A chemical peel is a chemical solution placed on your skin (usually the face)
which removes the outer layers of your skin unveiling fresh new skin. It is used
to reduce wrinkles, lines, blemishes, uneven skin and in some cases to improve
acne, facial scars and to remove pre-cancerous growths.
Chemical peels come in different strengths, depending on the amount of skin damage you have you may choose a light peel or a deeper peel. The deeper the peel the more results you will see, but theres also more recovery time andrisk involved.
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas. People with mild to moderate skin damage may find an AHA peel to smooth their skin, treat fine lines and wrinkles, uneven colour and acne. A surgeon, nurse or dermatologist may administer
an AHA peel, and you can also incorporate them into your daily skin care
regimen as many skin care products at a pharamacy contain AHA’s.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a medium-depth peel. Fine wrinkles, pigmentation
problems, freckling, sun damage, acne scars and blemishes are commonly
treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are more dramatic than those from
an AHA, and less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a Phenol
peel.
Phenol is the strong solution and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to
treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, damaged or blotchy skin caused by
sun exposure or pre-cancerous growths. Not everyone is a candidate for a
deep peel, phenol can lighten your skin and so your skin pigmentation is
taken into consideration.
As with all procedures it is important you find a plastic surgeon who has
training and experience with chemical peels. Nurses and dermatologists
also perform chemical peels so it is important to find out their experience.
All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk and you can imagine
the horrific results you could get with someone untrained administering the
peel.
The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. Anesthesia isn’t
usually needed, although for a deeper peel sedation may be given. After
the peel you may feel stinging, and have redness, flaking, irritation, crusting
and dryness. If you had a deep peel you might be swollen and your surgeon
may prescribe pain medication. After any peel you must follow any post
operative instructions carefully to ensure optimal results. It is important you
avoid the sun and wear protection…not only during your recovery as the skin
is very fragile but permanently so not to damage the new skin.
After your peel, once the redness and flaking has subsided, (up to a week
-10 days with a mild-moderate peel, up to 14 days – a few months with a
deeper peel) your skin will appear smooth and fresh, the deeper the peel the
more dramatic the results. With a mild-moderate peel you may want to
repeat the procedure at a later stage. With a deeper peel your results will
be long lasting.
Approximate Cost : $1,000 – $5,000
Recovery: 1 – 3 weeks
Possible complications: Redness, crusting/scabbing is common, rare risk of:
infection, discolouration, fever blisters, scarring, skin sensitivity.