There are several procedures available to help your wife see a difference in her skin condition, and procedures that can help treat fine lines and wrinkles. These two issues and related, but can be treated differently. Red skin and “blotchy” skin problems are usually treated with laser skin resurfacing and IPL (Intense Pulse Light Waves). There are several different types of laser treatments, and we will examine a few here:

Photoderm Laser/Photofacial/IPL- This light source laser effectively treats many concerns on various parts of the body including red blotchiness or blood vessels, irregular pigmentation, fine lines or general sun damage of the skin! There is relatively no downtime with this procedure.

Active FX Laser – This laser treatment can be utilized for everything from fine lines to the not-so-fine lines! Sun spots to sagging skin! This non-ablative laser produces similar results to ablative lasers, such as the CO2, without the downtime associated with them. Below is a before and after photo that illustrates the results of this laser treatment.

Fraxel Laser – This laser is a new approach to "resurfacing" the skin with many of the benefits of an ablative laser but virtually no downtime. This laser treatment eliminates old epidermal cells (brown spots or age spots) while penetrating deep into the dermis to improve fine lines, wrinkles and general skin discoloration. Your skin will be softer, smoother, fresher, with improved quality, tone and texture. Stretch marks and scars can also be successfully treated with this laser. Below is photo depicting the before and after results of a Fraxel Laser Treatment.

These are just a few of the many laser treatments available for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation. New York Dermatologist Dr Karyn Grossman recommends learning more about Laser Skin rejuvenation before electing to have a laser treatment.

Fine lines and wrinkles can be treated solely with laser skin rejuvenation, however there are other alternatives and depending on your skin condition, and other factors, one of these procedures may be right for you.

Lipotransfer - By removing fat from one area of the body where it is not wanted and injecting it into other areas where it is needed, you can achieve a soft filling effect unlike any other filler substances. By storing some of the fat and injecting it periodically, your enhanced appearance will be consistent. Fat can be used to plump up lips, fill in the nasal labial folds or the hollows of the cheeks, to "create” cheekbones and plump up hands.

Filler Lift - Dermal fillers such as restylane, Juvederm, Botox and Sculptra are commonly used in cosmetic dermatology as an instant esthetic treatment. A dermal filler injection is one of the few procedures to provide immediate improvement or enhancement of appearance with little or no down-time. There are many different fillers available today. However, it is not uncommon for physicians to suggest the use of one product for the treatment of multiple areas of concern.

As always, before choosing to have any procedure it is recommended you research your desired procedure(s) and locate a skilled, experienced and qualified specialist such as a cosmetic dermatologist. Be sure to schedule a consultation and have all your questions answered.

There are several websites out there, and alot of them have accurate , in depth information. One excellent site I have discovered for researching both surgical and non-surgical plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures is Lookingyourbest.com. Here you can not only find procedural and safety information, but they also offer a free service to help you locate the right plastic surgeon for your procedure. Remember, Taking the proper steps and understanding all this is involved with any procedure can mean the difference between a positive experience and a nightmare.