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When it comes to achieving younger, healthier-looking skin, the number of popular surgical and nonsurgical choices available can seem overwhelming. Nonsurgical skin rejuvenation treatments range from light, inexpensive chemical peels to aggressive procedures involving lasers, light, or electrical current. Which skin and body treatment you choose will depend on your skin type, the specific issues you want to address (such as brown spots, deep wrinkles, or scarring), budget, and how much time you have in your schedule for downtime after certain procedures.

At Livingston Plastic Surgery, we are fortunate to have Jacqueline Tribble, one of the best paramedical aestheticians in the industry, on our team. Jacquie has been a licensed aesthetician for 27 years, and is member of the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists. She provides a wide variety of light to aggressive skin and body treatments, and takes great care to consider an individual patient’s skin type, budget and schedule before recommending a specific procedure.

Popular Non-Surgical Skin Care Procedures

All of our nonsurgical skin and body treatments are excellent for exfoliating dead skin cells, lightening pigment, shrinking pores, reducing wrinkles, and stimulating collagen production. Knowing a little bit more about some of the more popular treatments we offer can help you decide which specific treatment is right for you.

Fraxel Laser Treatment

Fraxel laser treatment is an especially aggressive overall anti-aging laser treatment that covers the entire face. The treatment has a cumulative effect, with four total sessions providing the full-benefits of the procedure. As with any treatment that uses a laser or light, a topical numbing gel is used on the skin to decrease the level of discomfort experienced by the patient. Patients should expect five to seven days of down time where the skin first turns dark brown, like you have a tan, and then flakes and peels off to reveal brand new skin.

Chemical Peels

There are several different types of chemical peels, all of which exfoliate and tighten the skin, stimulate the formation of new skin cells and collagen, and help with acne. Generally speaking, four lighter peels can produce the same results of a single, more aggressive peel. A trichloracetic acid (TCA) peel is one of the most aggressive peels Jacquie performs. Most patients have just one TCA peel a year, usually to repair damage to the skin from the summer months. The TCA peel requires five to seven days of downtime where the face turns brown and the skin peels away to reveal a new layer of tighter, healthy-looking skin, with significantly fewer wrinkles and lines.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning uses a blade to gently remove the top layer of dead skin cells and all peach fuzz hair on the face. It requires no downtime, and can be done on just about any skin type, except skin with acne. The procedure lightly exfoliates the skin and leaves it smooth and soft. Typically, a light enzyme facial peel is done afterwards to enhance the effects of the dermaplaning. An enzyme facial peel is a light chemical peel that dissolves all of the dead skin on the surface of the face. There is no downtime required for either procedure.

Intensive Pulse Light (IPL)

IPL is an anti-aging “photo facial” done with light, not a laser. It is especially good at eliminating brown spots and flat moles on the hands, face, neck and check, as well as redness caused by rosacea. IPL heats up the dermis which stimulates collagen production, tightens pores and wrinkles, and firm up skins. Jacquie recommends patients do a series of IPL sessions in order to get the full benefit of the procedure.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of and polishes the skin with aluminum oxide crystals. It is helpful in reducing stretch marks, wrinkles, scars and discoloration. There is no downtime required, and the skin is soft and glowing immediately after the procedure.

Ionithermie Body Detox Cellulite Therapy

Ionithermie body detox cellulite therapy is done with an algae clay placed on the stomach, legs, or butt. Gentle electrical current is then used to massage the area and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. It is a toning, detoxing procedure that tightens the skin and removes water weight. Patients often select this therapy before going on a vacation where they’ll be at the beach or to augment the results of a weight-loss program.

Houston Skin and Body Treatment

What your skin needs and what you need are the two questions to consider and answer before undergoing surgical or nonsurgical treatments. At Livingston Plastic Surgery, Dr. Livingston, Jacqueline Tribble, and the rest of our team are happy to address any questions or concerns you have about our procedures. To learn more about the different nonsurgical procedures we offer, please contact us using our online form to request a free consultation.