Chemical Peels, Phenol, TCA, & alpha Hydroxy, Dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion

The treatment of facial wrinkles has long been a strategy of aging humans to erase the bodily marks of time. The process of aging involves a loss of the supporting fatty layer under the skin, and a decrease in the skin’s oil gland activity. Loss of the collagen layer and the elastic layer result in dry wrinkled skin.

Skin is a very active, dynamic organ that renews itself continually. Accumulated dead skin forms a layer that is eventually shed. The thickened layer of Keratin and dryness of the skin create damage that renders the face skin dull and gray in appearance.

The sun’s radiation causes solar damage to the DNA of skin cells, which can significantly accelerate the aging process and lead to pigmentation problems, as well as precancerous conditions, and skin cancer. The sun radiation also damages the collagen and elastin layers of the skin and their ability to repair damage. Baltimore plastic surgeon, Dr. Samir Shureih, treats skin conditions due to aging and sun damage, and has extensive experience in the various methods of skin care and restoration. To reverse damage, skin must be revitalized and rejuvenated. A program of skin care and a treatment regimen to improve areas already damaged can revitalize the skin and nurture it back to its youthful glow. The treatment process starts with a good skin care program. This is a commitment that includes:

Skin Care program
Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation
Cessation of Smoking
Treatment of Existing, Aging and Sun Damage skin.
(This program alone provides a degree of improvement in the quality and texture of the skin.)
A Maintenance program

To take this process a step further, chemical peels are used to rejuvenate the skin. These procedures involve the use of chemical compounds that peel off skin layers. The depth of the chemical peel depends on which chemical is used and in what amount and concentration. These can be exfoliating peels where only a few layers of the epidermis are removed. They are quick to heal and require no time off regular activities. Skin peels give a glow to the skin by improving its texture and quality. To maintain results, medium depth peels have to be repeated frequently.

Deeper chemical peels require longer to heal and more time off regular activities, but the results are more dramatic. Wrinkles soften or vanish, skin blemishes disappear, pigmentation improves, and the skin glows with health and vitality. Healing can take from just a few days to ten days, depending on the depth of the peel.

Deeper peels also have an anti-aging effect on the skin. Studies have shown significant improvement in the collagen layers of the skin and a better more organized elastic layer. These changes slow the aging process of the skin, and reverse the effects of sun damage.

There are several factors that influence procedure and chemical selection:

Skin Classification
- Light White Skin-Type I, II
- White Skin-Type III
- Brown -Type IV
- Medium Black-Type V
- Dark Black-Type VI
Skin Thickness
- Thin skin has low tolerance
- Oil production-oily skin - interferes with the action and effectiveness of topical agents.
Fragility of the Skin
- Fragile skin inhibits healing.

There is no universal procedure for all skin types.

Peel Depth
- Exfoliation-Light and Deep
- Light Peels
- Light-Medium Peels (remove epidermis, can treat skin blemishes, texture and color)
- Deep Peels (provide depth, even color and even tone to skin, as well as smooth-out wrinkles and treat skin blemishes and pre-cancerous skin conditions)

One can also customize a peel to the individual face; some areas with thick, oily, damaged skin may require a deep peel. While thin, very dry skin zones may only require a superficial peel. Dr. Shureih a Baltimore Cosmetic Surgeon will help you in the decision making to achieve the results you desire.

Dermabrasion with a metal brush or diamond fraise can achieve the same result, by mechanically removing skin layers. Both dermaberasion and chemical peels require significant expertise and experience of the surgeon. Dr. Shureih a Baltimore Plastic surgeon have the expertise to perform the procedure with accuracy and expertise.

The outcome of these chemical peels is very positive. As a committed cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Samir Shureih, of Baltimore, will prescribe your skin care program and frequently monitor the progress, himself. The peels are done by Dr. Shureih himself and not by an assistant or a nurse.