Read - Chemical Peel

Chemical peels,
 also known as chemexfoliation or derma-peeling, are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which causes it to "blister" and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin also is temporarily more sensitive to the sun.

What Conditions Do a Chemical Peel Treat?
Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck or hands. They can be used to:

    * Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
    * Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors
    * Improve the appearance of mild scarring
    * Treat certain types of acne
    * Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills (melasma)
    * Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color
    * Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots, may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.
    * However, sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each individual case.

Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are ideal candidates for chemical peels. Darker skin types may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated.

What skin conditions can a Chemical Facial Peel improve? A chemical face peel can improve a variety of skin conditions, such as fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, shallow acne scars, sun damaged skin, age spots, and freckling. Although, following any chemical facial peel, it is important you avoid any exposure to the sun.

How Are Chemical Peels Performed?
A chemical peel can be performed in a doctor's office or in a surgery center as an outpatient procedure.

The skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent that removes excess oils and the eyes and hair are protected. One or more chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or carbolic acid (phenol), are applied to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound, enabling new, regenerated skin to appear.

There are many home chemical peels offered in a several step system. Home chemical peels are convenient, and can help combat dull lifeless skin.

Preparing for a Chemical Peel
Prior to the chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin with topical preconditioning medications such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. After the chemical peel, it's important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

If you have been prescribed oral antibiotics or an oral antiviral medicine, you should begin taking those as directed. Typically, the oral antibiotics are prescribed depending on the depth of the chemical peel.

Remember to ask your doctor if you need to have someone drive you home.

What to Expect During The Procedure
During the procedure, most patients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Cool compresses may be applied to help alleviate this stinging. A deeper peel may require pain medication during or after the procedure.

What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs fo