What To Know About Chemical Peel Happens >What do you know about chemical peel? A chemical peel is a skin treatment that uses a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of skin. The solution usually contains some type of acid and might be applied to the face, neck, or hands. The exact chemicals used in chemical peels vary by doctor, but common ones include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

Chemical peels can be used to treat acne scars, sun damage and age spots, wrinkles and fine lines, uneven skin tone (hyperpigmentation), and enlarged pores. They can also help with conditions like melasma (dark patches on the face), psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory conditions of the skin.

Chemical peeling is quite a common procedure nowadays wherein, the outermost layer of the skin one is suffering from blemishes are removed with the help of an acid based solution. Most commonly, this chemical peeling happens upon the advice of a dermatologist after they have conducted some test and answered certain queries you might have been having on your mind. Read on to learn more
Chemical Peel Side Effects/Chemical Peeling Treatment.

What To Know About Chemical Peel Happens

The very first chemical peel dates back to Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt, who used sour milk as part of her beauty routine. These days, lactic acid peels are a bit more refined – and there are several different acids used to exfoliate and perfect your skin. At Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT, we know that chemical peels can easily be integrated as part of your regular skin maintenance to manage specific aesthetic concerns.

What Happens During a Chemical Peel?

The process for a peel is not unlike a facial. You will need to arrive at your appointment with clean skin, meaning no make-up or skincare products on your face. The first step of your treatment will be to gently cleanse your skin to remove any excess dirt or oil. Then, one of our skin experts will apply the chemical serum to your skin for several minutes.

Once the chemical agent has soaked on your skin, it will then be removed with a neutralizing agent. Some peels are finished off with hydrating serums or gentle moisturizers. Overall, your treatment will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, making a chemical peel an ideal treatment for any time of the day no matter how busy you are.

What Should You Do Before a Peel?

A peel strips your skin of oil and bacteria, as well as sloughs off dead skin cells. Because even a light peel is slightly aggressive, it’s important for you to prepare for your treatment in order to get optimal results. For about one to two weeks before your appointment, you will be asked to avoid direct unprotected sunlight. You may also be asked to temporarily stop using chemical exfoliants, including acids that are part of your skincare routine and retinols.

What Should You Do After Your Peel?

After your peel, your skin will be vulnerable since new skin cells will be exposed to the environment for the first time. There are two cardinal rules you must follow after a peel. The first is to shield your skin from UV rays by wearing broad spectrum sunscreen during the daytime. Usually SPF 30 or higher is adequate protection for most people, although people who burn easily or have sensitive skin may want to use higher grades of sun protection.

The second rule will be to keep your skin hydrated. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you should also be sure to use a gentle moisturizer throughout the day and night. Using a gentle cleanser, washing with tepid water, and avoiding excessive heat will also help your skin retain moisture.

What Is Recovery Like?

The recovery time following a peel will be dependent on the strength of the peel. For a light peel, the recovery time will be around two to three days, which is when it’s most important to avoid heat and sunlight. For a medium peel, the recovery time could be as long as a week. Your provider will let you know what to expect based on the strength of your peel.

Is There Always Visible Peeling?

Many people assume that a chemical peel means your skin after the treatment will peel off. But this isn’t always the case and you shouldn’t judge the success of your treatment based on whether or not you experience any peeling. Factors such as your skin type, the exact chemical used, and the strength of the peel will determine whether or not you see any visible peeling. People who regularly use light peels may not see any visible peeling at all.

How Frequently Should You Have a Peel?

The frequency of your chemical peel treatment will generally be set by your aesthetic goals and the strength of your peels, as well as the sensitivity of your skin. For example, it’s common to use light peels once a month to manage concerns like even skin tone and acne, but people who have sensitive skin may need to space treatments six weeks apart for better results.

Medium peels, on the other hand, can be done a few times a year. Deep peels may only be necessary once every few years. Your skin expert will guide you toward the frequency that will work best for your goals.

