In Autumn two techniques are particularly sought after at Clinic Lémanic: laser and peels. Both treatments have specific applications but they are unbeaten methods to refresh and homogenise skin tone in both men and women.
Smooth skin, peachy complexion and glow. All these expressions are commonly used every day to refer to beauty ideals that have inspired cosmetic medicine treatments to restore radiance to the skin. Many people start to worry about this as the colder and less sunny months approach.
What are the best techniques to give patients the fresh and rested look they are after? There are two main options: laser technology acts on wrinkles and texture, while peels erase imperfections and even out tone by removing pigmented marks.
Lasers: skin tone and texture
A dull tone and a crepey texture are signs of tired and lifeless skin that could benefit from a laser treatment to restore glow. Different sorts of lasers (ablative, vascular, pigment, fractional) can be used to even out tissue, remove fine lines under the eyes, and reactivate collagen production to restore suppleness, firmness and elasticity to the skin as well as removing benign localised red and brown marks.
While women tend to look for uniform and even skin tone, men are typically more concerned with the texture of their skin. This has to do with the thickness of men’s skin. In this case, lasers work on the texture of the skin, improving the grain and closing dilated pores. In women, the laser action targets the pigment and unifies tone in specific areas of the face.
Brightness restored by peels
Often acting on several dermal layers, chemical peels revitalise the skin and restore brightness, freshness and evenness of tone. Peels are a classic treatment in cosmetic medicine and they are appropriate for both men and women’s skin. There are three common types of peels. Superficial peels act on the epidermis; medium depth peels act up to the upper layer of the dermis, and deep peels on deeper layers of the dermis.
Superficial peels are indicated for a wide variety of skin types and are designed to improve the appearance and quality of skin. Containing fruit acids, the treatment is ideal for younger skin. It restores glow and eliminates blackheads.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is the standard treatment agent for medium depth peels. It is extremely effective and renders the skin toned and bright while removing surface-level flaws. The treatment offers remarkable results for brown spots, fine lines and superficial acne scars.
For deep treatment, Phenol is the agent of choice. It can treat deep wrinkles and is appropriate for patients with noticeable wrinkles, premature aging, or skin that has been damaged by the sun or tobacco use. After the peel, the skin appears wrinkle-free and is drastically rejuvenated and firm.
Peels can give you a “brand new” appearance by quickly restoring glow to the skin and making it visibly even and soft. Laser treat- ments, often used to complement peels, help remove obvious flaws like unsightly wrinkles, erasing the signs of aging.
By the doctor Véronique Emmenegger
Doctor of medicine. Double specialist qualification from the FMH(SwissMedicalAssociation) in Clinical Dermatology, Venereology, Allergology and Immunology. In1998, she co-founded the Clinic Lémanic in Lausanne, Switzerland – a clinic dedicated to anti-aging, skinhealth and beauty – where she has been Medical Director for 20 years. Winner of several international awards, including the IIPP Prize for Merit for the Development of Technology in Aesthetic Medicine at the UNESCO in Paris.
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