Chemical Peels

One of the most common patient complaints that doctors encounter is skin imperfections. It seems that just about everyone has something that he or she would change about their skin, given the chance—perhaps the patient wants to reverse signs of aging, smooth acne, or erase discoloration and blotchiness! Fortunately for these patients, there exists a solution: chemical peels.

HOW CHEMICAL PEELS WORK

A chemical peel is an outpatient procedure that can be done either in a doctor’s office or in a surgery center. The patient’s skin is first prepped and cleaned thoroughly, after which chemical solutions are applied to the skin. For more intense peels, the patient may be given a light sedative to ease discomfort. Most peels, however, do not require this, and cause merely a light burning or stinging sensation that eases after a short while (around five to ten minutes).

TYPES OF CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels are about as diverse as the patients who seek them out. Each treatment is customized to a patient’s symptoms, and can reverse a wide variety of dermalogical complaints. Superficial peels, the mildest of chemical peels, target only the very top layers of skin, and generally contain a mild acid (often glycolic acid). These work well for patients suffering from dull skin, and can give the patient a refreshed look with minimal redness and recovery time.

As the peels increase in intensity, the discomfort and recovery time increase. Medium peels generally contain much harsher acids than superficial peels (such as trichloroacetic acid) and penetrate the layers of the skin more deeply, causing a second-degree burn. Deep peels are the strongest type of chemical peels, and are used only facially. They typically use the chemical phenol, and may not be used on darker skin tones, due to a tendency to bleach the skin. Deep peels generally have a recovery time of two to three weeks, with the patient experiencing significant amounts of redness in that time.

INNOVATIONS

Thanks to patient demand, new chemical peel innovations are being developed constantly. Doctors are working hard to develop peels that are even more patient-specific—no cookie cutter solutions. Currently, there are chemical peels in development to solve specific issues like discoloration, visible pores, and decreased skin laxity. Additionally, doctors have developed a new microneedling technique in which a small puncture is made to the outer layer of skin, allowing topical medication to diffuse through and more effectively reach the targeted area.

CONCLUSION

The diversity of chemical peels is what truly makes them an excellent choice for those patients unhappy with their skin. Though no procedure is ever one-size-fits-all, peels are uniquely able to form to a patient’s needs, and are a great choice, both for patients who are new to cosmetic procedures and for patients who already have a few under their belt. That sort of diversity is nothing short of a-peeling!

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team based on an exclusive interview provided by Dr. Stewart Wang of Wang Plastic Surgery in Pasadena, CA.