Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is a treatment that chemically exfoliates the skin’s top layers to reveal the softer and healthier skin below. Chemical peels help treat a variety of skin conditions. This can include environmentally damaged/hyperpigmented, acne prone, and even sensitive skin types. In many cases, wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging, and heredity can decrease and even be eliminated through the use of chemical peels. Irregular skin pigmentation, sun-damaged skin, and even precancerous keratoses may benefit from chemical peels.

Chemical peels can improve the skin’s tolerance to external factors and control acne. The patient’s individual skin type and the degree of damage to the skin determine the strength of the chemical peel used.

This procedure is not effective in the treatment of more severe wrinkles, sagging, and bulging. In these types of cases, a surgical procedure such as a facelift or liposculpture is often required.

Different peels

Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)
Uses:

• Smoothes rough, dry skin
• Improves texture of sun-damaged skin
• Aids in control of acne
• Can be used with bleaching agent to correct pigment problems
• Can be used as TCA pre-treatment

Considerations:

• A series of peels may be needed
• As with most peel treatments, sun block use is recommended

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Uses:

• Smoothes out fine surface wrinkles
• Removes superficial blemishes
• Corrects pigment problems

Considerations:

• Can be used on neck or other body areas
• May require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams
• Treatment takes only 10-15 minutes
• Preferred for darker-skinned patients
• Peel depth can be adjusted
• Repeat treatment may be required to maintain results
• Sun block must be used for several months
• Healing is usually quicker than with a phenol peel

Phenol
Uses:

• Corrects blotches caused by sun exposure, birth-control pills, and aging
• Smoothes out coarse wrinkles
• Removes pre-cancerous growths

Considerations:

• Used on the face only
• Not recommended for dark-skinned individuals
• Procedure may pose risks for patients with heart problems
• Full-face treatment typically takes one hour or more
• Recovery may be slow – Complete healing may take several months
• May permanently remove facial freckles
• Sun protection, including sun block, must always be used
• Results are dramatic and long-lasting
• Permanent skin lightening and lines of demarcation may occur

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