Contact our Oakland- and Santa Rosa-area dermatology offices to schedule a facial rejuvenation consultation with our dermatologists.
Dermatology Associates of the Bay Area
165 Lynch Creek Way
Petaluma, California 94954
Phone: (707) 762-5531
Fax: (707) 762-5976
500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 245
Hercules, California 94547
Phone: (510) 741-7418
Fax: (510) 741-7456
Over time, your skin is exposed to damaging elements, such as the sun, pollution, and gravity, which can result in discoloration, wrinkles, and dull-looking skin. Procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion are used at our Oakland- and Santa Rosa-area dermatology centers for facial rejuvenation to reveal a fresh, healthy complexion. Our dermatologists will examine your skin to determine which procedure will best achieve your goals for facial rejuvenation.
There are many facial rejuvenation options available and it is important to select the procedures and cosmeceutical products that make sense for each individual patient. We consider a patient's skin type and type of skin damage to tailor specific treatment plans.
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Through a process of exfoliation, chemical peels are used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark spots for a more even skin tone, and smooth and soften the skin's texture. Peels can also help to open clogged pores for patients with oily or acne-prone skin. Chemical peels, although a very effective facial rejuvenation treatment, cannot alter pore size, improve moderately lax skin, eliminate deep scarring, remove broken blood vessels, or totally remove areas of deep pigmentation in darker skinned individuals.
During the peel procedure, chemicals are applied to the skin and allowed to penetrate for a specific amount of time. The chemicals are then washed off, and your skin will start to peel. Once the peeling is complete, new skin will appear that is smoother and brighter than before the peel.
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The type and strength of the chemicals that are used during the peel will determine the depth of the skin that will peel away and the amount of facial rejuvenation achieved. Because there are several types and depths of peels available, and because each can be adjusted to individual needs, it is important to have your skin examined by a dermatologist to determine which formulation is right for you. The dermatologists at our centers will examine your skin and create a peel program tailored to provide you with optimal results.
Superficial peels remove only the top layers of skin and are typically used to treat acne, remove mild sun damage and irregular spots of pigmentation, and improve overall skin texture. In our offices, we use glycolic acid peels to peel the superficial layers of skin for mild facial rejuvenation.
A superficial peel is performed in 15 to 30 minutes at Dermatology Associates of the Bay Area by a trained staff member. After a superficial peel, your skin may have a pinkish, flushed tone, and your skin will feel soft and refreshed. Recovery will not interfere with your busy schedule, and you should be able to return to your normal activities almost immediately.
Medium and deep chemical peels are used for aggressive treatment of sun-damaged skin, the severe wrinkling of mature skin, and pre-cancerous lesions. We use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels at our centers for more intense facial rejuvenation than is accomplished through a superficial peel.
Medium and deep peels are performed by our dermatologists during a 30-minute procedure. Because medium and deep peels are aggressive, recovery typically takes one week or longer. During recovery, your skin will appear to be sunburned, and the treated skin will slough off in large sheets. Once all of the skin has peeled, new and healthy skin will emerge.
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After undergoing a chemical peel, it is imperative that you protect your skin from the sun until it has fully healed. Sun exposure interferes with the healing process and may cause long-lasting hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) or hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin). Protective clothing, a broad-rimmed hat, and sunscreen must be worn when you go outdoors.
In addition to sun protection, moisturization, gentle cleansing, and care not to inadvertently pick at any scabs is vital to ensure an optimal outcome. We offer a wide range of sunscreens and skin care products at our dermatology practice to help your skin heal after a chemical peel.
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Microdermabrasion treatments are featured at our Petaluma office as a non-chemical method of facial rejuvenation. Instead of applying a chemical to the skin, microdermabrasion involves gentle abrasion to remove the top layers of dead and damaged skin cells. The dermatologist uses a handheld device that sprays microcrystals onto the skin. Gentle suction removes the microcrystals and dead skin cells, leaving your skin smoother and fresher. Microdermabrasion stimulates your skin to rapidly produce new skin cells, promoting continued facial rejuvenation.
Microdermabrasion is commonly used to treat:
Each microdermabrasion treatment at our Petaluma dermatology office takes about 30 minutes, and best results are achieved if a number of treatments are performed in a series. Our dermatologists can examine you skin and create a microdermabrasion treatment plan to meet your specific needs.
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Contact Dermatology Associates of the Bay Area today if you would like to learn more about chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or any other facial rejuvenation procedure offered at our centers. Patients from Santa Rosa, Oakland, and other Bay Area communities come to our dermatology offices in Hercules and Petaluma for facial rejuvenation consultations with our experienced dermatologists.
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