The term skin resurfacing refers to a spectrum of treatments that range from chemical peels to procedures using LASERs and other energy based devices.
The aim of each of these is to produce a controlled injury to the skin to treat various conditions which include poor skin quality, wrinkles, blemishes, skin growths, scars, pigmentation and to also tighten loose skin.
The exact nature of these treatments varies dependent on type and the strength of the treatment itself. Simply put, the stronger the treatment, the more skin damage is sustained and therefore the longer the downtime (up to three weeks in extensive treatments) following the treatment. Often these treatments are repeated over time dependent on the desired results.
The term skin resurfacing refers to a spectrum of treatments that range from chemical peels to procedures using LASERs and other energy based devices.
The aim of each of these is to produce a controlled injury to the skin to treat various conditions which include poor skin quality, wrinkles, blemishes, skin growths, scars, pigmentation and to also tighten loose skin.
The exact nature of these treatments varies dependent on type and the strength of the treatment itself. Simply put, the stronger the treatment, the more skin damage is sustained and therefore the longer the downtime (up to three weeks in extensive treatments) following the treatment. Often these treatments are repeated over time dependent on the desired results.
One of the keys following any skin resurfacing treatment is aftercare and protection from the sun.
Your suitability for these treatments will be determined during a full assessment no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory and he will provide all the necessary details for your particular case and procedure plan.
All treatments are performed in the luxurious state of the art treatment rooms within the clinic either on the day of consultation or after a period of reflection following consultation. The choice is entirely yours.
Topical anaesthesia (numbing cream) or facial nerve block injections are used, depending on the choice of treatment, to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Many patients have their treatment and normal activities that same day but downtime does vary between treatments.
What is the aim of skin resurfacing treatment?
This is very variable and depends on the conditions being treated which range from cosmetic to non-cosmetic reasons.
How many treatments do I need?
Again, this is highly dependent on the type and strength of the resurfacing treatment along with the reasons for performing the treatment.
Repeated treatments can be performed.
How long will the results last?
The body will start to naturally produce collagen and regenerate skin which will have the desired effect.
This improves with time and results last variably depending on the type and strength of treatment and personal acceptable downtime. This will be determined at your consultation with Dr Rory.
What happens on the day of consultation?
Dr Rory will obtain a full medical history assessing your suitability for the treatment and perform a full assessment.
It is important to appreciate skin resurfacing treatments are not suitable for all patients.
Some are considered unsafe if you are pregnant, bust feeding, suffer from active inflammatory or allergic conditions in the treatment area, have an allergy to local anaesthetic and also if certain medications are being taken. This will be explained during the consultation process.
If you are suitable, he will then run through the process of consent and treatment techniques with you if you are having the procedure for the first time. The treatments are generally schedule and you have time to choose to think about your options and return another day.
The day of treatment is variable depending on your skin resurfacing treatment. This ranges from a mild chemical peel with no downtime to having full facial nerve blocks and having full LASER resurfacing and requiring two to three weeks recovery and careful wound care.
How long will the treatment take?
This depends on the treatment and ranges from fifteen to sixty minutes.
Will the procedure be painful?
No, one of the primary aims of any procedure performed by Dr Rory is to create a pain free experience and various techniques are also employed to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
There may be some swelling and also some very mild tenderness in the treatment areas on the day depending on the treatment.
Depending on the type of treatment there will be varying degrees of redness, swelling,
What is the recovery period?
This ranges from a lunchtime treatment with no recovery period resuming your normal activities pretty much immediately to three weeks downtime.
Your recovery time will be explained during your consultation.
What should I consider when recovering from the procedure?
Depending on the type of treatment there will be varying degrees of redness, swelling, scab formation, itch, the need for specialized skin ointments and sun protection.
Swelling can be minimized with medications prescribed by Dr Rory and also sleeping with extra pillows to elevate the head. If you have suffered from herpes skin sores preventative medications are provided to reduce the risk of a break out.
After the treatment has healed there may be some residual redness that can be camouflaged with green based makeup and you are advised to wear a high SPF sun protection cream and to keep your skin well moisturised.
Redness can persist for up to six months.
What is the cost of the treatment?
Skin resurfacing treatments start from 3,000 AED (excluding VAT).
The final cost is determined on a case by case basis dependent on complexity and additional procedures. Combination treatments may lower the price of individual treatments if done together.
A full assessment no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory will provide all the necessary details for your particular case.
What are the risks of the treatment?
These include some discomfort, infection (herpes sores if you are a sufferer), skin burns, milia, risk of bleeding, pigmentation, the need for repeated treatments.
What is the follow up after the treatment?
Typically it involves seeing Dr Rory approximately one week following your last treatment for review and then is planned on a case by case basis.
If you are entirely happy and are very experienced with treatments, then there is no need to attend this review appointment and just book your repeat treatment at your normal interval.
Who is involved in my care?
Dr Rory is the primary physician in charge of all your care. He performs all procedures himself and is meticulous about every aspect of your care.
Once he has performed a procedure on you he is available for you as your on-call doctor.
He will provide you with contact details and will be available for you. If you have any questions or concerns.
He has trained his team around him to an exceptionally high standard from his aesthetic coordinators to aesthetic nurses.
