What are chemical /
skin peels?
Chemical peels produce controlled injury to the skin, which promote growth
of new skin and improved appearance. A variety of chemicals can be used as
peeling agents and include glycolic, trichloroacetic (TCA), salicylic and
resorcinol. We use Filiorga Glycolic Acid.
The different chemical solutions
produce different degrees of injury to the skin.
What are chemical peels used for?
Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photo-aging (from sun
damage), wrinkles, scarring, precancerous lesions, and discoloration
(including melasma, freckles, and age spots).
How are chemical peels performed?
There are numerous chemical peels and each one is performed differently.
In general, chemical peels usually begin with vigorous cleansing of the
skin, followed by application of the appropriate peel.
What is the most popular peel solution?
Glycolic Acid - probably due to the fact that all skin types benefit from
Glycolic Acid - is the most commonly recognized chemical peel solution.
Salicylic Acid is also very common for use in combating the causes of oily
skin and breakouts.
How long do chemical peels take?
Most peels can be performed within a few minutes, depending on size of the
area being treated.
What will my skin feel like after a chemical peel?
The state of your skin after a peel depends on the type of chemical used
and your skin type. Superficial peels have limited effects. Medium peels
may cause some redness and the deeper peels may require 10-14 days to
recover.
How many peels will I need?
Generally chemical peels are done once every 2-3 weeks, until the desired
results are achieved. Maintenance peels can then be performed once a
month.
How long do the results last?
With good sun protection, results can last months, even years. This is
dependent upon the depth of the peel. The deeper peels generally provide a
long-lasting effect.
What are the risks of chemical peels?
Superficial peels are quite safe, although minor irritation of the skin
can occur. The risk of deep peels can include infection, scarring,
redness, and discoloration.
How long after a chemical peel before I can return to
normal activities?
A. Light Peels- The light peel takes approximately three to five days to
complete the shedding process. No downtime required.
B. Medium Peels- Medium peels usually persist for five to seven days. The
skin may or may not flake and fall away. AHAs can produce some redness
with little or no flaking, depending on the individual.
C. Deep Peels- May take several weeks to fully recover. This type of peel
is usually effective in treating hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, fine
lines and wrinkles.
What should I use at home to maintain the condition of
my skin after a chemical peel?
You can use a mild cleanser (Green Tea Cleanser) and always include either
Hyaluronic Replenishing Serum / Green Tea Anti-Oxidant Serum as often as
needed. You may resume regular skincare 3-5 days after a peel or once
redness or peeling is no longer apparent.
Sun protection is a must!
Contraindications:
- Use of Accutane in the last 6
months
- Active herpes simplex (cold
sores)
- Facial Warts
- If you are now pregnant, think
you might be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant
- If you form keloid or
hypertrophic scars
- If you have a history of sun
allergies
- Prior bad reaction to a peel
- Recent radiation treatment for
cancer
- Sun burn or significant sun
exposure in the last two days
- Surgery or cryosurgery within the
last month to the area that you plan to have peeled
- Allergic to Resorcinol
- Allergies to salicylic acids
- Blood vessel disease
- Diabetes
- Inflammation, irritation or
infection of the skin
- Influenza
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Kidney or Liver disease
What To Do Before
Your Peel
- Do not apply Retin-A, Renova,
Tazorac, and/or Differin or similar 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after
your treatment, to the treatment area
- Do not sun tan or use the tanning
bed 2-4 weeks prior to and 2-4 weeks after your treatment.
- Stop any type of depilatory
treatments (waxing, depilatory creams) to the area of treatment,
- 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks
after your peel.
- Stop electrolysis, and any type
of laser treatments (laser hair removal, IPL) to the area of treatment,
2-4 weeks before and 2-4 weeks after your peel
Chemical Peels
Post Treatment Care
- When cleansing, do not scrub. Use
a gentle cleanser
- With any peel, your skin may
start to peel 1-3 days after the peel and continue to peel for 2-5 more
days; however, it is also possible your skin may not peel at all.
- Do not peel, pick or scratch the
treated area, as this may result in scarring.
- Apply polysporin, bacitracin or
Vaseline Cetaphil lotion to dry flaky areas or as directed by your
therapist.
- Do not have any other facial
treatments for at least 2 weeks after your peel or until the skin is
smooth and back to normal.
- Always wear your sunscreen; apply
a sunscreen with SPF 30 every morning.
After Peel
- Patients may have tightness and
smoothness immediately post-peel. Peeling usually begins 1-2 days after
peel and can extend up to 7 days.
- Transient hyper-pigmentation and
superficial crusting is possible in areas of inflamed acne.
- Skin type III may experience
darkening after peel due to increased shedding of the outer layers.
Minor side effects may include, but are not limited to superficial
crusting, edema and temporary bruising in the lower eyelid areas,
hypo-pigmentation, temporary dryness and hyper-pigmentation, all which
typically resolves quickly.
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