Chemical Peels
Ready for smooth, youthful looking skin but not ready for surgery? A chemical peel treatment could be just the solution that you are looking for. Chemical peels offer dramatic improvement to skin, reducing fine lines, sun damage, scars and wrinkles and are a safe alternative to surgery.
Chemical peels use a liquid solution that remove layers of sun damaged skin cells, leaving fresh skin which has a more even surface and color. Chemical peels can be performed on your entire face, neck, chest, back, or hands. Healing time varies, depending on the type of peel that is performed.
What are my peel options?
There are three depths of peels. Light, medium, and deep.
Light peels(or lunchtime peels)
The most commonly performed peels using alpha hydroxyacids. These are naturally occurring acids found in fruits and other foods. Alpha hydroxyacids have proven to be effective in treating dry, oily, acne, sun damage, dimishing fine lines, de-ceasing pore size and improving skin texture.
Lactic Acid is derived from sour milk. Lactic acid is very gentle on the skin but very effective. Lactic acid not only exfoliates but also hydrates the skin because it dissolves intercellular glue that brings moisture form the deeper layer to the skins surface. It kills bacteria and brings oxygen into the skin. Skin is left glowing and radiant. To achieve maximum results, a series of six or eight peels is recommended.
Modified Jessner Peel is a combination of Salicylic Acid and lactic acid. This diminishes fine lines, reduces pore size, evens skin tone, smoothes texture, and gives skin a vibrant healthy glow. The result of the first peel may be disappointing, but after several peels, significant improvement is evident.
Medium Peels
Medium peels require some downtown time.
Vitamin A Peel — there may be mild to excessive flaking that will occur a few days after application. It is recommended that 3-4 sessions be completed 1-2 weeks apart for optimal results. Some experts agree that several Vitamin A peels may be the equivalent to a year's use of Retin A. The Vitamin A peel will rejuvenate, condition and strengthen skin in general. It is effective in treating sun damage and pigmentation. The L-Retinol stimulates the new growth of tiny blood vessels, speeds up the production of collagen, improves circulation and increases oxygen to the skin.
Trichloracetic acid (TCA) — The results depend on its concentration, usually 20 to 35%. This treatment is painful and treated areas are swollen, red and crusted for the next week or so. It can lead to impressive improvement in skin texture with a reduction in pigmentation. Although fine wrinkles and some acne scars are less obvious, the TCA peel has no effect on deep furrows.
Deep Peel — performed by Dr. Klapper or Dr. Rosenblatt
Deep peels with stronger chemicals get rid of large wrinkles and can be have as dramatic result as a face-lift. This type of peel has a recovery time of 1-2 months. This peel is being done less since the introduction of laser resurfacing. Phenol results in deep skin injury. It is preformed in an outpatient surgery setting and can be very painful.
What are chemical peels like?
We will cleanse the treatment area and then apply the chemical solution. A slight burning sensation is felt for a short time, but the solution also works as a mild antiseptic. The depth of the peel will depend on the type of peel decided upon (light, medium, deep), but all peels reveal new, fresher, more youthful skin.
Does it hurt and what can go wrong?
Chemical peels are normally a safe procedure, however, as with any medical procedure, they have some potential risks. The greatest risk involves over exposure too the sun. Failure to follow our directions for post care for protecting skin from the sun can result in uneven skin pigmentation and blotching. Deep peels may pose special risks for patients with a history of heart disease. It's important to notify us of any previous occurrence of heart aliments when he or she takes your medical history.
What should I expect from a chemical peel treatment?
The results of a chemical peel will depend on the type of peel that was performed. A light peel will have more subtle results, which will become more visible on subsequent visits, but you will immediately see more vibrant, younger skin. Medium peels will show greater results then light peels, and deep peels show the most dramatic results.
Small flakes or scabs may form to protect the new skin, but are usually removed gently with proper homecare cleansers and healing products. With deeper peels some abnormal itching, swelling or tingling may occur. Your doctor will provide you with medications or directions on how to use cold compresses to minimize this condition.
Recovery time also depends on the type of peel performed. Deep peels take weeks too heal and require some bandaging and refraining from strenuous activity. While medium peels may require you take it easy for a few weeks, and light peels provide the quickest healing time and have no downtime.
For more information, we encourage you to call to schedule a free in-office consultation.
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