Many individuals are turning to chemical plees to improve the appearance of their skin. Used on the face, neck, or hands, a chemical solution causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off (hence the term chemical peel). The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

So What Are They Used For?

Chemical peels can help with a wide range of skin related ailments, which include reducing scarring, wrinkles and sagging skin. The peels can also help with age spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and sun damage.

The Three Main Types

Chemical peels can be broken down into three categories, each more powerful than the next. On the milder side of the spectrum is the superficial peel. Using alpha-hydroxy acid, or another mild acid to penetrate the outer layer of skin, this treatment is used to improve mild skin discolorations, and refresh the face, neck, chest or hands. They require anywhere from one to seven days to heal.

In the middle category are medium peels. Glycolic or trichloroacetic acid penetrates both the outermost and middle layers of skin to remove damaged cells. Primarily used to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, this treatment can also be used to smooth skin and even treat some precancerous skin growths. Healing time ranges from between seven and 14 days.

Finally are the deep peels. These harsher treatments deeply penetrate the middle layer of skin to remove lines, age spots, freckles and shallow scars. Patients can expect dramatic results on skin appearance, and can only be performed once. It can take up to 21 days to heal, depending on the patient and several follow-up appointments should be made to monitor progress.

Your cosmetic solution can be found at Timeless Beauty. To choose the right chemical peel for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. McCullom. Together, you can decide on a treatment plan that works best for your needs.

For years individuals looking to treat wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and lost facial volume had two possible routes: surgical or nonsurgical. The surgical route included facelifts and other major procedures that involved invasive methods and came with significant recovery time. The nonsurgical route—Botox, collagen injections, and dermal fillers—were faster and easier, but came with more temporary results. NovaThreads is a relatively new treatment that finds a happy medium between these two types of facial procedures.

What Is NovaThreads?

NovaThreads uses a technique called “thread lifts.” Thread lifts are absorbable sutures that are injected into the skin. These sutures then work within the dermis by pulling up the facial tissue and creating tighter, more voluminous cheeks, chins, and jawlines.

But NovaThreads actually function in another way, too. The injection of the thread or suture in the patient’s face triggers a healing response from the body. The response? Sending large quantities of collagen to the injection site. Collagen is a protein critical to facial, skin, and muscle tissue. By forcing the body to direct additional collagen to the location of the suture, the procedure effectively doubles its impact. The suture itself lifts facial tissue, while the body’s natural healing response produces the collagen that adds volume and thickness to the face.

Do the Sutures Stay In Your Face Permanently?

Thankfully not. While earlier versions of thread lifts used sutures that stayed in the face permanently, NovaThreads utilizes an absorbent material called polydioxanone. The body is able to fully absorb polydioxanone within six months.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

NovaThreads have the advantage of working on a patient’s facial tissue through two distinct phases. The first phase, during which the injected suture lifts the skin area, lasts between four and six months. But even once the sutures start to dissolve, the collagen response and its visible impact continues. In all, the effects of NovaThreads can last for a year, sometimes even longer.

Why Choose NovaThreads over a Traditional Facelift?

NovaThreads treatment has a few clear-cut advantages over the more traditional facelifts. Thread lifts are a short, minimally invasive procedure—patients are able to drive themselves home right after the treatment. Recovery time afterward is also much briefer compared with facelifts, and patients risk far fewer side effects. In fact, even the slightest scarring or bleeding is quite rare. Last, and perhaps most important, NovaThreads is a substantially more affordable option than a facelift.

Contact our office today and schedule an appointment. When you meet with Dr. McCullom, you’ll discuss this treatment option and others to determine which is best for you. 

When you come to Timeless Beauty for you facial cosmetic solution, you’ll be working with one of the most skilled and dedicated doctors in the business. As one of only five African-American Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons in the country with a medical degree, Dr. Cornell McCullom III brings excellence to everything he does. Get to know our favorite doctor with this brief beginner’s guide and see for yourself why Dr. McCullom should be your number one choice.

Education:

Graduating from Yale would be an impressive accomplishment for anyone. But for Dr. McCullom it was only the beginning of an extensive scholarly career. Seeking the next challenge, Dr. McCullom went on to earn his dental degree from Howard University. After a few years of assistant professorship at Northwestern and the University of Illinois, Dr. McCullom once again endeavored for more. He returned to school, earning his medical degree from Northwestern University and gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in implant surgery, facial surgeries and more.

Today, Dr. McCullom believes in staying up-to-date with the newest procedures. To ensure you get the best available care, he attends lectures and education seminars regularly. With all this education under his belt, it’s no wonder that he wants to share it with each of his patients. One of Dr. McCullom’s goals when working with you is to make sure you learn about your procedure, its benefits, and maybe even a little about yourself.

Experience:

In addition to all the years gaining invaluable experience through his schooling, Dr. McCullom completed a year long general anesthesia fellowship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He has also assisted in live videotaped surgeries for continuing education seminars. Dr. McCullom is a member of numerous professional organizations and is even starting his own teaching institute in Chicago to pass along his knowledge.

Happiness:

Dr. McCullom has been featured in newspapers and even on ABC News for his commitment to his field. In his free time, he finds happiness through regular exercise, including coaching youth soccer teams and practicing the Japanese martial art Aikido.

Dr. McCullom is also interested in making sure you leave his office feeling happy with your results. Don’t hesitate to schedule your next appointment and experience Dr. McCullom’s authentic and driven style of care.