you have complete Accutane treatment, and then seek out a consultation from a master chemical peeler.

Consult with a Physician Who Cares

Chemical peels help to open up pores and can reduce acne, but you must be sure to not use a chemical peel with an incompatible treatment.  Dr. Steinsapir performs expert chemical peels in Los Angeles and always prefers to err on the side of caution rather than risk scarring.  That is why he will ask you about your medical history, including Accutane treatment, and advise you to consult with your dermatologist too before proceeding with a chemical peel.  If enough time has passed, you may be an excellent candidate for a chemical peel or another treatment like Fotofacial in Los Angeles, depending on what you and your cosmetic doctor decide is your best option.

We invite you to a no-risk consultation with Dr. Steinsapir.  He’ll help you understand how chemical peels work and if you are a good candidate for one.  Dr. Steinsapir has an extensive background in chemical peeling combined with practical experience, and he is esteemed as having both the medical and artistic vision needed to masterfully perform a chemical peel.  Call us today to learn more about how Dr. Steinsapir can help you.

April 18, 2010

Are fillers good for acne scarring?

Filed under: acne scars,facial fillers,laser resurfacing alternatives,restylane in los angeles,Restylane Injections,restylane los angeles — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:45 am

Acne scars and other depressed scars and deficiences can often greatly benefit from hyaluronic fillers like Restylane and Perlane.  Filling depressed scars is an effective treatment that is nonsurgical, minimally invasive, and gives benefits that can easily last six months to a year, and in some cases, longer.

filler for scar before and after photo

filler for scar before and after photo

How can fillers improve scars?

You may have an indentation from acne scars, a surgery, a cut from a sports injury, or for a number of other reasons.  This deficiency can stand out in your appearance and detract from your facial aesthetics.  For some, scars can even be painful reminders of past problems.  Fillers like Perlane and Restylane are often the best option for diminishing the visibility of scars on the face by eliminating skin irregularities and restoring the skin to its natural texture and shape.  By filling in the deficiencies that are responsible for these indented scars, you may find that your scars are no longer noticeable.  Facial fillers are safe and minimally invasive treatments that require little to no recovery time.  This, combined with their effectiveness, make them the leading choice for acne scar treatment without the prolonged recover associated with surgery.

Why are fillers better than laser resurfacing to treat scars?

Laser treatment at first seemed like a promising technology, but it has never reliably delivered great results, and it is associated with many complications, including permanent disfigurement.  Laser resurfacing for acne often yields no results, or – worse – it can make things worse.  An erbium laser generally provides only minimal improvement, while something like CO2 laser resurfacing is so aggressive that it can damage your natural pigmentation.  Fractional CO2 skin treatment are often big disappointment and very expensive.  It is almost always much safer and more effective to choose acne scar fillers than laser treatment.

How to Find a Facial Fillers Expert

Treating facial scars is both a medical procedure and an art that should be performed by a doctor who specializes in treatment with facial fillers.  Your doctor, whether a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, should also possess the great artistic skill needed to precisely place the filler for the best aesthetic results possible.

It can be tough to know where to begin when trying to assess your potential treatment provider’s ability, experience, expertise, artistic ability, specialization, and so on, but with some careful research you can find someone well-qualified to give you great results.  When seeking someone to help you remove acne scars, always find out whether the doctor will personally perform the procedure or instead use an assistant to administer your treatment.  Only choose a doctor who will personally treat you; after all, you don’t know anything about the assistant’s ability, and your results will be much better when the most qualified doctor performs them, rather than a non-physician in training.  An assistant may cost less, but your results will likely not be as good.

Carefully study your potential doctor’s scar removal before and after photos, noting any changes in camera angles or lighting conditions.  If you don’t like what you see in the example photos, you probably won’t like what you see in the mirror later either.

Make sure that your doctor has a lot of experience in filling scars on the face.  Choose a doctor who specializes in facial fillers.  Every doctor has special areas of talent and experience.  Just as you wouldn’t go to the same doctor for brain surgery and heart surgery, even if both are leading surgeons, you need to choose a doctor who makes fillers and facial cosmetic treatments a focus of their practice.

Finally, evaluate how well you get along with your potential doctor at your initial consultation.  You should feel comfortable around your doctor and confident in his or her ability to help you.  Sometimes for reasons beyond explanation a doctor and patient don’t “click” together, in which case it’s okay to move on.

Consult with an Expert in Facial Fillers

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, M.D. provides treatment with facial fillers in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles as a major focus of his practice.  Medicis, Inc. – the distributer of leading fillers Restylane and Perlane – has recognized Dr. Steinsapir for his expertise in fillers.  Dr. Steinsapir understands how to correct the focal loss of fat often seen underneath acne scars and other types of scars because of his extensive education, fellowships, and practical treatment experience.  He will personally administer your treatment with the precise skill required to create natural results.  Please call us today for a filler consultation to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can give you immediate scar treatment results.