SKIN REJUVENATION PROGRAMS

Self esteem is an essential human feeling. It is the inspiration for a new medical discipline that helps people feel more comfortable with themselves. Dr. Iliana Benzaquen, a surgical dermatology specialist and director, with Dr. Abel Chajchir, of Barrancas Medical Center will give us more information about this:

This important Medical Center is located in a very old house built in 1890 in Belgrano. The building keeps its original structure and has been preserved as a historical architectural patrimony.

- Dr. Benzaquen, in what cases is medical-dermatological cosmetic applied?

- It is applied to different complications that affect the patient emotionally and that need to be treated by a medical professional.

- What kind of complications?

- Time and sun cause anaesthetic complications. Each one of them have a technical name: solar keratosis, senile warts, skin aging, pre tumours keratosis, telangiectasias… and some others. These complications not only affect superficial skin but may also change skin’s structure.

- Is there a rejuvenating method?

- Yes. The usage of different acids, cryosurgery, crystal micro resurfacing, etc. all of them are part of a rejuvenating program created in the United States by a group of investigators. We are now applying this method in our country.

- What clinical manifestation of photo aging responds better to this method? How long will it take for results to be visible?

- It all depends on the general skin image. Smaller wrinkles disappear, larger wrinkles usually don’t change. Skin’s texture changes to a softer one and brown spots clear. Treatment can be performed not only on facial areas, such as neck, cleavage, arms and hands. All these changes are slow and the patient needs to know that. Results can be seen after 4 or 5 months. This is when the treatment procedure stops and the maintenance procedure starts.

- Is retinoid acid combined with sun screen and emollient creams?

- Yes. The schedule is programmed in a way that applications start with very small dosages of retinoid acid until skin gets used to it. Then dosages start increasing. Neck is usually the most sensitive area. The back of the hands reacts much better. Since eyelids are so sensible, they receive a different treatment. The applications are done during the night to avoid inflammation if the patient is exposed to sun light. This treatment needs to be performed by a dermatologist.

During the morning skin needs to be washed with water only. After that moisturizing creams will be applied. If the skin is too dry, these steps will be repeated later in the afternoon.

In the case of associated melasma, we use products that remove pigmentation combined with sun screen. In the case of intense solar exposure, acids will be suspended and a more intense sun screen will be needed.

- Which is the correct way to apply the acids?

It is very important to clean the skin before applying the retinoid acid. After the cleaning, a single drop of acid will be applied to the entire face, carefully avoiding lips, eyes, and eyelids. During these types of procedures it is very important to use the proper sun screen depending on the type of skin.

- Does sun screen reduce sun sensibility?

- Sun screen protects skin from sun damage. This means that using sun screen cooperates with the treatment and also reduces photo aging consequences.

- How long would it take for results to be seen?

- Permanent treatment produces beneficial changes after 4 months. After that, a maintenance treatment will take place.

- What is the latest news in skin treatment at the Barrancas Medical Center?

- We are now developing the Skin Renewal Program.

This program combines different techniques (chemical peels, cryosurgery, micro-resurfacing, laser, messotherapy with dermis stimulating factors, etc) to obtain the best results in skin programmed renewing.

This therapy is destined to improve skin quality stimulating collagen production. It is also used to treat different complications such as brown spots, acne scars, post traumatic scars, acne, etc.