Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is also known as chemexfoliation or derma-peeling. It is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing wrinkles, removing blemishes, and dark patches. During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which causes it to “blister” and peel off. The new, regenerated skin is smoother and more even than the old skin. Chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck or hands and are used to: reduce fine lines (around the eyes and the mouth), treat wrinkles (caused by aging or sun damage), improve the appearance of mild scars, treat acne, reduce freckles and dark patches, and generally improve the look and feel of the skin. Fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels. However, darker skin types may also have good results, depending on the skin problem being treated.
What Type of Peel to Get
There are several different types of chemicals used to improve the appearance of skin and the type of chemical peel procedure depends on desired results. First, there are Alphahydroxy acid (AHA) peels which are used for smoothing rough, dry skin, improve texture of sun-damaged skin, and aid in control of acne. This type of chemical peel might require various visits. The second type of skin rejuvenation treatment is a Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel which smooths out fine surface wrinkles, removes superficial blemishes, and corrects pigment problems. TCA peels can be used on neck or other body areas and may require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams. TCA chemical treatment only takes 10-15 minutes, has a quick healing period, and is preferred for darker-skinned patients. The third type of chemical peel uses Phenol. Phenol peels correct blotches caused by sun exposure, birth-control pills, and aging. This type of chemical peel smooths out coarse wrinkles and can remove pre-cancerous growths. If considering a Phenol peel: only use on face, not recommended for dark-skinned individuals, full-face treatment can take more than an hour, and recovery may be slow but results are dramatic and long-lasting.
How is It Performed
Doctor’s offices and surgery centers offer chemical peel treatments. First, the skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent that removes excess oils. The eyes and hair are covered for protection. Chemical solutions are applied to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound causing the skin to blister and peel off. This then allows new, smooth, regenerated skin to appear.
Possible Side-Effects
In certain skin types, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin. Taking birth control pills, subsequent pregnancy or family history of brownish discoloration on the face may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation. There is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face and certain individuals may be more at risk. If scarring does occur, it can usually be treated with good results.
Treatment Cost
Chemical peel cost depends on number of treatments required to achieve the desired result, number of treatments required to maintain the new look, anesthesia, and type of peel. Often package pricing is available for multiple treatment sessions. Costs for the chemical peel can range from $75 to $600 or more. Annual costs for a daily skincare regimen and maintenance can be $750 or more.
How to Get It
Talk to a qualified doctor about your goals and the treatment options available for your condition. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have extensive experience with anti-aging procedures.
Dr. Brian Kinney on Chemical Peels
We interviewed Doctor Brian Kinney about Chemical Peels,
Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that have been around for decades. They continue to be a popular treatment as they work really well. Dr. Brian Kinney’s patients like them and respond really well to them. The treatments can exfoliate and remove thickened, stiff, or rough outer layers of skin. They are also meant to firm and tone the skin, improve pigment irregularities and sunspots, stimulate collagen production and generally restore a youthful, supple, smoother appearance to skin.
Patients choose to undergo this procedure as a means of removing wrinkles, getting rid of pigment and sunspots, and have a healthy soft glow to the skin. The problem is, patients also want no downtime, no redness, no burn from the chemicals, and no pain from the procedure. Unfortunately it’s not that easy. Generally speaking, according to Dr. Brian Kinney M.D., “the more the burn, the longer the healing, the more the redness, the greater the change.”
Most of Doctor Brian Kinney’s patients choose the TCA peels because they provide a good balance of downtime versus results. Significant improvement comes within a week or two and during most of the healing makeup can be used.
The first step of the process is to chemically treat the skin. This part of the treatment can be relatively precisely controlled. The second step is allowing the body to respond to the “injury.” This part of the process varies based on each individual so the results are less predictable. Some people heal quickly and have fabulous results. Others are red and swollen for several weeks or more and have less improvement in wrinkles, spots and texture. When science advances enough to control the healing better, the results improve as well.
For those individuals who cannot afford a professional chemical peel by certified physicians such as Brian Kinney M.D., mild, over the counter preparations (AHA) peels are available in spas, cosmetic centers, and pharmacies. These over the counter options are also available as first line therapy in a doctor’s office. When used repeatedly, they will usually improve your skin’s appearance. Patients experience a shine, firmness and smoothness to the skin, but the results are much less dramatic than a professional peel.
Unlike the over the counter options, TCA peels are stronger, cause a deeper burn and result in more dramatic change, like a laser. Mild preparations (<10%) can be found mixed in some over the counter preparations, but may only have an effect similar to the AHA’s. In the mid range (20%), it is possible to undergo a procedure without any topical anesthetic cream. Generally, these peels will cause redness for 2-5 days, darkening of the outer layer of the skin and dryness before the skin separates by 5-10 days. Makeup is usually worn after this initial period while it is possible to go without makeup within a couple of weeks. Doctor Brian M. Kinney recommends skin protection from the sun for three months or more. Whether you’re getting a chemical peel or not, Doctor Brian M. Kinney M.D. would still recommend sun protection as it helps minimize sun damage to your skin.
For even more dramatic results, medium TCA peels (30-50%) are stronger. However, Dr. Brian M. Kinney suggests that you should expect to add another week to the healing process. The intense TCA peels (50-80%) may be as strong, or stronger, than laser treatments. You should expect several more weeks healing time at each stage. Topical anesthetic is often not adequate and an intravenous sedation is required for pain control during the procedure while oral pain medication may be taken for a couple of days afterwards. Expect to be out of circulation for a week, but the pain generally subsides within 1-2 days.
A phenol with croton oil preparation has been in use for decades and causes a powerful, deep peel, but takes many weeks for the swelling and redness to go down. In the end, the skin can often end up being a shade or two more pale, but the spots are gone, the tone is better and the surface is smooth. If your skin damage is severe, you may choose this, but Brian M. Kinney M.D. warns you to be prepared for the healing process to take a while.