Do You Need Some New Skin?

CONSIDER A CHEMICAL PEEL

Have you ever stayed out in the sun a little too long and peeled afterwards? Well that is a little insight into a chemical peel except it isn’t the sun that makes you peel but an acid solution that is painted onto your face for one sole purpose, take off a layer on skin.

Chemical peeling uses a chemical solution in order to improve the skin's appearance. The procedure involves a chemical solution that is applied to the skin. The solution causes a layer of skin to separate and peel off. The new, regenerated skin underneath is usually smoother, less wrinkled, and more even in color than the old skin.

What are the substances in a chemical peel?

If you are like me you like to know what is going into your body let alone what is used to burn skin off of your body. The three main chemicals used are:

Phenol, is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations and is used to accomplish the following:

• smooth fine surface wrinkles
• remove superficial blemishes
• correct pigment problems

Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels that can often provide smoother, brighter-looking skin. The precise formula used may be adjusted for each specific patient

Why would I go for a chemical peel?

Chemical peels are quit common and according to Ronald Russo, M.D., a plastic surgeon at Russo Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Champaign, Illinois he says, “Medicine has more than fifty years experience with chemical peels, we know the peel is safe and produces wonderful results that often last up to twenty years.”

A chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons, to enhance appearance and self-confidence, and may be performed in conjunction with a facelift. However, a chemical peel is not a substitute for a facelift, and does not prevent or slow the aging process.

Preparing for a chemical peel?

Prior to the chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin with topical preconditioning medications such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. It is very important for a patient to inform the physician of any past history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth created at the site of a skin injury) or unusual scarring tendencies, as well as listing of x-ray treatments to the face or recurring cold sores.

What will happen to my skin afterwards?

Of course it depends upon the type of chemical peel you have, but for a mild peel I would block out 3 to 7 days for recovery. Following the procedure you can expect a reaction similar to a sunburn. Peeling that usually involves redness, followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. If you have a mild peel it may be repeated at one to four-week intervals or until the desired clinical effect is achieved.

Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in swelling, as well as the presence of water blisters that may break, crust, turn brown and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to twelve months, if necessary.

After treatment, some peels may require bandages to be placed on part or all of the skin that is treated. Bandages are usually removed in several days and may improve the effectiveness of the treatment. You want to avoid over-exposure to the sun after a chemical peel because the new skin is fragile and delicate and more susceptible to complications. Its always best to have someone drive you home.

where is a chemical peel performed?

The procedure can also treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and scarring, as well as skin blemishes common with age and heredity, reduce or eliminate fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth, correct uneven skin pigmentation, remove pre-cancerous skin growths, and soften acne or treat the scars caused by acne.

Chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.

What is the cost of a chemical peel?

In general, the price range for a mild chemical peel is between $150 to $300. The mild peels are by far the most popular chemical peels used. Total cost of a full-face medium chemical peel is between $1000 to $2,000. The fee for a deep chemical peel is about $2500 to $6,500. The wide range within for the deep (phenol) chemical peel is hinges on many variables including consultation, anesthetic, and medication fees. Mild and medium peels normally require repeated treatments - as often as every six weeks (for light peels) and two to three months (for medium peels). A deep peel generally is performed once.

Are there any complications of chemical peels?

You should be informed that in certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin. There is a risk of scarring in certain areas of the face, and certain individuals may be more prone to scarring. If scarring does occur, it can usually be treated with good results.

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