Chemical Peels

Chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin on the face to smooth texture, reduce scarring, and remove blemishes and pre-cancerous growths to produce healthy, glowing skin.

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What are the different types of chemical peels?

There are three types of chemical peels, ranging from mild to strong – alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), tricholoroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol – and formula strengths are tailored to each patient. Peels can be combined with other procedures such as facelifts for a younger look.

What is an AHA peel?

AHAs are the gentlest of the three types of chemical peel. They consist of a group of glycolic, lactic and fruit acids that smooth and brighten skin by treating fine wrinkles, dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. AHAs are typically applied once a week, or may be mixed in a milder concentration with a cream or cleanser to be used daily. Treatment takes 10 minutes or less. Occasionally AHAs, Retin-A or hydroquinone are used to thin the skin and even its tone as a pre-treatment.

What is a TCA peel?

TCAs are commonly used for medium-depth peeling (though depth is adjustable) to treat fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems, sometimes in combination with AHAs. TCAs are the preferred chemical solution for darker-skinned patients and may be used on the neck and other areas of the body. Results are often less impressive and do not last as long as with phenol peels, and multiple treatments may be required, but treatments only last 10-15 minutes and recovery time is shorter.

What is a phenol peel?

Phenol, the strongest chemical peel, treats deeper skin problems such as coarse facial wrinkles, pre-cancerous growths, and areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, aging or birth-control pills. Because phenol can lighten skin where it is applied, the patient’s natural pigmentation is a factor in determining eligibility. Phenol is used only on the face, as it may cause scarring elsewhere. Full-facial treatment can last an hour or two and recovery can take a few months, with possible permanent skin lightening and removal of freckles.

Where can chemical peels be performed?

Chemical peels may be performed in the doctor's office, office-based facility or outpatient surgical center.

Is a peel painful?

Anesthesia is not required because phenol and TCAs act as an anesthetic while AHAs produces only a slight stinging, though you may be given a sedative. In an AHA peel, the skin is cleansed and the solution applied; there is no need for "after-peel" ointment or covering. During TCA and phenol peels, the skin is cleansed and solution is applied, which may cause a brief stinging sensation. Petroleum jelly or a waterproof adhesive tape may be put on the skin following a phenol treatment.

Will there be pain after the procedure?

AHA peels can cause temporary stinging, redness, irritation and flaking or crusting. Phenol and TCA peels can result in tingling or throbbing, reddened skin, a crust or scab, and significant swelling which lasts about a week, depending on the strength of the peel used.

Does freshly treated skin need to be kept out of sunlight?

All peels require adequate sun protection for your new skin.

What are the risks?

All three treatment types carry potential risks such as infection and scarring. In addition to the after-effects listed above, TCA peels may produce some unintended color changes in the skin, while phenol peels may reduce or eliminate the new skin’s ability to make pigment evenly or at all, thus causing a lighter or uneven skin tone that must be protected from sunlight.

Does insurance cover a chemical peel?

They may be covered by insurance if they are performed for medical rather than cosmetic reasons.