Chemical Peels

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CHEMICAL PEEL

What are light chemical peels?
During a light chemical peel, an acidic solution is painted on the skin, allowed to work for a few minutes, and rinsed off. Treated skin then flakes or peels off over several days.

Why would I have a chemical peel?
Chemical peels are helpful to reduce and control acne or milia cysts, reduce the risk of acne scarring, even pigmentation, soften fine lines and mild acne scars, reduce pore size and increase skin smoothness, natural glow and radiance.

How do glycolic acid peels help acne?
They help peel plugs out of the pores, and both treat and prevent acne. Glycolic acid peels are often followed with acne surgery; the removal of blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, cysts, and milia from the skin. With the use of a sterile instrument, a tiny prick is made and gentle pressure applied. There may be tiny crusts at the site of removal of the acne areas which usually heal in several days.

What are the benefits of a light chemical peel vs. microdermabrasion?
Both light chemical peels and microdermabrasion remove the superficial "dead" layer of skin. Chemical peels have the advantage of also penetrating into the pores to dissolve acne plugs. Microdermabrasion has the advantage of removing the surface skin during treatment so that there is no peeling later. SilkPeel® Dermalinfusion is a form of medical microdermabrasion that combines precision exfoliation with salicylic acid to penetrate and unplug the pores.

For melasma, pigmentation, fine lines and acne scars; microdermabrasion, chemical peel are both helpful.

What is the chemical peels downtime?
Downtime with chemical peels depend on the solution used.

After Glycolic Acid peel skin may be pink with mild swelling for several hours, then may flake or peel for several days. Occasionally crusting occurs, resolving within one week.

Salicylic acid peel downtime is 5 days of tightness and then peeling.

Deeper chemical peels such a TCA peel downtime is 1-3 weeks of crusting and peeling depending on the concentration of the TCA used. Deep TCA peels also have oozing and there is a higher risk of pigment change or scarring.

After any peel if an area of skin becomes crusted during healing, the area may become either lighter or darker. This is usually temporary. To minimize the chances of color change, any crusted areas must not be picked. Sun exposure should be limited for several weeks.

What are the possible chemical peel side effects?
There is the possibility of skin infection with any skin procedure. Picking at treated areas greatly increases risk of infection. Patients who have had problems with cold sores or fever blisters may have an outbreak. Valtrex® is a prescription medication that can be prescribed to prevent or minimize outbreaks.

Scarring is rare but may occur when skin’s surface is disrupted or if cold sores break out on the skin surface. Picking at any acne area, crust, or peeling area increases risk of scarring.

I have heard that there are different strengths of glycolic acid peels. What is the difference between 70 percent glycolic acid peel, 50 percent glycolic acid peel and 20 percent glycolic acid peel?
In glycolic acid peels acid strength is usually either 20%, 50% or 70%. Higher strengths usually give more results but with more risk of side effects. Spa peels are usually 20% glycolic acid. Higher strengths 50% or 70% are performed under physician supervision.

Glycolic acid 50% peel solution is used for sensitive, dry skin or patients who are on topical acne or rejuvenation medications; 70% glycolic peel for thicker, oily non sensitive skin.

Using the stronger glycolic acid peel, doctors office provides medical evaluation and treatment if needed.

What about chemical peels for hispanic skin? What about chemical peel for black skin? Is a glycolic acid peel recommended for dark skin?
Light chemical peels such as 50% glycolic acid may be safely performed on darker skin if precautions are taken to reduce post treatment pigmentation. Careful patient selection, not treating irritated skin and reducing post treatment sun exposure are important.