Skin Rejuvenation

Dr Sascha Dörrmann’s skin rejuvenation programme offers plasma lift with platelet-rich plasma (aPRP), skin boosters, microneedling and chemical peels. These different methods can also be combined to great effect.

Nowadays, people are living longer and longer and usually still feel active and energetic even in old age. However, their appearance does not always match their inner, subjective feelings. Ageing skin becomes increasingly wrinkled and creased. From the age of 30 onwards, the skin becomes thinner, gradually loses its water storage capacity and, as a result, its tone and elasticity. It no longer radiates the freshness of youthful skin. Sometimes its colour also changes to a greyish tone.

In addition to the natural ageing process, the causes and speed of skin ageing are genetically determined (intrinsic skin ageing) on the one hand and triggered by various environmental factors (extrinsic skin ageing) on the other. These include, for example, exposure to UV light (sun, solarium), smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, an unhealthy and unbalanced diet, insufficient fluid intake, medication, lack of exercise, too much stress, too little sleep, too little fresh air and lack of care.

Skin rejuvenation methods can restore some of the skin’s original freshness and vitality. Its surface structure becomes visibly finer, firmer and more radiant, and wrinkles are smoothed out.

Plasma lift / platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) for the face, neck, décolleté and hands

Often referred to in the media as a ‘vampire’ or ‘Dracula’ lift, it is used for intensive revitalisation and tightening of your skin. While individual, deeper wrinkles are treated with botulinum toxin type A or dermal fillers, plasma lift is particularly suitable for superficial and fine wrinkles, as well as for refreshing your complexion.

A plasma lift is particularly suitable and recommended

for skin aged 30 and above as a preventive measure
for skin damaged by UV light after many years of solarium use
for ‘smoker’s skin’ with its dull and sallow complexion
to improve skin texture in cases of fine lines and coarse-pored skin

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) is obtained from your own blood through a simple blood draw. This virtually eliminates the possibility of an allergic reaction or intolerance. Whether reinjected or applied externally, it is a simple and safe method of supporting the body’s own regenerative and healing powers using state-of-the-art biotechnology.

The highly concentrated blood platelets (thrombocytes) release the body’s own growth factors and stem cells, which control and stimulate the skin regeneration process. This can achieve a natural rejuvenating effect on the face, neck, décolleté and hands, smoothing small wrinkles, refining pores and improving the appearance of the skin. The body’s own platelet-rich plasma is ready for use in just 10 minutes.

aPRP injections are also an effective treatment for acne, hypo-/hypertrophic scars and stretch marks (striae distensae).

Circular hair loss (alopecia areata) and androgenetic hair loss can also be successfully treated with aPRP injections into the scalp. Stem cells and growth factors stimulate microcirculation and the hair roots. This can slow down hair loss and promote new hair growth.

Treatment examples

Skin booster therapy

For intensive hydration of your skin

A very small cannula is used to inject a new, special hyaluronic acid product, which is combined with a dermo-restructuring complex, under the skin. In addition to improving elasticity and skin texture, this also smooths out small wrinkles. Your skin receives comprehensive and deep hydration.

In principle, skin booster therapy can be beneficial at any age, for all skin types, men and women, and for structurally damaged skin (e.g. acne scars or sun-damaged skin). It is particularly suitable for refreshing the skin and smoothing small wrinkles on the face, neck, décolleté and hands. The skin looks more radiant, fresher and more balanced.

As a rule, three build-up sessions are required, at intervals of approximately three to four weeks. Subsequently, a quarterly to half-yearly refresher treatment is recommended.

Treatment examples

Microneedling / percutaneous collagen induction

Medical microneedling is particularly suitable for treating stretch marks, striae and cellulite. It can also be used to treat sun-damaged skin and unsightly surgical and acne scars. Medical microneedling can lead to noticeable and visible improvements in skin quality for the aforementioned skin conditions.

The fine needles of the derma roller or electric microperforator create micro-injuries in the skin, causing the skin to respond with its own wound healing processes, stimulating the body’s own collagen and elastin production and releasing growth factors. This strengthens the connective tissue, tightens the skin and smooths wrinkles. The regeneration process takes several months and at least three treatments are usually necessary at intervals of approximately three to four weeks.

To enhance the effect, Dr. Sascha Dörrmann combines medical microneedling with a plasma lift treatment on request.

Treatment examples

Chemical peel for face, décolleté and hands

Improves and tightens the surface texture of your skin by exfoliating the uppermost and often damaged layers of skin. This can reduce or eliminate wrinkles, unsightly age spots/pigmentation, excessive calluses and coarse-pored skin.

The new, fresher and more youthful skin can absorb care products much better. Depending on the intensity, a distinction is made between a superficial peel (lunchtime peel), a medium-depth peel (weekend peel) or a deep peel (phenol peel). These peels are purely medical treatments that may only be performed by a trained doctor. They should not be confused with the exfoliation procedures performed by a beautician.

During an individual consultation, we will discuss the chemical peel treatment that is best suited to your skin type. You will also receive detailed information about the necessary pre- and post-treatment care. Pre-treatment usually begins 2 to 4 weeks before the peel appointment. After the peel, direct exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first 3 months. It is also necessary to consistently use a sunscreen product with a high sun protection factor. As part of skin cancer prevention and anti-ageing, these measures should now be standard practice anyway. If these precautions are taken, a chemical peel can also be carried out in summer without any problems. The original idea of only having peels in winter due to lower sun exposure is no longer an argument against treatment in summer, provided that protective measures are taken. Lunchtime and weekend peels are suitable for patients who want no or only minimal downtime.

