Chemical peels are an excellent way to refresh the skin’s appearance in one of the least invasive manners. At Allure Plastic Surgery Center’s MedSpa in Red Bank, NJ, patients can get chemical peels and other non-invasive procedures to improve their appearance.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
Multi-exfoliating treatments are designed to transform your skin, with a unique blend of Jessner & TCA peels. It is most effective in reducing superficial lines and advanced wrinkles, improving skin texture, assisting in clearing acne/blemished skin, and correcting and lightening sun-damaged skin.
Using a chemical solution, a chemical peel is a minimally invasive procedure that removes damaged outer layers of the skin to produce skin with a smooth texture that looks refreshed and soft.
Benefits of a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are often recommended because they have the following benefits:
- Improve the appearance of the skin
- Diminish skin discoloration
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduce the appearance of scars
How Is a Chemical Peel Performed?
Chemical peels are minimally invasive procedures during which a peeling solution is applied to the face for a certain amount of time and then a neutralizing solution is applied to stop the chemical peel process. Depending on the extent of the treatment, chemical peels are classified in three categories: light, medium, and deep peels.
- Light peels: This type of chemical peel is the most superficial and typically allows patients to go on about their day immediately following the procedure. There is no pain or discomfort and the treatment takes the least amount of time to perform. With light peels, the results are subtle and often require multiple treatments for significant improvement.
- Medium peels: Medium peels are recommended to treat acne scars, deeper wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. The solution is brushed on and left for a few minutes with some mild stinging. Following the treatment, a saline compress is usually placed on the skin to reduce any discomfort. With this treatment, the solution removes the outer layer of skin, as well as the first part of the middle layer of skin and may leave the skin reddish brown. It can take a few weeks to return to a completely normal appearance.
- Deep peels: Deep peels are more invasive as the solution used penetrates to the lower dermal layer of the skin. This type of peel is ideal for sun-damaged skin as well as scars, precancerous growths, and areas that are very blotchy. For deep chemical peels, a local anesthetic and sedative are often used to manage discomfort. Following the procedure, an ointment is typically applied to help with the discomfort and healing process, or sometimes bandages are applied with medication to aid in healing. Patients are allowed to go home to recuperate.
At Allure Plastic Surgery Center’s MedSpa, we use the following chemical peels:
Obagi Radiance Peel®
SkinMedica®
PCA Peels®
ZO Skin Health®
Preparing for a Chemical Peel
Preparing for chemical peels often involves pre-treating the skin with Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acid, or a bleaching agent for several weeks prior to the actual chemical peel depending on the type of peel. Those patients who are more susceptible to fever blisters and cold sores are typically given an anti-viral prescription to take one week prior to the chemical peel and up to two weeks following the peel. Those who are in the sun are told to wear total sun block to prevent any sun exposure. On the day of the treatment, we suggest patients come with a make-up free face that is clean and ready for the treatment.
Recovery from a Chemical Peel
The recovery from a chemical peel depends on the type of peel used. For light peels, there may be some redness and dryness which goes away within a day or two although it may take several weeks to see the full results of a light chemical peel. Many patients undergo several treatments with light chemical peels.
Medium chemical peels involve a few days at home letting the face heal from the peel as well as ointment on the face to help speed the healing process. Many patients elect to undergo medium chemical peels toward the end of the week so they can recuperate over the weekend.
The most recovery is with the deep peel where it is recommended patients stay home for about two weeks after which time makeup is allowed. The first few days following the procedure involve swelling, some discomfort, and redness, crusting, and peeling of the skin. While the swelling is gone within two weeks, the redness may last several weeks. With deep chemical peels, the results may take the most time to appear but they may last up to 10 years.
At Allure Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. John Taylor offers plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures as well as non-invasive advanced skin care treatments to patients in Red Bank, NJ, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to set up your consultation today.