How Long Will Your Results Last?

The result of your peel may last for several weeks or several months depending on the strength of your treatment. The results of a light peel may last for one month, while the results of a medium peel may last for two or three months. A deep peel may produce results that last for 12 months or longer. Usually, the longevity of your results will serve as a guidepost for how frequently you should have treatments.

How Soon Will You See Results?

Most people use peel treatments regularly to maintain the health and appearance of the skin. In general, you will see visible results from your peel after a single treatment. Continued treatments will gradually improve and maintain your skin. You should be able to see most visible results within one week of your treatment.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for this treatment include most people, regardless of skin tone and skin type. Because peels can be very gentle on the skin, they are generally compatible for most needs. As long as your skin is healthy within two weeks of your appointment, you should be considered an eligible patient.

Chemical peel treatments are ideal for people who have mild to moderate skin concerns, as well as people who are interested in using this treatment to regulate the appearance of the skin. You may be an ideal match for this treatment if you want to correct:

Redness
Uneven tone
Dryness
Acne
Enlarged pores
Oily skin
Shallow scars
Sun damage
Dark spots
Fine lines
And more

What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?

In addition to chemical peels being extremely compatible treatments that can easily perfect the superficial appearance of the skin, there are several reasons why you may want to consider this treatment. For example, the treatment process itself is very simple and can easily fit into even the busiest schedule. Other benefits for this treatment include:

1. Better Product Absorption

This treatment is primarily used to exfoliate the skin. Without dead skin cells creating a barrier on your skin, skincare products will have better absorption and will work more effectively. As your products will more easily be able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin, you will have improved results. Incorporating a peel as part of your monthly beauty routine will enhance the results of other treatments and at-home skincare routines.

2. Improve Exfoliation

Exfoliation is good for our skin. The natural skin cell turnover cycle typically helps us shed dead skin cells. However, this process is imperfect and a build-up of dead skin cells may make your skin appear dull, tired, or even contribute to acne breakouts. By improving the exfoliation of your skin, you will improve the health, tone, and texture of your skin.

3. Reduce Dark Spots

Dark spots are often the product of sun damage or hormonal fluctuations that trigger melanin production in the skin. Dark spots can make people look and feel much older than they are. Unfortunately, treating hyperpigmentation can be challenging when your only tool is topical creams and serums. However, with a peel, you can easily slough away darker patches of skin cells to create a more perfect skin tone.

Melasma, in particular, may not be able to be treated with normal dermatology treatments. Because melasma is controlled by hormones, it tends to reach deeper layers of skin. With a peel, you can gradually shed these darker skin cells and improve the tone of your skin.

4. Diminish Fine Lines

You may not think it at first, but a peel can even soften the appearance of fine lines on the face. A light peel, for example, can remove surface skin cells that cause the creases in the face to look deeper, while a medium peel may stimulate collagen production that will reduce fine lines. Of course, a deep peel is most effective for this type of age-related concern, particularly for deeper wrinkles.

5. Minimize Acne and Acne Scars

Acne is caused by a combination of high oil production and dead skin cells trapping bacteria against the skin. A light peel is usually an adequate way to manage mild to moderate acne breakouts, since the chemical agent in the peel will destroy acne-causing bacteria. Many people who have acne-prone skin are fond of using light peels to manage acne.

Peels can also be used to address acne scarring, both pigmented and textural. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation leaves red or pink patches on the skin that can take months to heal by themselves. Acne can also permanently enlarge pores or create divots in the skin that can only be treated by increasing collagen production within the sub-dermal layers of skin.

6. Low Risk

Peel treatments are very low risk. Because a peel is only applied topically and because the type of acid used for your peel will be matched to your skin type and tone, the vast majority of people will not need to be concerned about any risks associated with this treatment. This treatment is non-invasive, non-surgical, and will not leave any bruising or scarring on the face.

