Sun damage, acne, aging, and the buildup of dead skin cells cause dull skin and accentuate wrinkles, and blotchiness, making skin older than you really are! Dead skin cells clog pores and lead to pimples. Chemical peels will improve the skin’s appearance, soften fine lines and wrinkles, remove skin imperfections, exfoliate dead skin cells, encourage skin cell regeneration, and improve skin clarity, tone and texture.

What Happens During A Chemical Peel?

Before getting a chemical peel, some patients need to follow a pre-peel skin care plan for 2 to 4 weeks. Dr. Hashemi will advise you if you need to take these precautions. This plan can improve results and reduce potential side effects.

On the day of your peel, you will first be prepped for the treatment. This includes cleansing your skin thoroughly. A deep peel must be performed in a surgical setting.

After you are prepped, your dermatologist will apply the peel quickly and evenly. She will watch your skin carefully to remove the peel at just the right time. With a deep peel, the skin is treated one small section at a time. This limits the effects on the heart and lungs.
After the peel comes off, your skin will be treated as needed. Patients who get a medium peel may need cool compresses followed by a lotion or cream to soothe their skin.

Types of Chemical Peels

Light Peel

Light chemical peels are noninvasive, and gently exfoliate the outer layers of dead skin, reducing the appearance of skin imperfections to reveal smooth, healthy skin. These peels stimulate production of collagen and elastin, that support structure of the skin.

  • Healing time: 1 to 7 days. Skin will be red. After the redness disappears, scaling may develop, which lasts 2 to 7 days.
  • At-home care: Lotion or cream applied until the skin heals, followed by daily use of sunscreen.
  • When to wear makeup: Usually immediately after the peel, but sometimes the next day.
  • Follow-up visit: No. However, 2 to 5 peels may be necessary to give you the desired results. These peels may be repeated every 2 to 5 weeks.

Medium Peel

Medium peels commonly contain glycolic or trichloracetic acid (TCA) that penetrates the outer and middle layers of the skin. These peels are anti-aging, improve the appearance of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles and skin discoloration, and they can treat actinic keratosis or precancerous skin growths.

Jessner’s + TCA Peel

This combination peel provides enhanced exfoliation. It effectively removes moderate to severe sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, actinic keratosis and mild acne scars. There will be moderate flaking, peeling and redness which requires 7-10 days, downtime. This peel removes the surface layers of skin, and reveals firmer, and smoother skin.

  • Healing time: 7 to 14 days. Skin will be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for 48 hours. Eyelids may swell. Blisters can form and break open. Skin crusts and peels off in 7 to 14 days.
  • At-home care: Daily soaks for a specified period. Apply ointment after each soak. Take an antiviral medication for 10 to 14 days. Apply lotion or cream. Total avoidance of the sun until skin heals.
  • When to wear makeup:After 5 to 7 days, you can wear camouflaging makeup.
  • Follow-up visit: Yes. Follow-up visit required after the procedure.

Deep Peel

Healing time:14 to 21 days. Area will be bandaged.
At-home care:4 to 6 daily soaks while healing. For 14 days, apply ointment after each soak.After 14 days, apply thick moisturizer as directed. Take an antiviral medication for 10 to 14 days. Total sun avoidance for 2 to 6 months.

  • When to wear makeup:At least 14 days before you can apply makeup.
  • Follow-up visit:Yes. The next day, the dermatologist will want to see you. Several follow-up visits are required during the first week.
  • Use the moisturizer as directed to keep your skin moist and supple.If your skin dries and cracks, it can scar.
  • If your skin burns, itches, or swells, contact your dermatologist.Rubbing or scratching skin treated with a chemical peel can cause an infection.
  • Do not use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning.Your skin will not heal properly.
  • After your skin heals, apply sunscreen every day.This will help you maintain results.

Is There Downtime?

After a medium or deep peel, you will have downtime. A deep chemical peel requires recuperation at home for 2 to 2 weeks.

When Will I See The Results?

Once your skin heals, you will see the results. Healing time ranges from 1 day for a refreshing or lunchtime peel to 14 days or longer for a deep peel. To get the results you seek from a refreshing peel or lunchtime peel, you may need to have 2 to 5 peels.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

In the hands of a doctor who has experience with chemical peels, side effects tend to be mild. Some patients develop:

  • Persistent redness that may last for months.
  • Temporary darkening of the skin.
  • Lighter skin color (medium and deep peels).
  • Scarring (very rare when peel performed by a dermatologist).