Chemical Peels Can Restore Youthful Glow to Skin
Treatment Reduces Scarring, Wrinkles, and other Signs of Aging
Sep 24, 2009
Chemical peels improve the appearance of skin that has sun damage, superficial wrinkles, acne scarring, blotches and other signs of aging.
What is a Chemical Peel?
There are three basic types of chemical peels: superficial peels, medium peels, and deep peels. The physician will determine which type is appropriate for the patient’s needs depending on the amount of skin damage that exists.
For patients with sensitive skin or a low tolerance to pain, physicians may first apply a topical anesthetic which is a cream that temporarily numbs the treatment area.
During the actual chemical peel procedure, a physician applies an acid to the skin, usually the face or neck region, which causes the top layers of skin to slough off and reveal the new skin that lies underneath. As a result the skin appears smoother and more youthful because the dead skin and superficial wrinkles have been eliminated.
Most chemical peels take less than an hour to perform including the time it takes for any local anesthetic to begin working. After a deep chemical peel, the physician may apply a cream or waterproof tape to the patient’s face. They may also prescribe a mild pain reliever to help with the stinging that results from these types of peels.
The Side Effects of Chemical Peels
Patients that undergo a superficial or medium chemical peel will experience very few side effects other than slight redness for approximately a day or two following treatment. Although results are seen almost immediately following a chemical peel, it may take several sessions before a patient is satisfied with the results. This is especially true for patients with excessive acne scarring or excessive sun damage.
Patients that undergo deep chemical peels can expect more extensive side effects such as: severe stinging, redness, irritation, swelling and crusting of the skin. For all types of chemical peels, patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen daily for several months following the treatment. Although the healing time takes longer for a deep peel, the results are far more impressive than those of the less powerful peels.
The Cost of Chemical Peels
Although prices vary greatly depending on where the patient lives on whether it is a superficial, medium or deep peel, here are some general price ranges for the various types of chemical peels: Light peel $150 and $300; medium peel $1000 to $2000; deep peel $2500 to $6000.
Although over-the-counter products for chemical peels are available at a very low cost, these products do not go deep enough to make a difference in the smoothness of the skin. In order to see real, lasting results, facial peels should be performed in a medical setting under a licensed physician. To find a physician who performs chemical peels, go to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.
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