7. Easily Combined

This treatment is also easily combined with other aesthetic treatments. For example, you can use a peel with a dermal filler because each of these treatments addresses a different part of the skin. If you are interested in combining treatments in your treatment plan please let’s know so we can customize your treatment plan to your unique needs.

8. Easily Customized

There are several chemical agents and acids that are used to complete a peel treatment, and each of these chemicals can be customized to meet your aesthetic needs. It’s not uncommon to create a unique blend of peels for your aesthetic concerns. Some patients like to alternate different chemical agents to produce the desired skin results, while other patients may mix and match acids in the same treatment.

Chemical Peel Side Effects

Our skin goes through a lot daily. Right from facing harsh external factors like dust, dirt and pollution to internal factors like acne, effects of ageing and other various elements. We all wish to have youthful and glowing skin irrespective of our age and other factors! But is it possible? Definitely!

Nishtha Wellness offers a simple solution that will help you achieve glowing, radiant and youthful looking skin with the help of Chemical Peels that target the problem areas and help you achieve the skin of your dreams, that too without an extensive surgery or heavy procedures.

Quick Links

What Are Chemical Peels?
What To Expect At The Consultation With Dr Hiren Bhatt?
What To Expect Before Beginning The Procedure Of Chemical Peels?
How Do The Chemicals In The Chemical Peels Act?
What Are The Types Of Chemical Peels?
What Is The Procedure Involved For Chemical Peels?
What Are The Number of Sessions Needed for Chemical Peels?
What Is The Recovery Like After Chemical Peels?

What Are Chemical Peels?

As the name suggests, chemical peels involve the use of chemicals on the skin. The application of the chemical on the skin produces controlled and invisible removal of the outer dead skin layer. The chemicals are called peeling agents.

Chemical peels are mainly made of fruit acids and other skin friendly substances in a very concentrated form. Peeling also leads to removal of uneven complexion, suppresses melanin which results in darkening of skin and also leads to tightening of underlying fibers. These qualities of the chemical are used to treat:

Acne and acne scars
Dullness of skin
Fine wrinkles on face especially around and under the eye and mouth.
Uneven skin pigmentation.
Sun-damaged skin.

What To Expect At The Consultation With Dr Hiren Bhatt?

At Nishtha Wellness, Vadodara consultation is of utmost importance before diving into any procedure. During a consultation with Dr Hiren Bhatt, our expert Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon makes sure that he understands the needs and requirements of the patients.

He guides them through the entire procedure and explains everything in detail. This helps the patients in making an informed decision regarding the procedure.

He also urges his patients to ask as many questions as they want to achieve complete clarity. Nishtha Wellness, Vadodara strongly believes in transparency and hence we explain everything related to the procedure including the achievable result.

A consultation can be a vital moment before any procedure as the patient can analyze his or her comfort level with the doctor and understand all the aspects which entail the procedure.

What To Expect Before Beginning The Procedure Of Chemical Peels?

Before beginning the treatment, Dr Hiren Bhatt will make sure that he knows your entire medical history. This is necessary to have a smooth procedure.

Also, any pertaining allergies must be told to the doctor before the procedure itself. Some pictures might be taken in order to analyze the result after the procedure.

He guides them through the entire procedure and explains everything in detail. This helps the patients in making an informed decision regarding the procedure.

A consultation can be a vital moment before any procedure as the patient can analyze his or her comfort level with the doctor and understand all the aspects which entail the procedure.

How Do The Chemicals In The Chemical Peels Act?

The chemicals are derived from fruits and milk. They induce the removal of the outer dead layer of the cell. It also aids in collagen production which further promotes improving the laxity of the skin and making it look even more youthful and taut. The skin, as a result of these chemicals, looks younger, glowing and firmer.

A chemical peel is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of your skin. The result of the chemical peel treatment depends upon which type of chemical and technique used.

What Are The Types Of Chemical Peels?

Though there are several agents available, mainly one of the following will be used at Nishtha Wellness, Vadodara.

