You don’t have to look your age. Whatever your age or skin concern, the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, will develop a custom treatment plan just for you so that you look your very best. Because they are trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology, our team fully understands the underlying features of your face and neck. This means they go beyond the surface to help you look your very best, offering a variety of cosmetic procedures to slow or reverse the effects of aging, improve skin tone and texture and repair appearance following an accident or injury.

Facial skin conditions

• Acne — Also known as acne vulgaris, this long-term skin disease can occur at any age, although it most frequently begins in adolescence. As hair follicles clog with dead skin cells and oil from the skin, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts may arise. In severe cases, significant scarring can result. Fortunately, there are now many effective prescription treatments, both topical and oral, that can help patients minimize or eliminate acne. In-office skin treatments may also be helpful, and there are multiple options for reducing the appearance of or eliminating acne scars and discoloration.
• Discoloration or age spots — Sun exposure, acne, trauma, scars, birthmarks, aging and more can cause pigmentation issues or skin discoloration. Depending on the cause, a treatment can be personalized for you.
• Hypertrophic scars — These are thickened, wide, often raised scars that are similar to keloids. However, a hypertrophic scar may fade over time. They often form at the sites of pimples, body piercings, cuts and burns and may contain nerves and blood vessels.
• Keloids — Similar to, but usually more pronounced than hypertrophic scars, a keloid scar is typically much larger than the original wound. Caused by excess collagen production, it is often red, hard and fibrous and may continue to grow without treatment, either nonsurgical or surgical.
• Rosacea — A persistent red appearance caused by dilation of blood vessels in the face, rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that can worsen if left untreated.  
• Scars — Any scars, even small ones, can be devastating when they occur on the face or neck. Facial plastic surgeons have many techniques available to minimize or eliminate scars of all types and sizes.
• Skin cancer — Ohio State Facial Plastics can screen for skin cancer, perform biopsies on suspicious lesions, provide ongoing surveillance or repair the skin’s appearance following skin cancer removal and treatment.
• Skin defects — There are many different types of skin defects. Some are present at birth; others occur with age or following an accident, burn or scald. Others arise from pressure sores, surgeries or undesirable healing of diabetic skin or other conditions. Whether large or small, we can work with patients to identify the best course of treatment.
• Skin nevus or moles — Unusual skin lesions or moles may appear at any age. Removal, particularly from the face, requires careful skill to minimize scarring.
• Skin tags — Also called acrochordons, these small, painless growths of skin are benign and can appear anywhere on the body, including the face and neck. Their removal is quick and simple.
• Wrinkles — With age comes wrinkles. These folds, ridges or creases in the skin can be relatively minor to significant and are made worse by smoking and sun exposure. If your facial wrinkles bother you, it’s time to see a facial plastic surgeon who has many available treatment options. If you’re merely worried about wrinkles, that too deserves a visit, as we can discuss preventive measures.

Facial skin treatment options

• Acne treatment — We have many acne therapies available, from prescription cleansers and topicals to oral medications and in-office treatments. Your individual plan will be based on the type of acne you have, along with your age and other skin issues.
• Excision of skin lesions — Growths may be removed for cosmetic reasons or to screen for skin cancer. Careful removal and repair of the skin will minimize scarring or discoloration.
• Reconstruction — A person’s looks can be significantly impacted following injury, illness or medical treatment, with individual features altered either slightly or significantly. The goal is to optimize the appearance of any scars such that looking in the mirror no longer serves as a reminder of what you’ve been through. Our facial plastic surgeons have specialized training in the techniques required to complete every aspect of facial reconstruction, including cheeks, foreheads, temples, scalps, noses, chins, lips, ears and more.
• Scar excision or revision — We may be able to remove a large scar, such as a keloid or hypertrophic scar, and suture the skin to produce an incredibly thin, barely noticeable scar instead. There are also nonsurgical options that can reduce the appearance of existing scars, even those that are years old.
• Skin cancer reconstruction — Treatment for skin cancer often leaves significant damage that requires reconstruction. We will not only address the surface scarring, but also the loss of structure below the skin that impacts appearance.
• Tissue expansion — With some facial reconstruction procedures, we must first expand existing healthy tissue to support the needs of reconstruction. This not only ensures your reconstruction will match in tone and texture, but it eliminates the need for any donor tissue, which means rejection will not be an issue, and anti-rejection medications are not required.

How much do facial skin treatments and procedures cost?

The cost of facial skin treatments varies by procedure. Because they're considered cosmetic, most insurance companies also do not cover facial skin treatments and procedures. Please call 614-366-3687 to schedule an appointment with a facial plastic surgeon near you to discuss treatment options and costs.