CHEMICAL PEELS

What is a Chemical Peel? 

A chemical peel is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, neck, chest or hands. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin is also temporarily more sensitive to the sun. There are three basic types of chemical peels:

Superficial or “lunchtime” peel: 

Beta-hydroxy acid (Laguna Beach Aesthetics uses Salicylic Acid) is used to penetrate only the outer layer of skin to gently exfoliate it. The treatment is used to improve the appearance of mild skin discoloration and rough skin as well as to refresh the face, neck, chest or hands.

Medium peel: 

Beta-hydroxy or trichloroacetic acid is applied to penetrate the outer and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells. The treatment is used to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles and moderate skin discoloration. It also can be used to smooth rough skin and treat some precancerous skin growths, i.e. actinic keratosis.

Deep peel: 

Tricholoracetic acid is applied to deeply penetrate the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells. The treatment removes moderate lines, age spots, freckles and shallow scars. Patients will see a dramatic improvement in skin appearance.

A thorough evaluation by Dr. O’Connell is imperative before embarking upon a chemical peel.

Chemical peels are used to treat a number of conditions including:

• Acne scars 
• Aging skin 
• Crow’s feet 
• Scars 
• Sun damaged skin 
• Sagging skin 
• Wrinkles
  
  

Who is a good candidate for a Chemical Peel? 

Generally light-haired and fair skinned people are the best candidates for chemical peel. The procedure does not work as well on dark-skinned patients. The procedure is not recommended for individuals with infections, active skin disease, cut or broken skin, sunburns or active Herpes simplex 1 sores. Other contraindications include patients who are nursing or pregnant, have taken Accutane in last six months, have psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis or rosacea, have used Retin-A, Renova, prescription skin care products, products that contain ascorbic acid, bleaching or skin-lightening agents or other acid-based products in the last 48 hours.

Are Chemical Peels painful? 

Superficial Chemicals peels sting but do not cause a great deal of pain. Dr. O’Connell’s gentlest peels use beta-hydroxy acid in combination with other mild acids. They may cause stinging, redness, irritation and crusting but as the skin begins to adjust all these problems will lessen.

Trichloroacetic acids are used for deeper peels. The deeper peel removes superficial blemishes, pigment problems as well as soften deep lines and wrinkles on the face. These type of treatments sting more than those with the gentler acids. After the treatment there may be redness, swelling and irritation. 

What are the possible side effects of a Chemical Peel? 

• Temporary or permanent change in skin color, particularly for women on birth control pills, who subsequently become pregnant or have a history of brownish facial discoloration.
• Scarring
• Reactivation of cold sores

All peels require some follow-up care:

• Superficial peels require one to seven days to heal. Treated skin will initially be red and may scale. Moisturizer should be applied until the skin heals, followed by daily use of sunscreen. Makeup can usually be worn the next day.
• Medium peels require seven to 14 days to heal. Treated skin will initially be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for the first 48 hours. Eyelids may swell shut. Blisters may form and break. Skin crusts and peels off in seven to 14 days. Moisturizer should be applied. Avoid all sun exposure until healing is complete. Camouflage makeup may be worn after five to seven days.
• Deep peels require 14 to 21 days to heal. Moisturizer is applied for the next 14 days. Avoid all sun exposure for three to six months. Camouflage makeup may be worn after 14 days. A follow-up appointment is usually necessary to monitor progress.

Sun exposure and smoking after a chemical peel must be avoided because they can cause unwanted side effects, including infection and scarring.