Alpha Hydroxy acids:

Alpha Hydroxy acids, also known as AHA’s are actually fruit acids. Amongst AHA’s Glycolic acid is the most commonly used.

Glycolic acid is the gold standard in chemical peel formulations. Its exfoliation properties work wonders on the patient’s skin. Glycolic Peel is tremendously useful for its proven ability to transform the health and appearance of a multitude of skin types.

It is mainly used to treat:

Fine wrinkles.
Uneven pigmentation
Rough dark skin due to excessive sun exposure
Acne
Freckles and other age spots

Beta Hydroxy acids:

In Beta Hydroxy acids or BHA’s, salicylic acid is the most commonly used agent. The use remains more or less the same as alpha hydroxy acids but gives excellent results for acne and acne scars.

Phenol

Phenol peels are actually quite strong and work excellently at the deeper levels of the skin. Although chemical peels do not require anesthesia, due to its strong properties and deep penetration, phenol does require anesthesia. Due to its nature, it is generally inadvisable for individuals with dark or deep skin tone people as it might result in bad scarring and pigmentation changes.

Peels are then classified according to the issues targeted. They are as follows:

Management Peel

It targets current breakouts and past marks as well as prevents future breakouts. It uses cleansing by antimicrobials followed by skin treatment with anti-acne medicines, BHA. It is followed by therapy to improve hydration of the skin. A soothing mask is applied at the end.

2.Detanning Peel

This targets the uneven complexion that is a result of prolonged sun exposure. A preliminary cleansing is followed by AHA peel. A soothing mask is applied at the end.

3.Anti-aging Peels

It takes care of fine wrinkles and provides fresh glowing younger looking skin. After cleansing, skin is treated with mild AHA. This will lead to an invisible peeling effect. A soothing mask at the end helps to control any discomfort which might occur.

4. Maintenance Program

As the name suggests, it is for regular skin management. The skin is cleansed and treated with polishing. The treatment is followed by Vitamin C therapy which improves glow and clears complexion irregularities.

5. Advanced Skin Peeling

The advanced skin peeling takes care of wrinkles, dullness, complexion irregularities and skin laxity.. Skin will be glowing, uniformly fair, tight and free from fine wrinkles.

What Is The Procedure Involved For Chemical Peels?

Chemical peel treatment is an outpatient procedure. Before getting skin peel treatment, some people need to follow an instructed precaution of 2 to 4 weeks, which leads to better results.

No anesthetic is required for the procedure as it is a non-invasive procedure.

The skin will first be cleansed to remove any makeup, dust particles and oil from the face. The selected chemical is then applied for 3 to 7 minutes. The peel will be neutralized by distilled water or a specific neutralizer.

Once the peel is applied, you will notice a slight burning sensation on the skin. This may increase with the duration of the peel. Towards the end, the burning sensation will start decreasing. Once the peel is neutralized, you will be advised to apply ice packs.

Despite the slightly scary sounding name — chemical and peel don’t exactly sound like what you might want on your face — chemical peels are actually one of the best treatments you can undergo to treat stubborn acne scars.

In case you’re not convinced by the incredible before-and-after photos of chemical peel clients, this guide exists to get you on the glowy-skin bandwagon. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about chemical peels for acne scars.

What do chemical peels do?

Fun fact: Chemical peels do involve chemicals, but they don’t really involve peeling of skin. Instead, chemical peels consist of a solution that deeply exfoliates the outer layer of your skin. This causes the dead skin cells on your top layer of skin to rapidly shed, revealing the new, smooth layer underneath. On top of the exfoliation, chemical peels induce new collagen production, an important protein that makes up about 75% of your skin and keeps it looking young, tight, and fresh.

How do chemical peels work for acne scars?

Chemical peels reduce the appearance of acne scars by reducing overall hyperpigmentation, or areas of your skin with deeper or darker color. Chemical peels also smooth the outer surface of your skin, reducing any bumpy textures.

