CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels are one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. Over time, factors such as sun damage, heredity, diet, and repetitive muscle movement contribute to the formation of lines and wrinkles in the face. Additionally, the development of pigmentation irregularities or acne scars can cause skin to lose its smooth, youthful appearance. Often performed for Fort Lauderdale-area patients on the face, neck, and hands, various types of chemical peels can reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation, as well as treat pre-cancerous skin lesions.

During a deep peel, a chemical solution is applied to the face. The solution causes trauma, or injury, to the skin’s layers. Deep chemical peels penetrate the farthest into the skin and therefore cause the most injury. This injury may extend into the papillary or reticular dermis, which is why this type of peel causes the most dramatic results. Similar to exfoliating your skin, the damaged layers of skin will peel away. As part of the healing process, increased cell growth as well as collagen production and reorganization in the dermis will produce new, healthier skin layers, which give the face a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.

 

BEFORE & AFTER CHEMICAL PEELS

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Chemical agents for treating of sun/time damaged skin are selected on the basis of their depth of penetration. Those that affect only superficial layers of skin-like salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid, and resorcinol-produce limited improvement and require frequent application. They are usually applied by a trained aesthetician and are frequently combined with microdermabrasion. They have minimal recovery time.

LIGHT CHEMICAL PEELS

A glycolic peel involves application of a prescription-strength solution that penetrates only topmost layers of the facial skin. These chemical peels are intended to give your skin a fresher, healthier appearance and a radiant glow. A single peel treatment may provide good results for some Fort Lauderdale-area patients; others may need repeated treatments to improve their skin’s overall texture. For many patients, glycolic acid peels can reduce the visible effects of aging and sun damage including fine wrinkles and brown spots.

• Type of anesthesia: none
• Duration of procedure: 20 to 30 minutes
• Facility: office
• Recovery time: 1 day
• Discomfort: mild

INTERMEDIATE CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels that penetrate deeper then superficial skin layers are called medium-depth peels. They are efficient in treating pigmentations as well as fine wrinkles. The most frequently used is a TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peel. Recovery is five to seven days; swelling and redness last up to two weeks. This peel can be used in patients with darker, olive skin tones because TCA has less of a bleaching effect on the skin than a phenol peel.

The TCA peel is often used for treating blemishes, pigment changes, and wrinkles; this type of chemical peel can be used on any part of the body.

• Type of anesthesia: none
• Duration of procedure: 20 to 30 minutes
• Facility: office
• Recovery time: up to 2 weeks
• Discomfort: mild

RealSelf Q&A with Zoran Potparic, MD