CHEMICAL PEELS



Chemical peels help our aging skin slough off.  With Chemical peel treatments, a custom solution is applied to the skin, which causes it to "flake" with the lighter peels and "peel" with the stronger ones. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.  Not all chemical peels create a "flaking" of the dead skin but still offer an amazing glow.

 

What Conditions Do a Chemical Peel Treat?

 

Chemical peels are most commonly performed on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used on most body parts. 

 

• Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth

• Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging, and family history

• Improve the appearance of mild scarring

• Treat certain types of acne

• Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills (melasma)

• Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color

 

Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots, may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.

 

However, sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic procedures, such as Fraxel Laser, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (Restylane or Juvederm). 

 

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?

 

There is a peel out there for everyone. In order to determine the solution right for you, we welcome you to come in for a free consultation.

 

How Are Chemical Peels Performed?

 

The skin is thoroughly cleansed and prepped, then the chemical solution of choice is applied. It is likely that a warm sensation is felt for upwards of 3-5 minutes. Some peels are removed and some are left on and to be washed off at home later in the day.

 

Preparing for a Chemical Peel

 

Prior to the chemical peel, your medical professional may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin with topical preconditioning medications such as Retin-A, glycolic acid, or hydroquinone products. After the chemical peel, it's important to use a broad-spectrum block every day. 

 

If you have been prescribed an oral antiviral medicine, you should begin taking those as directed.

 

What To Expect After the Chemical Peel

 

Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to a sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness, followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until the desired clinical effect is achieved.

 

Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in moderate flaking skin for up to 5 days. Once the peeling process is complete the skin may have a slight pinkish tone for up to a week, until completely healed.   Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to twelve months, when necessary.

 

Staying out of the sun before, during ,and after a peel is imperative to the results of your treatment.