Skin Rejuvenation

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a Fellowship trained, board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic surgery. She is also pleased to offer non-surgical procedures at her Upper East Side practice such as skin rejuvenation.

No matter what your area of concern is regarding your skin, we can help. From scars to redness to wrinkles, our non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments will address your needs so you can achieve a youthful, natural appearance.

Skin Rejuvenation with Dr. Olivia Hutchinson

We’re excited to offer the very best in microneedling, chemical peels (alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acids, and phenol), topicals, laser skin resurfacing, and dermabrasion. During your consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, she will evaluate your skin and problem areas to determine the ideal skin rejuvenation treatment for you.

Microneedling: Micro Skin Repair

Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation procedure that improves the tone and texture of aging skin and produces smoother, tighter, more youthful looking skin with minimal recovery time. As a beneficial solution for all skin types, it can be used to treat the face, neck, hands, décolleté area, abdomen, arms, or knees. Microneedling may be used as an alternative to surgery or may be combined with plastic surgery procedures including blepharoplasty, facelift, and neck lift.

Microneedling targets various characteristics of aging and sun damaged skin, including:

Fine wrinkles
Loose skin
Stretch marks
Age spots
Freckles
Blotchiness
Pigmentation

How Does Microneedling Work?

Tiny microneedles are used to create channels (micro wounds) in the skin, which trigger your body’s natural injury repair process, replenishing skin smoothness and vitality. This injury induces your body’s repair mechanism and achieves the following:

Stimulates collagen and elastin production, as well as new blood vessel growth
Allows topical skincare products to penetrate more deeply into the skin and work more efficiently
Prompts cellular renewal to produce thicker, firmer, healthier, and more youthful looking skin

Microneedling Procedure Details

As a well tolerated non-surgical procedure, microneedling is performed in the office and requires topical anesthesia only (in the form of numbing cream.) Microneedling is entirely customized for each patient, as the depth of the microneedles can be adjusted depending on skin quality and desired results.

In some patients, microneedling may be performed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP uses a patient’s own blood — which is specially processed and separated, yielding the plasma component — to enhance the benefits of microneedling. The plasma component is rich in growth factors which further promote skin rejuvenation, amplifying the results of microneedling alone.

With microneedling, there is no heat generated. Thus the recovery is very quick and involves a minimal amount of skin redness, which may resolve within a few hours to three days, depending on the depth of treatment. In certain cases, more intense treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis to obtain more significant results.

Results from Microneedling

Most often, patients will notice benefits in terms of smoother, tighter skin, less hyperpigmentation, and fewer wrinkles after their first microneedling treatment. Additional sessions spaced a month apart will achieve even greater benefits. Microneedling stimulates new collagen and elastin production and this process continues over several weeks. Additional treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart build on the new collagen formation process, which creates even greater improvement in the appearance of the skin.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that removes the damaged outer layers of skin to achieve a smoother texture, reduce scarring, and remove blemishes. The result is healthy, glowing skin. There are three types of chemical peels ranging from mild to strong.

They are formulated with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and phenol. The formula strengths are tailored to each unique patient. Chemical peels can be combined with other procedures such as a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Types of Chemical Peels

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are the gentlest of the three types of chemical peel. They consist of a group of glycolic, lactic, and fruit acids that smooth and brighten the 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 phenol or TCA peel. Occasionally AHAs, Retin-A (a prescription medication containing Vitamin A,) or hydroquinone (a bleach solution) are used to thin the skin and even its tone as a pre-treatment for TCA peels.

Trichloroacetic Acids (TCAs)

Trichloroacetic Acids (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. Patients who are concerned about the lengthy downtimes associated with deep peels can opt to undergo several medium peels spaced out over time to achieve transformative results. Medium peels typically last 10-15 minutes, with rapid recovery time.

Phenol

Phenol, the strongest chemical peel agent, 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 phenol can lighten the skin where it is applied, the patient’s natural pigmentation is a factor in determining eligibility. Phenol 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 a few months, with possible permanent skin lightening and removal of freckles.

