Chemical Peels

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Chemical peels are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin by causing exfoliation of the skin using certain chemicals. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which causes the dead skin to lift and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin also is temporarily more sensitive to the sun

What Conditions Do a Chemical Peel Treat?

Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:

• 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 liver spots
• Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color
• Or just as a maintenance to have your skin look glowy

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

Severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as our Sciton microlaser peel or dermal fillers..

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?

Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels. Darker skin types may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. However, the risk of an uneven skin tone after the procedure is increased.

What types of chemical peels are there?

There are a variety of chemical peels ranging from superficial, medium or deep peels. The superficial peels are the most common peels used and are applied by our esthetician. The medium depth peels are performed by Dr. Prasad, Deep peels such as phenol peels usually require sedation and therefore are not performed in our clinic. Also the advent of advanced laser procedures has substantially decreased the need for the deeper peels.

Preparing for a Chemical Peel

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

If you have been prescribed oral antibiotics or an oral antiviral medicine, you should begin taking those as directed. Typically, the oral antibiotics are prescribed depending on the depth of the chemical peel.

What to Expect During a Chemical Peel

During a chemical peel, most patients experience a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Cool compresses may be applied to help alleviate this stinging. A deeper peel may require pain medication during or after the procedure.

Sometimes, sclerotherapy treatments can cause the development of brown discoloration on the skin which may take a long time to fade. Also, one can get matting, where a group of tiny red blood vessels develop around the treatment area. This can occasionally be treated with the IPL (Fotofacial) device.

What To Expect After the Chemical Peel

Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to 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 swelling, as well as the presence of water blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to twelve months, if necessary.

What Are the types of Peels at Laser Esthetica?

Currently, we have a variety of glycolic, lactic and trichloroacetic acid peels. We are always evaluating new products and soon will be adding the Obagi Vibrance Peel. If you desire to smoother facial skin we invite you to contact our office today to schedule personalized appointment with Dr. Prasad. Call 916-333-6993 Today.