Chemical Peel Maryland
What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical
peeling is a method used to enhance the appearance
of skin. A chemical solution is applied to the skin;
this chemical is designed to cause specific layers
of skin to separate or blister, peel off, and allows
new, smoother and healthier, skin to emerge.
Chemical peels can treat the face, neck, or hands.
They are used to treat a wide range of conditions
including the reduction of fine lines around the eyes
and mouth, diminish wrinkles (from sun damage, aging,
or hereditary), reduce the appearance of mild scarring,
treatment of acne (certain types), diminish pigmentation
conditions (such as freckles, age spots, or dark patches),
and an overall improvement in the look and feel of
dull skin. Chemical peels have also been found to
be effective in the improvement of pre-cancerous keratoses,
usually appearing as scaly spots. After chemical peeling
these spots are generally less likely to reappear.
Is a Chemical Peel right for everyone?
Chemical peels are found to be effective on a wide
range of skin colors and types. Fair skinned patients
with light hair are generally considered the ideal
candidates for this treatment option, however darker
skin types have also found good results.
The type of condition being treated will determine
the type of results you will experience. During your
initial consultation, your doctor will discuss with
you what your likely outcome will be.
How is a Chemical Peel performed?
A chemical peel is administered in a doctor's
office as an outpatient. There is no real recovery
time needed, however, in some cases you may need to
have someone to drive you home.
When you arrive for your appointment your skin will
be cleansed thoroughly with a special solution to
remove excess oils. Your eyes and hair will be covered
prior to beginning the peeling process, this is so
that they will be protected. Your doctor will then
apply 1 or more chemical solutions to small, targeted,
areas on the skin. These solutions include glycolic
acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic
acid, or carbolic acid (phenol). The process is done
in a very specific manner so that the wounds are controlled,
and new smoother, more rejuvenated skin can emerge.
What do I need to do before a Chemical Peel?
Before having a Chemical Peel your doctor may ask
you to discontinue the use of certain medications.
You may also need to prepare your skin for the peel
with a topical preconditioning medication. These medications
include Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid.
Your doctor may also prescribe oral antibiotics or
oral antiviral medicine before your chemical peel.
It is important to begin taking those as prescribed,
especially for deeper chemical peels to prevent infection.
What should I expect during a Chemical Peel?
Most patients report feeling a warm or hot sensation
that lasts approximately 5 to 10 minutes during the
chemical peeling process. After this initial heating
period, a stinging sensation is felt. Your doctor
may apply a cool compress to relieve this stinging.
For patients who are undergoing a deeper chemical
peel, your doctor may recommend pain medication during
or after the procedure. This is something you should
discuss with your doctor prior to having your chemical
peel treatment.
What will happen after the Chemical peel is completed?
The type of reaction you experience after a chemical
peel will depend largely on the type of peel you receive.
Patients report experiencing a reaction similar to
that of a sunburn following a mild chemical peel;
redness, followed by a scaling of the skin occurs,
which generally ends in about 3-7 days. Patients receiving
mild peels can have them repeated in 1-4 week intervals
until the optimal effect is achieved. Patients receiving
medium or deep peels may experience swelling and water
blisters. These blisters may break, crust, turn brown,
and peel off. Patients can receive medium-depth peels
6-12 months apart (if needed).
As your new skin emerges it is very delicate and
can be subject to complications, so it is very important
to avoid over-exposure to the sun and to wear sunscreen
when exposed. Your doctor will recommend any follow-up
care needed.
Are there any risks associated with Chemical Peels?
The risks involved are low but do include the development
of temporary or permanent color change in certain
skin types. There is also a low risk of scarring for
individuals who scar easily (in the unlikely event
that this does occur it can be treated very effectively).
There is also a slight risk of the reactivation of
cold sores for patients with a history of herpes outbreaks.
It is important to inform your doctor of your medical
history, including a history of keloids (scar tissue
overgrowth), prior to having a chemical peel. Your
doctor can better inform you of the risks and treatments
available.
For more information regarding Chemical Peels..
Give Pura Vida MedSpa a call today to set up a consultation
for a Chemical Peel or any of their other non-invasive
medical spa procedures. You can also request a chemical
peel consultation online by clicking
here.
