Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, the skin is cleansed with a cleanser and a chemical solution is applied to the skin for a specific amount of time followed by a neutraliser. The new skin is usually smoother, brighter and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, back or hands. They can be used to:

After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?

Generally, fair-skinned patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated.

Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you.

Before You Get a Chemical Peel

Tell us if you have any history of scarring, cold sores that keep coming back, or facial X-rays.

Before you get a chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin by using other medications, such as Retinoic acid or glycolic acid. We may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

How Chemical Peels Are Done

You can get a chemical peel in a doctor’s office. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning there’s no overnight stay.

At first, the skin is cleaned thoroughly. Then a chemical solution — such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid or carbolic acid (phenol) — is applied to the treatment area. Some peels are neutralised with a chemical solution after the treatment period. Some are “leave-on” peels that need to be washed at home after several hours.

During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts for a few minutes followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease that stinging.

 What To Expect After the Chemical Peel

Depending upon the type of chemical peel, you may have mild to moderate redness over the treated area followed by scaling (in some peels) that ends within three to seven days. You will be given anti inflammatory creams to keep you comfortable during this time. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until you get the look you’re after.

Possible Complications

Some skin types are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent colour change in the skin after a chemical peel. Sun exposure, taking birth control pills, subsequent pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discolouration on the face may make that more likely.

 There is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face. Some people may be more likely to scar. If scarring does happen, it can usually be treated with good results.

 For people with a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a small risk of reactivating cold sores. We will prescribe medication to prevent or treat that.