Common Questions and Answers Concerning Chemical Peels
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve the texture and tone of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers and can be used to improve the skin on your face, neck, hands, chest and back.
It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of stress.
Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with a Northeast Medical Aesthetics associate or contact us at 484-202-0017 or by email.
What Should I Expect During a Consultation for a Chemical Peel?
During your chemical peel consultation be prepared to discuss:
- Your goals
- Medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments and smoking history
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
- Previous surgeries or treatments
Northeast Medical Aesthetics may also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors and discuss likely outcomes and any risks or potential complications.
It’s very important to understand all aspects of your chemical peel. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of stress. Don’t be afraid to discuss these feelings with your provider.
What is a Medium Chemical Peel?
Acne scars, deeper wrinkles and uneven skin color can all be treated with a medium chemical peel.
The chemicals used for this type of peel will remove skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis).
Agents frequently used for medium depth chemical peeling include TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Jessner’s solution and glycolic acid.
Medium Chemical Peel Procedure Steps
- Your face will be cleansed.
- The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left for just a few minutes. You may feel some burning or stinging.
- The treated area may turn a whitish grey color.
- The chemicals are neutralized with a cool saline compress.
Your skin may turn red or brown in the days just after the peel. The peeling process typically starts within 48 hours and lasts for a week. It is important to keep the skin well moisturized during the peeling process.
Medium Chemical Peel Risks and Recovery
When trichloroacetic acid is used in a medium chemical peel, you’ll experience some redness, stinging and flaking of the skin. Commonly, symptoms are similar to those of a deep sunburn.
Although these chemicals won’t bleach your skin, you may see some color changes. You’re advised to avoid the sun and to use sunblock for several months to protect that fresh new layer of skin.
Other medium chemical peel risks include:
- Hyperpigmentation (when too much pigment occurs, causing brown blotches) may result even if you use sunscreen.
- Permanent scarring is another infrequent risk.
- Redness, which occurs in everyone after the peel, may last longer than a few months for some people.
How Should I Prepare for a Chemical Peel?
You should understand that all chemical peels carry some risks and uncertainties.
A chemical peel is usually a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced healthcare provider.
While very rare, infection or scarring are risks of chemical peeling treatments.
For people with certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin either lightening or darkening.
Use of hormone medications or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face or in response to scar healing may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation.
If you have suffered from cold sores (herpes) in the past, there is a risk of reactivation. Be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe medication to reduce the risk of a flare up in response to the treatment.
Inform your provider if you have a history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth) or any unusual scarring tendencies.
What are the Steps of a Chemical Peel Procedure?
Chemical solutions are carefully applied to your skin to improve the texture by removing damaged outer layers.
The formula used by your doctor will be adjusted to meet your particular needs.
There are Three Types of Chemical Peels?
- Light Chemical Peel – Subtle improvements at first, but that healthy glow will increase with more treatments
- Medium Chemical Peel – Your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher-looking
- Deep Chemical Peel – Results are dramatic, but recovery takes the longest
VI Peel is a medium chemical peel