Chemical Peel

Whether or not you were born with perfect skin, chances are that by now you've developed a few flaws that you'd rather live without; from bags under the eyes that feel more like suitcases to those "laughter lines" that are nothing to smile about. Time takes its toll on all of us.

While cleansing thoroughly and eating a balanced diet help maintain healthy skin, they won't reduce the lines and blemishes that are already etched into your skin. That's why a chemical peel seems to be the perfect non-surgical solution.

When one of Dr. Thompson's patients first visited his office, she had dark circles under her eyes and lines on her face. A chemical peel helped eliminate both problems.

This patient told us, "What I wanted more than anything was to regain the smooth appearance my face once had. You see, I used to be a smoker, and I really wanted to get rid of all those telltale wrinkles and lines around my lips. I could have had just the area around my mouth treated, but I decided to have my whole face done. If you look carefully, you can still see a couple of lines around my mouth, but compared to before, I'm very pleased with the results."

The chemical usually used in a "deep peel" is phenol. Phenol is a form of acid, and the strongest solution any doctor can apply to your skin. It literally burns away the top layers of the skin, leaving new soft skin to come through.

The procedure itself is not a long one, usually taking about an hour, and is usually performed with general anesthesia.

After the peel you can expect the area that has been treated to form a scab as it heals. Within ten days after surgery new skin emerges that is bright pink, like that of an intense sunburn. This color fades gradually over the next few months and can be camouflaged with makeup starting around ten days after the procedure. "Yes, your face gets crusty for a few days and at that stage, you cannot wear makeup at all, but afterwards you can disguise the redness well. I also wore big hats and stayed out of the sun to protect my new skin."

Until Dr. Thompson explained the different benefits that this patient would achieve, like many of us, she didn't know what to expect with a chemical peel verses a facelift. "I had a facelift a year ago now, and although that tightened the skin it can't smooth the wrinkles out like a peel."

This is precisely why chemical peels are often done in conjunction with a facelift. "The facelift is like putting on a fitted sheet and the face peel is like tucking it in. The peel has made my facelift feel so much better, much tighter, yet it doesn't look artificial. Now I get complimented on my complexion all the time."

A less intense peel with Trichloractic Acid (TCA) can improve skin with blotchy pigmentation and remove fine lines, but it will not noticeably improve deep wrinkles.

The success of chemical peel and the longevity of its outcome are influenced by your age, skin tone and skin color. But overall, there should be a smoother, shinier and even lighter appearance to the skin after the procedure. So, is it all worth it? "It is quite uncomfortable for a few days, but not to the point where I wouldn't do it again. The benefits definitely outweigh any mild discomfort".

Chemical Peel Questions and Answers