Frequently Asked Questions About Chemical Peel
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1. What is a chemical peel?
2. At what age can a chemical peel be performed?
3. What does a typical chemical peel consultation involve?
4. How is a chemical peel performed?
5. What should I expect post-operatively?
6. Will it hurt?
7. When will I be able to see the results?
8. What are the risks of a chemical peel?
9. Are the results permanent?
A chemical peel is the use of an acid to remove layers of damaged or aged skin. After the skin is healed newer, softer, younger looking skin is revealed. The acids used range from very mild to very strong.Mild acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) can be used to remove a very minimal layer of skin that can rejuvenate dull looking skin. Stronger acids such as trichloracetic acid (TCA) or phenol can be used for deep peels that can correct acne scarring, serious pigmentation problems, or fine wrinkles. A chemical peel is not a quick cure for a skin problem. The deeper the peel, the longer the recovery time. A mild peel may create redness that lasts for a few days, but a deep peel may involve crusting, peeling, and a week or more before the crust falls off naturally.
2. At what age can a chemical peel be performed?
A chemical peel can be performed at any age when there is skin damage to be removed. However, the lower age limit is usually the early teens since skin damage rarely occurs before then. It is best to schedule a chemical peel in the winter, when sun exposure is at a minimum, because you must take avoid excessive sun exposure after the peel. You may need to under go a rigorous skin care regimen before your peel.
3. What does a typical chemical peel consultation entail?
A consultation is a chance to meet the physician and/or the skin care technician who will perform the peel. It is your chance to ask questions and find out what kind of a procedure you need for your skin. There are several types of chemicals used and they can be used at different strengths and the skin care specialist will go over what avenues you may take to achieve your desired goal.. You will discuss your many options after having a full evaluation of your skin type and elasticity. You may be surprised that for many types of problems, a chemical peel might not be necessary and that a good skin care program will be sufficient.
4. How is a chemical peel performed?
A very minor peel can be performed by a trained skin aesthetician or technician, while deeper peels may require a physician's presence and some anesthesia. Who can perform what type of skin peel may be dictated by state regulations, but you should have it done by the most well-trained person you can find. The need for sedation depends upon the depth of the chemical peel you are having. Before the peel, you skin may need to be primed with a special skin care regimen or microdermabrasion. At the beginning of the peel, your skin will be scrubbed and a mild toner will be used to remove natural surface oils. The chemical being used will be gently applied to your skin in one or more layers. A timer will be set and at the right time, the physician or skin care specialist will neutralize the acid and removes it from your skin. Your skin will then be wiped clean and a moisturizer or antibacterial ointment will be applied.
Sometime a burn dressing membranes or other material will be used to bandage the treated skin. You will be given instructions on how to care for the treated area. With a deep peel, you will have several days of some discomfort and tenderness and your skin may become crusted and weep clear fluid. It may be a few weeks until you see pink, new skin. This new skin will be as delicate as a baby's skin and you must be careful to use sunscreens to protect it.
5. What should I expect postoperatively?
You will feel as though your skin has a windburn or sunburn and it will feel tight. You will be given instructions on how to properly care for your skin. Follow them exactly.Try not make excessive or widely exaggerated facial expressions. This can tearing of the skin and bleeding, and possible scarring. Let your skin heal naturally and do not peel or tug on any skin. You can cause severe scarring if you do this. With a mild peel, your skin may look red or pink for several days. With a deeper peel, you will have crusting and some clear fluid weeping from the skin for several days. After your peel, you absolutely must wear strong sunscreen whenever you go out. Your treated skin will be like a new baby's skin and must be protected.
During the peel. you may experience a warm or tingling sensation or, depending upon the strength of the peel, a stinging sensation. Your physician or the skin technician may cool your skin with a fan on low speed to help with this discomfort. Stronger peels may require some local anesthetics and even sedation.
7. When will I be able to see the results?
As your skin heals from the peel, you will start noticing pink, fresh skin emerging from under the peeling skin. Do not help the peel along by pulling or rubbing this old skin off. Within a few weeks, the pinkness will fade for most, light peels. Depending upon the depth of the peel you may have lingering pinkness which may look like a mild sunburn or a flushed appearance. Your physician or the skin care technician will discuss with you what to expect for the depth of the peel you are having.
8. What are the risks of a Chemical Peel?
There are risks to having a chemical peel even though it is a relatively noninvasive cosmetic procedure. One risk is that the peel goes deeper than intended. There is the risk of bacterial or viral infection to your skin before it heals. Viral infection is a special problem. If you have occasional outbreaks of oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters), you must get approval from your primary physician before the peel and get a prescription for an antiviral medication. If you develop a cold sore or fever blister before you heal, it can spread to the whole treated area and cause scarring. This is very important! Taking an antiviral medication can significantly decrease your chances of an outbreak of herpes during your healing period, and greatly reduce your risk.
For deeper peels, you skin will develop crusting or excessive weeping. With an AHA peel, this may be normal, but there is a borderline appearance you must watch out for. Ask your skin care specialist about what to look for. For a typical AHA peel, you should feel and look normal within 3 to 4 days. For deeper peels, your downtime may take weeks or even months for complete recovery.
If you experience pain on any areas of your face, contact your surgeon or skin care specialist immediately, especially if you are prone to cold sores. Also call if you see any blisters!
Hyperpigmentations (excessive coloration) and hypopigmentation (pale areas) can be a problem after a chemical peel, especially with people who have darker skin, and anyone who does not take proper care of their skin after the peel.
Adhere to all your physician's instructions to decrease your chances of long term or permanent scarring after your peel.
The results of a chemical peel will be permanent if you take proper care of your skin after it. If you continue to sunbathe, smoke, and do not take care of your skin, your skin will become damaged again. Although you will. of course, continue to age after a peel, your wrinkles will be minimized and your skin will look younger depending upon the depth of the peel. Taking care of your skin and using a high SPF sun block will help you retain the rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.