Chemical Peels

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin on the face to smooth texture, reduce scarring, and remove blemishes to produce healthy, glowing skin. There are three types of chemical peels, ranging from mild to strong - alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and croton - and formula strengths are tailored to each patient. Peels can be combined with other procedures such as facelifts for a younger look.

 

TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEELS:

AHAs are the gentlest of the three types of chemical peels. They consist of a group of glycolic, lactic and fruit acids that smooth and brighten skin by treating fine wrinkles, dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. AHAs are typically applied once a week, or may be mixed in a milder concentration with a cream or cleanser to be used daily; treatment takes 10 minutes or less. Patients may choose AHAs if they do not want the lengthy recovery time of a croton or TCA peel. Occasionally AHAs, Retin-A (a prescription medication containing Vitamin A) or hydroquinone (a bleach solution) are used to pre-treat skin and even its tone as a pre-treatment for TCA peels. These treatments are done by Dr. Harrison's staff. You can expect smoother and more vibrant skin with the AHA peels.

 

TCAs are commonly used for medium-depth peeling (though depth is adjustable) to treat fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems, sometimes in combination with AHAs. TCAs are the preferred chemical solution for darker-skinned patients and may be used on the neck and other areas of the body. Results are less impressive and do not last as long as with phenol peels, and multiple treatments may be required, but treatments only last 10-15 minutes and recovery time is shorter. Dr. Harrison will help you decide if pretreatment with skin bleaches is required. These are especially good for outdoor enthusiasts.

 

Croton Oil, a stronger chemical peel, treats deeper skin problems such as coarse facial wrinkles, pre-cancerous growths, and areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, aging or birth-control pills. Because Croton Oil can lighten skin where it is applied, the patient’s natural pigmentation is a factor in determining eligibility. Croton Oil is used only on the face, as it may cause scarring elsewhere. Full-facial treatment can last an hour or two and recovery can take two weeks, with possible permanent skin lightening. Dr. Harrison uses a modified Croton Oil peel to lessen the risks of hypo-pigmentation common with traditional peels.

 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive spa procedure that rejuvenates the appearance of the skin by treating sun damage, scarring, wrinkles and other unwanted skin problems. This procedure uses a gentle stream of tiny particles to exfoliate the outer layer of skin, leaving fresh, younger-looking skin and a renewed appearance.

 

Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure used to increase the size of the lips through surgery or injections. This procedure can be performed on the upper or lower lip, or both at the same time, and may offer temporary or permanent results depending on the type of material used. Most patients desiring larger, fuller lips are able to achieve their desired results with just one simple procedure.

 

Fuller lips can be achieved through several different cosmetic techniques. The best procedure for you depends on your overall health and desired results, along with several other determining factors. Dr. Harrison will discuss these factors with you to help you decide which treatment option is best for you to achieve the full lips you desire.

 

Skin Fillers

As we age portions of our face and hands deflate. There is a wide variety of soft tissue fillers to help restore this lost volume creating more youthful facial features and balance. During your consultation with Dr. Harrison, he will listen to your concerns and goals before outlining what treatment options would best meet your needs.

 

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is a cosmetic surgery technique that can be used to enhance or plump up different areas of the body as an alternative to synthetic implants. During this procedure, fat from the patient's own body (usually in the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks) is extracted and then injected into another area that is lacking sufficient fat volume and fullness, such as in the face, breasts, buttocks or any other area.

 

Botox® Cosmetic

BOTOX® is the brand name for botulinum toxic A, a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent derived from the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. Originally approved by the FDA for the treatment of eye muscle spasms, BOTOX® was quickly recognized for its cosmetic value.

 

Dr. Craig Harrison has been using BOTOX® Cosmetic for years as a treatment to correct visible signs of stress and aging. The medication relaxes the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. When injected in small doses in specific areas, BOTOX® injections block nerve muscles responsible for the repetitive actions that cause fine lines and wrinkles. In this way, BOTOX® smoothes the lines in the skin that make you look tired or angry.

 

Dysport®

Dysport® is a newly released FDA-approved injection treatment used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles in the forehead. Similar to BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport® is injected directly into the site of wrinkles to prevent the underlying muscles from contracting. Dysport® injections are made from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, the same protein used in Botox injections.

 

Dysport® was developed in Europe during the early 1990s, and has been used there successfully for several years. In April 2009, Dysport® was approved by the FDA for use in the US, and is expected to rival Botox, the most popular cosmetic procedure, with its convenience and long-lasting results.

 

SkinMedica®

SkinMedica's innovative line of professional skin care products are the result of almost two decades of skin care research and clinical experience. Our product philosophy emphasizes a multi-factorial approach to enhance skin appearance and reduce the signs of aging. This approach encompasses the need for interaction of a complex system of key ingredients to bring about optimal clinical benefit in the shortest period of time.

 

Juvéderm®

JUVÉDERM® is used to temporarily treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds or "parentheses lines". 

 

JUVÉDERM XC instantly smoothes out moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, like parentheses. 

 

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC injectable gel is for deep injection in the cheek area to correct age-related volume loss in adults over 21. This injectable gel is a smooth, colorless hyaluronic acid (HA) gel that contains a small quantity of local anesthetic (lidocaine) to decrease the discomfort of injection.

 

Dermapen®

Dermapen® is safer and more effective in piercing the skin than traditional skin micro-needling rollers due to its unique vertical micro-needling technology. Dermapen’s multi-speed and adjustable needle depths allow the needles to pierce the skin’s layers at 90 degrees and increases the effectiveness of needling by generating a precise, comfortable and relatively short needling session, while providing less pain and downtime for the client. Dermapen can effectively maneuver in hard-to-reach places (e.g. around the eyes, nose, and lips). Because of the vertical delivery, the needles can easily penetrate scar tissue and promotes scar-less healing similar to fractional laser treatments, IPL, laser resurfacing, and chemical peels, without the side effects and downtime.

 

 

Endermologie®

ENDERMOLOGIE® – Exclusive technique of cellular stimulation activation by MECANO-STIMULATION® - LPG®. Developed in 1986 by LPG®, it is a 100% natural treatment, affecting the connective tissues targeted in beauty application.

 

ENDERMOLGIE® comprises a number of beauty applications for both body and face. The result of these continued treatments, though their action on tissue quality, is well-being and the fight against resistant fat storage and the signs of aging skin. LPG® techniques are non-aggressive and non-invasive with no downtime.

 

A series of treatments temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite and circumferentiial body measurements of treated areas. Dr. Harrison includes ENDERMOLOGIE® treatments for post liposuction surgery patients to reduce swelling and promote lymphatic drainage.