They say that as we go through life, all of us accumulate a lot of “baggage.” Usually, that term is used to describe the collective impact of our life experiences on our personalities, emotions, or perspectives. But the unwanted baggage we find ourselves carrying as we get older can take other forms, including layers of dead and damaged skin.

These top layers of our skin cells bear the brunt of years of sun, pollutants, harsh cosmetics, and other negative influences. Getting rid of this “baggage” can do wonders for our appearance, revealing skin that looks smoother and more youthful, with fewer wrinkles and other imperfections.

At Dr. Mariano Busso’s Miami-Coconut Grove aesthetic dermatology clinic, we offer two non-invasive, safe, convenient, and fantastically effective ways to remove dead and damaged cells so you can restore the natural beauty of your skin: chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

What Are Chemical Peels?

During a chemical peel treatment session, the doctor or technician will apply a chemical solution to the targeted skin. The solution is designed to exfoliate and peel off the dead skin cells, leaving behind smoother and less wrinkled skin. Suddenly finding itself exposed to the elements, the new top layer of skin will be temporarily more sensitive to the sun.

We use three different types of chemical peels depending on the nature and extent of skin damage as well as the patient’s goals for the treatment:

• Alpha-hydroxy acid is used in a mild chemical peel that only penetrates that outer layer of skin and gently exfoliates it. We use this peel to improve the appearance of minor skin discoloration and rough skin.
• Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid goes a bit deeper and offers a more thorough exfoliation than alpha-hydroxy acid. We apply this peel to penetrate the outer and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells and reduce the appearance and visibility of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles and moderate skin discoloration. We also use this peel to smooth rough skin.
• Trichloroacetic acid or phenol is used only on the face and can only be used once. It deeply penetrates the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells and is effective at treating moderate lines, age spots, freckles, and shallow scars. TCA peels can also be very effective rejuvenating the skin below the eyes and reducing the prominence of dark circles that sometimes appear under our eyes as we get older.

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is also focused on removing dead and damaged layers of skin, but the way it does so is very different from a chemical peel.

During a microdermabrasion treatment session, the doctor uses a handheld device that gently directs a stream of tiny crystal particles on to targeted areas of the skin. These particles exfoliate the outer layer of skin, which once removed is suctioned away with a vacuum tool.

Since it is a comfortable, painless, and spa-like procedure, microdermabrasion requires no anesthesia, and you can return to work and all of your regular activities immediately after you’re done. You may notice some mild redness for about an hour after the treatment, but this almost always goes away on its own. Most patients can achieve noticeable results after a series of five to ten treatment sessions spaced one to two weeks apart.

Contact Dr. Busso Today to Schedule Your Chemical Peel or Microdermabrasion Treatment

If you’re ready to get rid of the “baggage” of damaged skin to reveal smoother, more vibrant skin, Dr. Mariano Busso is ready to help you. A widely published and highly acclaimed physician and leader in his field, Dr. Busso has the skill, knowledge, and expertise to oversee your next chemical peel or microdermabrasion treatment to ensure beautiful, long-lasting results.

To schedule an appointment in Miami, call our office at 305-857-0144.