Skin Resurfacing

Ahn, Duck Sun

Abstract

Surgical techniques for facial rejuvenation have become highly progressed in the last decade. Until recently, little attention has been paid to the intrinsic mechanisms of skin changes, such as wrinkling, surface irregularities, and alterations of pigmentation, and other various aging phenomena. Superficial facial wrinkling was not embraced seriously. This attitude has changed for the better, and among the many methods and techniques now available are Trichlor Acetic Acid(TCA), Phenol, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, and several different types of laser peeling methods. Skin resurfacing has undergone many changes and still is in the process of evolution. My personal experience with Phenol, TCA, and dermabrasion began in 1990. In this article, I tried to explain the basic methods of skin resurfacing for physicians and surgeons who are not in the esthetic fields. Chemical peeling, laser peeling, and dermabrasion share common characteristics of would healing. For compiling the subtopic that relates to the resurfacing, I rather concentrated my writing on chemical peeling due to the short life-cycle of laser peeling technique with ever-developing new laser machines. New techniques and procedures continue to evolve rapidly. I have no doubt that what is written in this article will be improved or become obsolete, or even be discarded in the future. Since the ideas and techniques are not static, but incessantly moving forward toward perfection.