What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve the texture and tone of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers.

Although chemical peels are used mostly on the face, they can also be used to improve the skin on your neck and hands. Sun exposure, acne or just getting older can leave your skin tone uneven, wrinkled, spotted or scarred.

A chemical peel is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of your skin. The potential result of the chemical peel depends on the type of chemical and technique used.

What a chemical peel can improve

• Acne or acne scars
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Irregular skin pigmentation
• Rough skin and scaly patches
• Certain scars
• Sun-damaged skin

What a chemical peel can't do

• Treat deep facial lines or wrinkles
• Significantly tighten loose or sagging skin
• Remove deep scars

What should I expect during a consultation for a chemical peel?

During your chemical peel consultation be prepared to discuss:

• Your goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments and smoking history
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Previous surgeries or treatments

Your Aesthetic Physician will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Discuss likely outcomes and any risks or potential complications

How should I prepare for a chemical peel?

You should understand that all chemical peels carry some risks and uncertainties.

A chemical peel is usually a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.

While very rare, infection or scarring are risks of from chemical peeling treatments.

For people with certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin either lightening or darkening.

Use of hormone medications or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face or in response to scar healing may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation.

If you have suffered from cold sores (herpes) in the past, there is a risk of reactivation. Be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe medication to reduce the risk of a flare up in response to the treatment.

Inform your physician if you have a history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth) or any unusual scarring tendencies.

What are the steps of a chemical peel procedure?

Chemical solutions are carefully applied to your skin to improve the texture by removing damaged outer layers.

The formula used by your doctor will be adjusted to meet your particular needs.

There are three types of chemical peels:

• Light Chemical Peel - Subtle improvements at first, but that healthy glow will increase with more treatments
• Medium Chemical Peel - Your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher-looking
• Deep Chemical Peel - Results are dramatic, but recovery takes the longest

What is a light chemical peel?

A light chemical peel might be the right choice if you have uneven pigmentation, dryness, acne or fine wrinkling.

This kind of peel removes just the outer layer of skin (epidermis) in a light exfoliation and can result in a healthier glow.

Common agents used in light peels may include combinations of alphahydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and maleic acid. All of these chemicals are the milder choices than those used for deeper peels. You can repeat these treatments at regular intervals to achieve your desired results.

Light chemical peel procedure steps

• Your face will be cleansed.
• The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left on for a few minutes. You may feel some mild stinging.
• The chemical peel is then washed off and neutralized.

What is a medium chemical peel?

Acne scars, deeper wrinkles and uneven skin color can all be treated with a medium chemical peel.

The chemicals used for

Light chemical peel risks and recovery

You are likely to experience some redness, stinging, skin flaking and irritation from a light chemical peel.

After repeated treatments, these side effects will likely subside.

Other light chemical peel risks include:

• Hyperpigmentation (when too much pigment occurs, causing brown blotches). Avoid this by always using a high-factor sunscreen.
• Infection.

 this type of peel will remove skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis).

Agents frequently used for medium depth chemical peeling include TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Jessner's solution and glycolic acid.

Medium chemical peel procedure steps

• Your face will be cleansed.
• The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left for just a few minutes. You may feel some burning or stinging.
• The treated area may turn a whitish grey color.
• The chemicals are neutralized with a cool saline compress.
• Your skin may turn red or brown in the days just after the peel. The peeling process typically starts within 48 hours and lasts for a week. It is important to keep the skin well moisturized during the peeling process.

Medium chemical peel risks and recovery

When trichloroacetic acid is used in a medium chemical peel, you'll experience some redness, stinging and flaking of the skin. Commonly, symptoms are similar to those of a deep sunburn.

Although these chemicals won't bleach your skin, you may see some color changes. You're advised to avoid the sun and to use sunblock for several months to protect that fresh new layer of skin.

Other medium chemical peel risks include:

• Hyperpigmentation (when too much pigment occurs, causing brown blotches) may result even if you use sunscreen.
• Permanent scarring is another infrequent risk.
• Redness, which occurs in everyone after the peel, may last longer than a few months for some people.

What is a deep chemical peel?

If you have deeper facial wrinkles, skin that's damaged by the sun, scars, areas that appear blotchy or even pre-cancerous growths, deep facial chemical peels might be the right choice for you. Your provider will carefully determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment.

Your physician will use the strongest chemical called phenol to penetrate down to the lower dermal layer of your skin. For this type of peel, you may need a local anesthetic and a sedative to manage any discomfort.

A deep chemical peel usually involves some sort of pretreatment for up to eight weeks. This will prepare your skin for the peel and speed the healing process.

Pretreatment may include use of a retinoic acid cream or gel – a prescription medication that's derived from vitamin A. This works to thin out the skin's surface layer, allowing the chemical solution to penetrate more evenly and deeply.

Deep chemical peel procedure steps

• You will be given a sedative to relax along with a local anesthetic to numb your face.
Your face will go through a stepwise cleansing process.
• Phenol is brushed onto the area after an appropriate time interval.
• The chemical is neutralized with water.
• A thick coat of ointment is smoothed over your skin, to prevent dryness and pain. The ointment must stay in place. Sometimes your surgeon will cover your skin with strips of tape or medicated gauze rather than ointment.

Deep chemical peel risks

The chemical used in a deep chemical peel, phenol, can lighten the skin that's treated. With this kind of peel, your new skin often loses its ability tan normally. It is critical that the treated area is protected from the sun.

Phenol (a deep peel agent) also can pose a special risk for people with heart disease. Be sure to tell your surgeon about any heart problems and include it in your medical history.

Deep chemical peel recovery

Patients typically can return to work and some of your normal activities two weeks after treatment.

Deep chemical facial peels will result in peeling, crusting, skin redness and discomfort for several days to weeks.

Your doctor will provide painkillers to keep you comfortable. Although the swelling is likely to disappear in about two weeks, your skin may remain red for up to three months.

One treatment with a deep chemical peel will produce long-lasting and dramatic results that can last up to 10 years.