Freshen Up Your Face With a Chemical Peel

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your skin? If so, a chemical peel might be right for you. During this procedure, a solution is applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new skin cells. More than 1.2 million patients received chemical peels in 2014.

How Do Chemical Peels Work?

Chemical peels are typically performed on the face, although they can be applied elsewhere. During the procedure, a solution is applied to the skin. Different solutions can be used to achieve different results. Some penetrate the skin more deeply than others. Depending on desired results and the solution used, treatment time can vary from a few minutes up to an hour.

Chemical peels are typically categorized according to degree of penetration. There are superficial peels, medium peels and deep peels.

          Superficial Chemical Peel

Superficial peels use a mild solution that is left on the skin for just a few minutes. These are performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia and patients are generally able to resume normal activity immediately following treatment. Skin may appear red or pink following a superficial peel, but will typically look normal later the same day.

Medium Chemical Peel

Medium peels take long and can cause more discomfort than superficial peels. Although generally performed on an outpatient basis, a sedative or pain reliever may be used during a medium peel depending on patient preference.  A medium depth peel typically uses stronger agents than the superfical peel, and can take a bit longer. Some patients prefer to do these peels on Fridays so that the skin is back to normal in time for work on  Monday. It can take up to one week for a medium peel to fully heal.

Deep Chemical Peel

Deep peels have the most downtime, but can provide significant improvement in skin that has been badly damaged by a lifetime of sun exposure. These peels are often performed in the operating room in conjunction with surgical procedures such as face lifts or eyelid surgery.

Who Can Benefit From Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels can help to improve the appearance of blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin color. Superficial peels are generally appropriate for patients with blemishes caused by acne, mild sun damage and fine wrinkles. Medium and deep peels are appropriate for more pronounced wrinkles, more severe sun damage and pronounced pigment changes.

Ideal candidates for chemical peels are nonsmokers in good physical health with realistic expectations for the procedure. Our team can help you decide whether a chemical peel is right for and which peel will help you achieve your goals.

Are There Any Risk to Chemical Peels?

Chemical peels rarely result in severe complications. However, patients may experience some side effects. Generally, side effects become more pronounced with greater degrees of skin penetration. These include:

●Redness.

●Swelling.

●Changes in skin color (treated areas may become lighter or darker)

●Infection

●Allergic reaction.

At Finesse Plastic Surgery, you have a team of board-certified plastic surgeons, board-certified physicians assistants and highly qualified support staff at your service. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our services and how you can enhance your appearance. 

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