Exfoliating substances

The following substances are used in varying concentrations for exfoliation:

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) = fruit acids, e.g. glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid
Beta hydroxy acids, e.g. salicylic acid
Jessner’s solution
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Croton oil and phenol

Superficial chemical peel (lunchtime peel, fruit acid peel):

The peel is limited to the horny layer of the epidermis and covers a depth of approx. 0.06 mm.

The indications for a superficial chemical peel are:

Very fine wrinkles
Refreshing the complexion in cases of dull and lacklustre skin
Coarse-pored skin
Light age spots
Pigmentation disorders (light skin types)
Cornification disorders

Fruit acids (AHA = alpha hydroxy acid) penetrate particularly well into the superficial, often damaged layers of the skin and exfoliate them. This smooths out wrinkles and reduces unsightly pigmentation caused by sunlight and solarium visits. The skin becomes finer-pored and takes on a fresher and firmer appearance. In order to achieve optimal peel results, there is first a pre-treatment period of 2 to 4 weeks (pre-peel phase), during which you prepare your skin for the peel at home. This is followed by 6 to 10 basic peel treatments at weekly to fortnightly intervals. The concentration of the peel substance applied is increased weekly, depending on the desired effect and tolerability. This stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin fibres. As these decrease with age, fruit acid peels also effectively counteract skin ageing and are recommended for skin aged 30 and above. To ensure the long-term success of the treatment, maintenance treatments are required at monthly to quarterly intervals. The treatment lasts between 10 and 30 minutes. No downtime is required after the superficial peel. Special care products are used for the aftercare. It is extremely important to avoid intense sun exposure and to consistently use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

Medium-depth chemical peel (TCA peel, e.g. weekend peel):

The peel reaches the uppermost layers of the dermis and a depth of approx. 0.45 mm.

The indications for a medium-depth chemical peel are:

Photoaging (wrinkles, age spots, sun spots)
Superficial, bowl-shaped acne scars

Medium-depth peeling is a highly effective treatment method for tightening ageing skin and removing age spots. Impressive rejuvenation effects can be achieved by exfoliating the upper layers of the skin and causing an inflammatory reaction in the lower layers. The cosmetic results are comparable to the effects of laser skin resurfacing. For medium-depth peels, also known as ‘lifting without a scalpel’, a combination of Jessner’s solution and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or glycolic and salicylic acid is used. The TCA concentration (15% – 35%), exposure time and 4-week pre-treatment of the skin are individually adjusted for each patient depending on skin type, skin thickness, wrinkle depth and the area being treated (face, décolleté, hands).

A TCA peel with a higher concentration can be expected to have significantly better cosmetic effects, but also stronger skin reactions, requiring 8–14 days off work. This is comparable to the downtime after laser skin resurfacing. As the treatment is unpleasant and somewhat painful, it is usually performed under twilight sleep (analgosedation). During the post-treatment phase, daily visits to the doctor’s office are necessary for approximately 4-8 days and medication must be taken to prevent infection. The skin is generally healed around the 7th-10th day after treatment. The new, smoother skin is still very rosy and sensitive. It must be treated consistently with the appropriate care products and protected from sun damage. Dr Sascha Dörrmann will advise you on how best to care for your new skin cosmetically, cover it and protect it from harmful sun rays. It is also extremely important to avoid intense sun exposure and to consistently use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. The medium-depth peel can be repeated after one year at the earliest.

As an alternative for patients who want to enjoy the benefits of a chemical peel with TCA but do not want to take 8 to 14 days off work, Dr Sascha Dörrmann offers a lower-dose, repeatable weekend peel.

Deep chemical peel (phenol peel)

The peel reaches into the lower layers of the dermis and to a depth of approx. 0.6 mm.

The indications for a deep chemical peel are:

Wrinkles, including deeper wrinkles, especially upper and lower lip wrinkles
Sagging, wrinkled skin
Age spots and pigmentation disorders
Acne scars

The best cosmetic results are achieved with deep peels using phenol-containing solutions. The phenol solution causes swelling and inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin, which increases the number and thickness of collagen fibre bundles and elastic fibres in the long term. The skin becomes firmer and smoother. Even relatively deep wrinkles can be eliminated. The cosmetic result is comparable to or even superior to that of a face lift, as the skin texture is improved in the long term and sustainably. To further optimise the end result, a full-face botulinum toxin type A treatment is carried out 14 days before the peel appointment. The deep peel is a one-time treatment. Although phenol peels do not reach toxic concentrations, cardiovascular, liver and kidney values must be determined in advance. A current ECG is necessary. The treatment is painful and is therefore performed under twilight sleep (analgosedation). As with a face lift, a downtime of at least 2 weeks must be planned for the deep chemical peel, during which the patient is not socially presentable. Severe swelling, scabbing and weeping skin are to be expected. The relatively complex aftercare requires daily visits to the practice (for approx. 6-10 days). Medication is administered to prevent infection. After the peel, the skin often appears reddened for several weeks and is very sensitive to the sun. Avoiding intense sun exposure and consistently using a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor is essential after a deep peel! The phenol peel is often used in combination with a medium-depth Jessner/TCA peel. As a rule, phenol is used to peel the area around the upper and lower lip wrinkles, and a medium-depth TCA peel is used to treat the rest of the facial skin. The full effects of the deep chemical peel only become apparent after 3 to 6 months, when the skin has completely regenerated. However, they can last a lifetime. A phenol peel is usually only performed once in a lifetime.