The exact mechanism of a chemical peel on your acne scars depends on the severity of your scarring, as well as the type of scarring. There are two types of acne scars: atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic acne scars are indented or depressed, while hypertrophic acne scars are raised.

Chemical peels are better at treating atrophic scars than hypertrophic scars, though a professionally administered series of chemical peels can potentially eliminate both types. Hyperpigmentation, while technically not a form of scarring, is the easiest form of post-acne skin trauma to treat with chemical peels.

What to expect during and after a chemical peel

At Rochester Laser Center, our aestheticians use SkinCeuticals chemical peels, which they customize based on your particular skin situation. Depending on the severity of your acne scars, your Rochester Laser Center aesthetician may recommend a light or mild chemical peel. Deep chemical peels generally aren’t recommended for acne scars.

At your appointment, you lie comfortably in a beauty chair while your aesthetician performs the chemical peel. Your aesthetician cleans your face and protects your eyes and hair. Then, the chemical peel solution is brushed onto your face. You may experience a tingling sensation and coldness. If your peel is more intense, you may feel a slight burning sensation, kind of like the way Icy Hot® feels when you apply it to sore muscles.

What happens after your chemical peel depends on the type of peel you received, plus your skin’s individual tolerance to it. Some patients experience redness and sensitivity, while others feel just fine. You may need a few days of downtime where you don’t get any direct sun exposure and you limit exercise. Don’t worry: Your aesthetician makes sure you leave the clinic feeling confident about how to take care of your skin after a chemical peel.

Chemical Peeling Treatment

Chemical peel facts
A chemical peel damages the skin in a controlled manner, producing a superficial wound.
As the natural healing process repairs the damage, the skin’s appearance is improved.
The nature of the chemicals applied to the skin determines the depth at which the damage occurs.
The type of chemical peel used depends on the nature of the skin problem to be treated.
Skin problems that respond best to chemical peels are due to chronic sun damage from ultraviolet light.
Since most skin peels damage the skin, there is a period of recuperation necessary.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, which include scarring, infection, and undesirable color changes.
Currently, dermatologists often use chemical peels in conjunction with other destructive techniques like laser to diminish the signs of sun damage or acne scarring.

Potential Side Effect of Chemical Peels
Reactivation of Cold Sores
After infection, the virus enters the nerve cells and travels up the nerve until it comes to a place called a ganglion. There, it resides quietly in a stage that is referred to as “dormant” or “latent.” At times, the virus can become active and start replicating again and travel down the nerve to the skin, causing sore outbreaks. The exact mechanism behind this is not clear, but it is known that some conditions seem to trigger recurrences, including

a fever, a cold, or the flu;
UV rays (sun exposure or a sunburn);
emotional or physical stress (such as an illness or surgery);
weakening of the immune system;
trauma to the involved area such as dental work; and
sometimes there is no apparent cause of the recurrence.
Read more about cold sores (oral herpes) »

What is a chemical peel?
A chemical peel involves the application of toxic chemical solutions to the skin in a controlled manner, producing controlled tissue death. The desired depth of the wound is dependent upon the condition to be treated. After the peel, the skin regenerates. The damaged skin regenerates from deeper layers of the epidermis and from the superficial dermis.

What are the different types of chemical peels?
Chemical peels are broadly defined by the depth of damage in the skin that they produce. They are categorized as superficial (lunchtime peel), medium, and deep. Superficial peels do not damage skin below the epidermis, the most superficial skin layer. Medium peels may reach to the superficial layer of the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Deep peels generally reach the deeper layers of the dermis. The depth of damage depends on the nature and concentration of the chemicals in the peeling solution and the length of time they are permitted to interact with the skin. Popular chemicals in peeling solutions include retinoids (tretinoin dissolved in propylene glycol), alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic acid and glycolic acid), beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), trichloroacetic acid, and phenol (carbolic acid). Jessner’s solution, a combination of resorcinol (14 g), salicylic acid (14 g), and lactic acid (85%) in ethanol (95%).

