Chemical Face Peel and What You Should Know

Posted on 19. Jun, 2009 in Non-Surgical Procedures

A chemical face peel is a procedure used to enhance and smooth the skin.  It is an effective treatment for uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and many different blemishes.  The process itself involves using an acid solution to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin.  Despite the name, the process is remarkably painless, though stinging can occur.

Before discussing the types of chemical peels, it is wise to address what makes a patient a good candidate for the procedure.  The best candidates are nonsmokers with fair skin and light hair, though skin tone and hair color are not mandatory requirements.  Many patients with varying tones and hair colors achieve excellent results from a chemical face peel.  Another criterion for the procedure is a realistic expectation of the outcome.  Patients expecting results that are not possible will find themselves disappointed and are not considered a good candidate for the procedure.

Generally speaking, there are three types of chemical peels.  A light chemical peel is used for dry patches, acne, uneven skin tone, and very fine wrinkles.  Fruit acids, salicylic acid, and lactic acid are generally used for this type of peel.

A medium facial peel is typically done with trichloroacetic acid and is used for surface wrinkling, pigmentation problems, and superficial blemishes.  The recovery time for these peels is much shorter than with deeper peels.  These peels are also recommended for patients with darker skin tones.

The third type of peel is a deep chemical face peel.  This uses a strong acid, such as phenol acid, and has a longer recovery period than other peels.  Deep peels provide the most dramatic and longest lasting results, but also carry a stronger risk of permanent skin lightening and other side effects.  These peels are used for coarse wrinkles, eliminating precancerous growths, and treating sun damage.

The side effects of chemical face peels vary between patients.  Common effects, such as stinging, crusting, and redness usually subside within a couple of days, longer for patients who undergo deep peels.  Infection and scarring are rare but serious side effects that are more common with medium and deep peels and should always be discussed with a doctor.

The last question most patients ask is about the price of the procedure.  Honestly, however, it varies from doctor to doctor and is different depending on what state you are in.  Light peels are cheaper than deep peels, but anesthesia, hospital time, and the surgeon’s costs always play a factor in pricing, as well as the condition of the skin, making a generalized cost prediction difficult.

Tags: Chemical Peel