I have had microneedling and a 25 TCA peel on separate occasions with Dr Hutchinson. She is very knowledgeable and careful. Both procedures produced very good results. Never once was I worried she was going to damage my skin. After about 10 days of peeling with the TCA peel, my skin looked like velvet. I want to try a 35 TCA peel with Dr H. I know she will guide me carefully and not perform any procedure that would cause damage. She is a lovely person and so easy to talk to. Her office staff is wonderful and attentive.

Lynn

The Chemical Peel Procedure

Chemical peels are a skin rejuvenation treatment routinely performed by Dr. Hutchinson at her Upper East Side plastic surgery office. Anesthesia is either administered as a topical cream or not at all, depending on the specific peel.

With an AHA peel, the skin is cleansed, and the solution is applied; there is no need for “after peel” ointment or covering. During TCA and phenol peels, the skin is cleansed and the solution is applied, but these may cause a brief stinging sensation. Petroleum jelly or waterproof adhesive tape may be put on the skin following a phenol treatment.

Recovery from Chemical Peels

AHA peels can cause temporary stinging, redness, irritation, and flaking or crusting. TCA and phenol peels can result in tingling or throbbing, reddened skin, a crust or scab, and some swelling, which lasts about a week (depending on the strength of the peel used). With phenol, your eyes may even be swollen shut at first, and you may be put on a liquid diet and advised to limit talking. Any tape used is removed after a day or two. All procedures require adequate sun protection to help maintain your new rejuvenated skin. During your consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, she will explain in detail exactly what you can expect during recovery with the peel that is best for you.

Risks of Chemical Peels

All three types of chemical peel have minimal potential risks, including infection and scarring. In addition to the after-effects listed above, TCA peels may produce some color changes in the skin, while phenol peels may reduce or eliminate the new skin’s ability to make pigment evenly (or at all), thus causing a lighter skin tone that must be protected from sunlight.

Topicals

Skincare is an essential part of youth preservation and a balanced routine for both women and men. A daily anti-aging regimen at home will ensure the best results from any aesthetic plastic surgery that is performed and is an important corollary to reversing signs of aging. Commonly used topical creams and skincare products include:

Retin-A

Available as both a cream and a gel — and in several concentrations — Retin-A is the gold standard of anti-aging skin treatments. A derivative of vitamin A, it leads to increased cell turnover, collagen stimulation, and younger looking skin. Daily use leads to reduced wrinkles, tighter skin, and decreased hyperpigmentation. Retin-A may be somewhat irritating and drying to your skin, so it should be used in conjunction with a good moisturizing cream.

Retinoic Acid

Retinoic acid derivatives – called “retinols” – are slightly less potent than Retin-A and are therefore better tolerated — especially in patients with sensitive skin who may not be able to use Retin-A on a regular basis. The mechanism of action is similar, and results after several weeks of use demonstrate fewer wrinkles and better skin tone.

Glycolic and Lactic Acids

Alternative creams that are available for home use include various types of glycolic or lactic acid in concentrations that are significantly lower than those used in physicians’ offices. With repeated use, these products lead to light exfoliation of the superficial layers of skin, with diminution of wrinkles and lessening of hyperpigmentation.

Sunscreen

Along with maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, wrinkle and sun damage prevention remain critical components of any anti-aging routine. Daily use of sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 or 45 provides continued protection against sun damage caused by UVA and UVB radiation.

Why Choose Dr. Hutchinson?

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson brings honesty, knowledge, experience, skill, and excellent judgment to every patient she sees. As a board certified aesthetic plastic surgeon, Dr. Hutchinson upholds the highest standards of quality and care at her Upper East Side practice. Delivering excellent results to the area for over two decades, Dr. Hutchinson provides patients with a high-end, sophisticated experience focused on safety and outcome. She is detail-oriented, provides the highest level of care for each individual patient, and offers top-notch concierge services for maximum privacy and convenience. If you’re interested in our skin rejuvenation treatments, please book your consultation with Dr. Hutchinson. Contact us online or call us at (212) 452-1400.