What Options are Available?

Medical Director, RenewSkin Clinics
Dr. Greta McLaren

Technology has advanced over the past several years to make medical skin treatments more accessible and affordable than ever before. Surgery is no longer the only avenue to a more attractive, youthful appearance, as evidenced by the explosion of medical skin care clinics across the country. And, because non-surgical treatments are noninvasive, there is no down time and the cost is much lower than surgery.

Available treatments vary with the degree of damage, and your options will be explained by a medical skin care professional. For example, reducing fine lines around the eyes will probably require a different approach than correcting extremely sun-damaged skin, and the careful evaluation of a trained clinician will assure that you get the treatment most appropriate to your specific needs.
From least- to most-damaged skin, treatment options include:

Topical — a good skin-care regimen using products containing anti-oxidants like green tea or vitamin C can help protect skin against environmental damage. Products containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids can increase exfoliation and help skin retain moisture. In-office microdermabrasion is another topical treatment that removes a thin superficial layer of skin, allowing new fresh cells to replace old dull ones. This fresh skin reflects light instead of absorbing it, making skin look more youthful.

Skin peels — chemical peels, using mild fruit-acid-based preparations or stronger chemical-based acids, actually peel off the top layer of skin, allowing healthy, undamaged skin to replace the sun-damaged cells.

Laser and light treatments — for more severely damaged, inelastic skin with dark “age spots” and deep wrinkles, several types of laser and light treatments can produce dramatic improvements in tone, color, and texture.

Whatever type of skin treatment you choose, it is essential that it be provided by a facility that offers highly skilled professionals, using FDA-approved technology under the supervision of a physician. Remember, this is your skin. You can’t afford to take a chance with anything less than the best.

Greta McLaren, M.D. is the medical director for RenewSkin Clinics. She is recognized in the medical community as an expert on a variety of skin care procedures, including cosmetic procedures, aesthetic laser and light devices, and cosmetic fillers. RenewSkin has clinics in Lone Tree and Cherry Creek North. Please call 303-377-5400 for more information or to reach Dr. McLaren.