Chemical peels remove the outermost layers of skin to provide relief for fine wrinkling, acne and uneven pigmentation issues.
Chemical peels carry the risk of scarring, so it’s essential that you follow all post- treatment instructions closely. People with darker skin tones may also have an increased chance of undergoing chemical peels and developing extra color from it.
Chemical Peel What to Expect
Chemical peels may sound daunting, but they’re generally safe and have minimal side effects. Your doctor will take various steps depending on whether it’s a superficial, medium or deep peel that you need done.
Your doctor will start by cleaning and applying a protective solution, before using neutral paste around your eyes, nose and mouth (for deeper peels). In some instances you may receive an anxiolytic or painkiller prior to medium or deep peels.
After treatment, your skin will appear dry and flaky. Scrubbing at any areas that have flaked is advised against as this may damage the new cells that have formed under the surface of the new skin layer. Furthermore, moisturizer should also be applied regularly in order to maintain healthy looking skin.
Scabbing and crusting should subside within two weeks after receiving a chemical peel, at which point your new, healthy skin should appear. Although redness may linger for some time – especially in hot weather or following exercise – that is perfectly normal; to reduce it speak with your physician about possible solutions.
Preparation
Preparing for surgery requires taking certain steps. First, avoid chemical depilatory treatments and waxing at least five days prior to your procedure. Furthermore, all makeup or skincare products that exfoliate should also be discontinued for this period; this includes any retinoids and medications which provide exfoliation services to the skin.
Your doctor will recommend specific lotions depending on the depth of your peel treatment, such as lotions to apply before and after each procedure. Furthermore, disclose any medical conditions which could negatively impact its success such as keloids, cold sores that recur frequently or facial X-rays to maximize success of this process.
Some skin conditions do not respond well to chemical peels, including deep scars and severe wrinkles. When this is the case, cosmetic surgical options like carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, face lifts, brow lifts or soft tissue fillers may provide more effective solutions.
Procedure
Chemical peels are typically performed in a doctor’s office or outpatient surgical facility. Before the procedure begins, your physician will likely ask you to tie back your hair and protect your eyes with ointment, gauze or tape; additionally he/she might use something to numb the treatment area and may provide something sedating in case it involves phenol. For deeper peels using this chemical agent they may sedate and provide IV.
At a peel procedure, your doctor will use either a brush, cotton ball or gauze to apply chemical solution directly onto the area(s) being treated. Depending on which kind of peel is performed, you might feel mild stinging as the chemicals reach your skin and work.
Retin-A or another bleaching agent might be prescribed as pretreatment for medium and deep peels to help the chemical solutions penetrate more evenly into the skin, as well as reduce scarring risk. Although scarring from peels is rare, if any occurs the doctor might provide medication to address them.
Recovery
Your skin may feel mildly irritated after treatment with certain peels, taking one to seven days for healing to occur and may appear lighter or darker than usual and flake off during this time. Your physician can apply a neutralizing ointment during this process that will protect the skin while soothing any dryness that arises while healing takes place.
Your doctor will advise proper skincare and sun protection to prolong your results, and in most cases a mild over-the-counter pain reliever is sufficient for managing discomfort during healing.
Reducing scarring and discoloration by forgoing facial waxing and electrolysis treatments in the week prior to chemical peels will help minimize risk. When healing begins, be sure to wear sunscreen daily in direct sunlight until skin recovers fully; repeated chemical peels often offer better results; light “lunchtime” peels offer gradual improvements over time and are best suited to fine wrinkles, uneven skin tone or rough sun-damaged skin conditions. Medium peels penetrate further than just the outermost layers; deep peels penetrate even further within layers for best results.