CHEMICAL PEEL & LASER PEEL TREATMENTS

WHAT ARE CHEMICAL & LASER PEELS?

There are a variety of chemical peels and laser treatments that are used to exfoliate dead or damaged skin cells and helps your skin look healthier and have a nicer, more radiant glow. They are also called chemoexfoliation or derma-peels. The chemical peels can be divided into superficial, medium and deep chemical peels. The deeper the peel, the more you can expect your skin to rejuvenate.


WHAT SKIN CONDITIONS CAN THEY TREAT?

Chemical peels can be used for the face, neck and hands. They are useful for the treatment of:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles due to sun exposure, aging or hereditary factors.
  • Reduce freckles, age spots or dark patches, such as melasma.
  • Treat certain types of acne.
  • Improve the overall look of the skin's tone and texture.
  • Pre-cancerous lesions of keratoses may resolve with chemical peels

More severe wrinkles, bags under the eyes, bulges, and other changes associated with aging, or other skin conditions, may not respond to chemical peels and may require more aggressive treatments such as skin resurfacing with different types of lasers, or surgical procedures like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) facelifts, or soft tissue fillers, to correct these problems.


HOW ARE CHEMICAL & LASER PEELS PERFORMED?

They are usually performed at the doctor's office or perhaps at an out-patient surgical center.
The skin is cleansed thoroughly with a solution to remove excess oils, and the hair and eyes are protected. Then one or more of the chemical solutions are applied to small areas of the skin. These chemicals essentially produce a controlled chemical burn to the skin, removing the old skin, and allowing the regeneration of new skin.


ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR CHEMICAL PEELS?

Fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels. But dark-skinned patients may also have excellent results, depending upon the type of skin condition being treated.



WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO PRIOR TO THE PEEL?

Your physician will provide you with before and after-treatment instructions, but in general, and depending upon the type of peel you are going to have, antibiotics may need to be prescribed, as well as antiviral medications if you have a history of cold sores.


WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE?

Most patients experience a warm, stinging sensation that lasts about 5-10 minutes. Cool compresses may be applied to help diminish this stinging sensation. Depending upon the depth of the peel, pain medication may be required.


WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO AFTER THE PEEL?

Peeling usually involves redness and scaling that may last up to seven days. Swelling and blistering may occur with deeper peels. The blisters may break, crust, turn brown and then peel-off after 1-2 weeks.

After deeper peels, you may require bandages in parts or all of the area peeled. Usually they will be used for a few days, depending upon the condition of the skin.

After the peel the skin will be more sensitive to the effects of the sun, and you may need to use a sun block for a few weeks following the procedure, to prevent abnormalities in the color of the skin from taking place. Dermatologists will tell you that it may be a good idea to use a sun block on a daily basis anyway, peel or no peel.


ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PEELS?

Although most of the outcomes of chemical peels are excellent, the deeper the peel, or the greater the intensity of the skin resurfacing, the greater the potential for complications. The possible complications associated with chemical peels may include:

  • Discoloration of the skin can occur in the form of hyper/hypopigmentation.
  • Scarring is more likely to develop with the stronger, deeper peels as well as with laser skin resurfacing. If you have a history of keloids (thick scars) please inform your physician prior to treatment. Preparations can be made to minimize the development of a keloid scar.
  • People with a history of Herpes labialis (cold sores) may have a recurrence of their lesions after a chemical peel or laser treatment.

Do not forget to tell your doctor about your history so that he can start you on medications prior to your peel.


WHAT DO I HAVE TO BE AWARE OF AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Your physician will provide you with a set of instructions to follow after your procedure. Be aware that, like in any other skin treatment you might have, and in the case of chemical peels, depending upon the depth of your peel, preparation is of the utmost importance to maximize the results:

  • Make sure you have made the necessary arrangements to have someone drive you home after the treatment.
  • Have phone numbers handy in case of questions or emergencies.
  • Have the necessary things you will need to change bandages, medications you will need to take, water by the bedside, etc.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Do not go out of your house without applying sun block to your skin.
  • Give yourself enough time from work or other activities until you can heal properly.