QUESTION
An average adult has about __ square feet of skin.
See Answer

What are the benefits of chemical peels?
If performed correctly in appropriate patients, the appearance of the treated skin will have a more youthful texture with a uniform coloration that will blend with their untreated skin.

Are at-home or over-the-counter chemical peels as effective as professional chemical peels?
As a rule, so-called over-the-counter peels do not damage the skin and therefore cannot produce the same sort of results that a peel performed by a physician is likely to achieve. On the other hand, they are safe products and are unlikely to produce any skin damage. The so-called “microdermabrasion” is similarly non-invasive.

Who is a good candidate for a chemical peel?
The most common candidate for a chemical peel is a person with sun-damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, and/or actinic keratoses. Sun damage results in fine wrinkling, skin thinning, sun spots (liver spots or solar lentigines, fine lines, freckles, age spots), and a precursor to skin cancers called actinic keratoses. Skin peels also treat acne scarring.

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Who should not get a chemical peel?
Individuals with darkly pigmented skin should be very cautious about having chemical peels. This is because there is a significant chance that the pigmentation of the newly healed skin will be substantially different from their current skin color.

What are risks, side effects, and dangers of chemical peels?
The risks, side effects, and complications of chemical peels include scarring, infection, reactivation of herpes simplex infections, and a substantial contrast in coloration of the treated skin. All patients will have a recuperation period, the length of which depends upon the depth of the peel. Deep peels can result in substantial periods of healing on the order of weeks. Deep peels generally require extensive local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and occasionally general anesthesia, which carries its own risks.

A chemical peel is solution applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. The aim is to improve the appearance of the skin – for example, by reducing age spots and evening out skin tone. There are 3 types of peels, called superficial, medium and deep.

chemical peels are used to remove damaged skin cells, revealing healthier skin underneath
there are different types of peels: light, medium, and deep

Safety:

when conducted by a board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, licensed healthcare provider, or trained skin care specialist, chemical peels are exceptionally safe
it’s essential to follow your provider’s postop instructions carefully

Convenience:

light chemical peels do not require much down time
medium and deep chemical peels can require two to three weeks of recovery time
the procedures can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes

Cost:

the cost of chemical peels depends on the type of peel you get
the average cost of a chemical peel is $673

What are chemical peels?

Chemical peels are cosmetic treatments that can be applied to the face, hands, and neck. They’re used to improve the appearance or feel of the skin. During this procedure, chemical solutions will be applied to the area being treated, which causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel off. Once this happens, the new skin underneath is often smoother, appears less wrinkled, and may have less damage.

There are a number of reasons people may get chemical peels. They may be trying to treat a variety of things, including:

wrinkles and fine lines
sun damage
acne scars
hyperpigmentation
scars
melasma
uneven skin tone or redness

What type of chemical peels can I get?

There are three different types of chemical peels that you can get. These include:

Superficial peels, which use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin.
Medium peels, which use trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells.
Deep peels, which fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or tricholoracetic acid.

How much do chemical peels cost?

Chemical peels are almost always considered a cosmetic procedure, and insurance rarely covers it. You’ll be paying for the procedure out of pocket. Your initial consultation visit, however, may be covered by insurance.

The cost of the procedure will vary depending on factors like location, expertise of the provider, and what type of peel you want to get. Light peels can cost as low as $150, and deep peels can cost $3,000 or more (specifically if it requires anesthesia, or in-patient stays). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the current average cost of a chemical peel is $673.

How is a chemical peel done?

Chemical peels are typically done in-office; deep peels may be done in an outpatient surgical facility. Before the procedure, they will likely have you tie back your hair. Your face will be cleaned, and eye protection like goggles or gauze may be applied.

