Chemical Skin Peel

Chemical skin peels are medicines applied to the skin which accomplish a number of goals in skin rejuvenation.
Chemical peels are used to remove surface dead skin, oils and contaminants, and by doing so, stimulate the production of new collagen-enriched skin. The new skin layers are tighter and less wrinkled, smoother, richer and of a better texture.
There are three levels of chemical skin peels: superficial, medium, and deep. These chemical peels have varying levels of strength to penetrate though the skin to rejuvenate and enhance facial skin tone, texture and smoothness.

Chemical Skin Peel Applications

• Acne or acne scars
• Age spots
• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Freckles
• Uneven skin pigmentation
• Rough Skin and Dry/Scaly Patches
• Sun Damage
• Remove superficial blemishes

Superficial Skin Peels
Superficial skin peels target only the outer layers of the skin and can be used on all skin types. This type of peel is idea for removing dry skin, reducing the appearance of uneven skin pigmentation, improve acne scars, diminish fine lines and wrinkles and to correct mild sun damage. These peels give the skin a nice healthy tone. Glycolic acid is most commonly used in this type of skin peel. Generally, multiple superficial peels are needed to maintain the effects of healthy, glowing skin; it may even take some time before the effects of the initial peel can be seen. However, after repeated peels, significant improvement in the appearance of the skin can be noticed.

Superficial peels are often called “lunchtime peels” because owing to the surface nature of the peel, there is little obvious skin wounding and the procedure can be done rather quickly and easily. Superficial peels can be repeated over the course of a year.

Medium Skin Peels
The most common type of medium skin peel uses TCA (trichloracetic acid). Jessner and combined TCA-Jessner peels are other types. The medicine used with these peels is much stronger than a superficial skin peel. One will notice that the skin will appear red and crusted and will peel off in a day or two and then the skin begins the process of resurfacing and collagen production. Medium skin peels work to reduce the appearance of blotchy pigmentation, freckles and sunspots, improve skin texture, and diminish fine wrinkles and acne scars. A medium skin peel is not meant to treat deeper wrinkles. The procedure needs less repetition than the superficial variety.

Deep Skin Peels
Phenol peels are the strongest type of chemical peel; it is used to treat deep wrinkles from sun exposure, aging or smoking. It works particularly well on the upper lip skin, lower eyelid skin and can be applied to the whole face. The procedure can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending upon the areas treated.

Phenol peels have incredibly good results. They do however require the most attention and cannot be done without sedation anesthesia and operative monitoring.

What Should You Expect after a Chemical Skin Peel?
Following a chemical skin peel, one may experience some redness, tingling and swelling. For deeper skin peels, it is common for the treated area to start scaling in about three to seven days. It is advised that one avoids the sun, or uses sun protection factor after a chemical skin peel.

Dr. Mazzara has extensive experience in the application of these agents, and will provide to you a detailed explanation of the types of peels as they apply to your skin as well as all of the risks, benefits and expected outcomes. Give Dr. Mazzara a call - you will certainly be informed.