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John L. LeRoy

Microdermabrasion vs. Laser Skin Resurfacing

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With over 7 million non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. during 2011 alone, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), it’s easy to surmise that minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are still very popular.  Due to a variety of factors like convenience and affordability, skin treatments like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels, specialized anti-aging skin care products, and microdermabrasion are everywhere.

Just as it’s important to do your research before a prospective plastic surgery procedure, it is also important to do your research and receive a proper aesthetic consultation before pursuing a non-surgical skin treatment.  To make the research process a bit easier, Dr. LeRoy has summarized two of the most popular anti-aging skin treatments below:  microdermabrasion and Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing:

Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing

Treatment Description:  After gentle numbing is administered, Dr. LeRoy uses the hand held device to topically emit tiny beams of fractionated laser light (DOT laser) to the skin to create tiny wounds that induce the body’s wound-healing response to produce new, younger-looking skin cells.   Most patients equate the sensation of the treatment to short, snapping bursts of energy.  

Treatment time:  45 minutes – 1 hour

Treatment area: The DOT laser technology used in Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing can be applied to any area of exposed skin on the body; however, most patients pursue the treatment for its ability to eliminate unsightly cosmetic issues on the face and neck.

Expected downtime:  7-14 days for any redness to subside and healthy skin to regenerate

Issues Addressed:  hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, mild to moderate wrinkling, lax facial skin, hypopigmentation, skin tone irregularities, skin texture irregularities

Result visibility:  Immediate skin tightening is often reported by laser resurfacing patients.  Because this treatment works internally to gradually stimulate collagen production, full cosmetic results are typically seen 2-3 months following the procedure.

Microdermabrasion:

Treatment Description:  During microdermabrasion, a mechanized exfoliation wand moves round crystals across cleansed skin to exfoliate dead, dull outer layers of surface skin.

Treatment time:  30 minutes – 1 hour

Expected downtime:  0-1 day for any mild flushing associated with exfoliation to subside.

Treatment area: Face, neck, and décolleté

Issues Addressed:  mild hyperpigmentation, active acne, mild scarring, mild wrinkling, and skin texture irregularities.

Result visibility:  Microdermabrasion will produce noticeably smoother skin after just one treatment.  With repeated treatments, patients will notice a reduction in clogged pores contributing to acne, a reduction in pore size, and overall improvement in skin texture.

Both microdermabrasion and Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing are appropriate for patients who have not undergone facial plastic surgery as well as those who have previously undergone cosmetic enhancement and are looking to rejuvenate their results.  To best determine which non-surgical cosmetic treatment is best for your needs, please contact Dr. LeRoy’s office to set up a consultation.  You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter for plastic surgery and skin treatment news.

Stuck Trying to Figure Out Which Band Aid Procedure is Right for You?

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In 1997, Atlanta cosmetic and plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy created the original Band Aid Facelift to correct fine lines and wrinkles the easy way:  in-office using gentle numbing.  Since then, he’s expanded his menu of Band Aid plastic surgery and cosmetic skin treatments to address common complaints of the face and body including Band Aid Tummy Tuck, Band Aid Brow Lift, Band Aid Liposuction, Band Aid Blepharoplasty, and Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing.  Read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions about Dr. LeRoy’s original Band Aid procedures.

Is Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing the same thing as a Band Aid Facelift?

No, Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing is a non-surgical skin treatment that uses DOT laser technology to address surface skin imperfections while also stimulating the body’s ability to produce collagen (a supportive protein that gives skin its firmness).  The Band Aid Facelift, while also completed in-office with gentle numbing like skin resurfacing, is a surgical procedure designed to address isolated areas of aging by firming underlying facial muscles and excising lax, hanging skin contributing to an aged appearance.

Is there such a thing as Band Aid Breast Augmentation?

Because of the safety implications of outpatient breast surgery, I only perform breast augmentation in hospital surgical facilities with the watchful assistance of a licensed anesthesiologist. It may seem like a more convenient option to have this type of surgery on an outpatient bases, and there are physicians who do it; however, there is no such thing as a Band Aid brand of breast augmentation surgery.  It is not yet a procedure I think should be performed in-office with local anesthesia without compromising patient safety and comfort.

How do the results of a Band Aid Facelift compare with those of Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing is a non-surgical treatment, so the results will be different than those produced with a Band Aid Facelift. When comparing cosmetic treatments, it’s important to do your research and ask your prospective plastic surgeon about the capabilities of each treatment to ensure that they are in line with your cosmetic goals.  Band Aid Skin Resurfacing is designed to give those just starting to notice cosmetic issues or those who’ve previously had cosmetic surgery, a refreshed appearance by boosting the ability for the body to produce collagen and helping to decrease the appearance of surface imperfections on the skin.

How do I know if I need a Band Aid procedure or the full version of liposuction?

Just as with any other cosmetic treatment, we can only accurately prescribe a treatment once you’ve completed a thorough consultation with your board certified plastic surgeon.  Generally speaking, those who are happiest with their Band Aid Liposuction results have very small, isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat.  An additional consideration for Band Aid Liposuction would be the location of your excess fat.  If your cosmetic concern is in an area with extensive amount of nerves, then it is typically better treated with traditional liposuction.

To learn more about the Band Aid cosmetic skin treatments and plastic surgery procedures offered by Dr. John LeRoy visit his website.  You can also connect with Dr. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for announcements about the newest plastic surgery techniques and treatments as they become available.