What Is “Prejuvenation?”

The idea of skin rejuvenation is likely very familiar to anyone with an ongoing interest in their appearance. Natural aging processes and damaging environmental factors alike cause changes to the skin, including spots, wrinkles, and more—all of which can be minimized or removed via modern cosmetic treatments. Rejuvenation is not the only option, however. A strategy known as “prejuvenation” is possible with certain lasers, such as Moxi. The Philadelphia area’s Cross Medical Group explains that, as the “pre” in the name implies, these are treatments intended to be applied before various signs of aging develop.

Read on to learn more about the differences between prejuvenation and rejuvenation—and what they could mean for your own skin.

What Is Skin Rejuvenation?

Skin rejuvenation has a focus on restoration, with the goal of “turning back the clock” for patients who have noticed visible signs of aging and sun damage. Rejuvenating treatments may remove layers of skin to get rid of minor cosmetic issues, reveal new skin beneath, and trigger natural repairs and improved circulation. Examples of this include chemical peels and ablative laser skin resurfacing. Rejuvenation may also involve non-invasive treatments that encourage collagen and elastin production without removing any tissue.

Common cosmetic irregularities targeted for skin rejuvenation include wrinkles that develop as the skin loses moisture and tightness, sagging as laxity increases due to factors like fat and bone loss, spots where sun exposure has caused high concentrations of melanin, dullness due to an accumulation of dead skin cells and debris on the surface, and scars that result from injury, whether accidental, surgical, or related to conditions like acne.

The various treatments available have unique mechanisms of action and results, as well as down time and recovery windows specific to the strategy. A dermal filler injection, for example, requires virtually no alteration to daily living, while an intense chemical peel can require some time for healing and recuperation.

What Is Skin Prejuvenation?

As opposed to the reactive approach common to rejuvenating treatments, skin prejuvenation is a proactive strategy focused on delaying or preventing visible signs of aging and sun damage.

Since changes to the skin happen over time, accumulating with age, prejuvenation is a strategy most commonly employed by patients 35 or younger. Light energy from the laser travels through the surface of the skin to stimulate renewed collagen and elastin production. This keeps the skin full and pliant, as well as addresses changes below the surface that are not yet visible.

While nobody can fully stop the development of signs of time’s passage, prejuvenation treatments work to postpone early signs of aging.

Treatment sessions are gentle, requiring only three days at most for recovery after—if that. The process is so quick, it is often referred to as a “lunchtime laser.”

Patients who take good care of their skin day to day often see the best results, since healthy skin responds well to maintenance efforts. A daily regimen of cleansing and moisturizing can make a significant difference when it comes to delaying signs of aging and sun damage.

Which Is Better: Rejuvenation or Prejuvenation?

The choice between laser prejuvenation treatments and rejuvenation strategies typically comes down to a single question: Do you have visible signs of aging you want to address? If the answer is yes, the approach will be corrective, with a goal of rejuvenating the skin to provide a smoother surface and clearer complexion. If the answer is no, the approach will likely be proactive, with an aim to keep the skin look and feeling youthful.

The ideal way to determine what it right for you is to meet with a qualified professional for a personal consultation.

Want to learn more about laser treatments and other rejuvenating and prejuvenating options? Call the Philadelphia area’s Cross Medical Group at (215) 561-9100 to get answers to questions, or request a consultation online via the practice’s website.