Your doctor may numb the area with a topical anesthetic, especially if you’re receiving a deep peel. For deep peels, your doctor may also use a regional anesthetic, which will numb large areas. They are particularly likely to do this if you’re having your face and neck treated. For deep peels, you’ll also be given an IV, and your heart rate will be closely monitored.

Light peel

During a light peel a cotton ball, gauze, or brush will be used to apply a chemical solution like salicylic acid to the area being treated. The skin will start to whiten, and may have a slight stinging sensation. Once complete, the chemical solution will be removed or a neutralizing solution will be added.

Medium peel

During a medium chemical peel, your doctor will use a gauze, special sponge, or a cotton-tipped applicator to apply the chemical solution to your face. This may contain glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid. A blue color may be added to the trichloroacetic acid, commonly known as a blue peel. The skin will begin to whiten, and your doctor will apply a cool compress to the skin. You may feel stinging or burning for up to 20 minutes. No neutralizing solution is needed, though they may give you a hand-held fan to cool your skin. If you’ve had the blue peel you will have a blue coloring of your skin that may last for several days after the peel.

Deep peel

During a deep chemical peel, you will be sedated. The doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply phenol to your skin. This will turn your skin white or gray. The procedure will be done in 15-minute portions, to limit the skin exposure to the acid.

How do you prepare for a chemical peel?

Before your procedure, you’ll first have a consultation with the skin care specialist. During this visit, they’ll help you determine what the best treatment option is for you. They’ll let you know the details about the specific peel you’ll be getting, and they’ll ask about anything that could interfere with the peel. This may include whether you’ve taken acne medication, and information about whether or not you scar easily.

Before a chemical peel, you must:

not use any type of retinol or retin-A topical medication for at least 48 hours
inform your skin care specialist about any medications you take
not have been on Accutane for at least six months

Your doctor may also recommend that you:

take an antiviral medication if you have a history of fever blisters or cold sores to prevent a breakout around the mouth
use special lotions to improve treatment, like glycolic acid lotion
use a retinoid cream to prevent skin darkening
stop waxing, epilating, or using depilatory hair removal products the week before the peel. You should also avoid hair bleaching.
stop using facial scrubs and exfoliants the week before the peel.
arrange for a ride home, especially for medium or deep chemical peels, which will require you to be sedated.

If your doctor prescribes a painkiller or sedative, take it according to their instructions; you’ll likely have to take it before you come to the office.

What are the risks and possible side effects of a chemical peel?

Common side effects are temporary, and include redness, dryness, stinging or burning, and slight swelling. With deep peels, you may permanently lose the ability to tan.

Chemical peels can, however, have more serious risks and dangerous side effects that can be permanent. These include:

Darkening or lightening of the skin color. These can be more common in people with darker skin.
Scarring. This can be permanent.
Infections. People with herpes simplex may experience flares following a treatment. Very rarely, chemical peels can cause fungal or bacterial infections.
Heart, liver, or kidney damage. The phenol used in deep peels can actually damage the heart muscle, kidneys, and liver, and cause irregular heartbeats.

What to expect after

Recovery time varies depending on which chemical peel you received.

Light chemical peels

Recovery time is about four to seven days. Your skin may temporarily be lighter or darker.

Medium chemical peels

Your skin will recover about five to seven days after a medium chemical peel, though you may have redness that persists for months. Your skin will initially swell, and then form crusts and brown blotches before revealing new skin.

Deep chemical peels

Deep chemical peels will cause severe swelling and redness, with burning or throbbing sensations. It’s common for the eyelids to swell shut. It will take about two weeks for the new skin to develop, though white spots or cysts may last several weeks. It’s common for redness to last for several months.

During recovery, follow your doctor’s postop instructions faithfully. They’ll give you specific instructions for how often to wash your face and moisturize, and which products you should use to do so. Try to stay out of the sun until your skin has healed, and avoid using makeup or other cosmetics until your doctor gives you the go-ahead. You can use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, or a cool fan, to help relieve discomfort at home.

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