- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven pigmentation
- Shallow acne scars
- Sun-damaged skin
- Age spots
- Freckling
A chemical peel is not a substitute for a facelift.
It can not eliminate excessive or lax skin. But, in
many cases a chemical peel is performed in conjunction
with these procedures.
TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEELS
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic,
or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas
and produce light peels. AHA peels may be used to treat
fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation
and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied
weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result.
A daily skin care regimen can be used following AHA
peel in order to improve and maintain the skin’s texture.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations,
but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling.
Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment
problems are commonly treated with TCA. More than one
TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired result.
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and
produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients
with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged
skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths.
All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk.
Chemical peel is normally a safe procedure when it is
performed by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon
that may offer you a choice of peel techniques or suggest
a combination of peels to obtain the best result for
you.
THE PROCEDURE
Most chemical peels may be safely performed in office
as outpatient. Anesthesia isn't required for phenol
or TCA peels because the chemical solution acts as an
anesthetic. However, sedation may be used before and
during the procedure to relax you and keep you comfortable.
AHA peels/treatments: The AHA peel solution is applied
to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually
takes no more than 10 minutes. Depending on the strength
of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until
the desired effects are achieved. Between peels, a skin
care regimen is advised for best results.
Phenol and TCA peels: Typically, the skin is first
thoroughly cleansed. Then, the surgeon will carefully
apply the phenol or TCA solution. You may feel a stinging
sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this
feeling will quickly pass. A full-face TCA peel usually
takes no more than 15 minutes. Two or more TCA peels
may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those
may be spaced out over several months. A full-face phenol
peel generally takes one hour to perform, while a phenol
peel to a smaller facial region (perhaps the skin above
the upper lip) may take only 10 or 15 minutes. A single
treatment usually suffices
WHAT WILL MY RECOVERY BE LIKE?
After an AHA peel, it is common to experience some
temporary flaking or scaling, redness and dryness of
the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as
the skin adjusts to treatment and will not prevent you
from working or engaging in normal activities. Improvements
from AHA peels may be very subtle at first. You may
detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued
treatments, you will notice a general improvement in
the texture of your skin.
With a TCA peel, the moderate discomfort and mild swelling
you may experience will subside within the first week.
In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent
and you should be healed sufficiently to return to your
normal activities. It is best to avoid sun exposure
unless you are adequately protected. The results of
a TCA peel are usually not as long-lasting as those
of phenol peel. However, your skin will be noticeably
smoother and fresher-looking.
After a phenol peel, you may need a mild pain medication
to relieve any tingling or throbbing. If tape was used
to cover your face, it will be removed after a day or
two. A crust or scab will form on the treated area.
New skin will begin to form in about seven to ten days.
Your face will be very red at first, gradually fading
to a pinkish color over the following few weeks. During
this time, it is especially important that you use a
sun block or blotchy, irregular skin coloring may result.
With phenol peel, you can expect dramatic improvement
in the surface of your skin - fewer fine wrinkles, fewer
blemishes and more even-toned skin. Your results will
be long-lasting
