Chemical Peels

An Overview

It might not have the most pleasant sounding name in the world, but a facial chemical peel is a safe, commonly used method of treating acne, age spots, brown spots, large pores, fine wrinkles, bags under the eyes, and uneven skin pigmentation. The traditional chemical face peel procedure involves the application of a chemical solution designed to smooth and exfoliate skin while removing its damaged outer layer. The formula for this solution changes depending on your skin, but usually involves a combination of different types of trichloroacetic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and sometimes phenol.

Many of the compounds used in chemical peels are found in nature, such as Glycolic acid (of the alpha-hyrdroxy family), which is derived from certain fruits and plants. It assists in the skin treatment by stimulating new collagen and skin growth while allowing dead skin cells to fall off naturally. Salicylic acid, a simple organic fruit compound, is an effective acne scar chemical peel and also works for oily and acne prone skin, by increasing cell turnover. Mandelic acid, meanwhile, is an extract from bitter almonds, and is often used in a chemical peel for uneven skin tones and or patients with pigmentation problems.

Most chemical peels take only 10-15 minutes to perform, and the majority of patients report only a mild stinging from the chemical solution. With less the invasive chemical peels mentioned above, the recovery time is quick, with most redness and dryness subsiding within a week's time. There are chemical peels that require much more downtime because of the blistering that occurs after treatment.

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How Long Does this Procedure Take?

Most chemical peels take as little as 30 minutes to perform, however some can take up to an hour.

Chemical Peels Side Effects:

When you think of chemical peels, you may be reminded of Miranda's ufortunate experience on that Sex and the City episode. She likely had a phenol peel, which is regarded by many experts as the most invasive peel on the market. Overall, most chemical peels cause minor redness, peeling and itching; however, blistering is not uncommon when treating stubborn age spots, sun spots, and severe acne. Your skin specialist will let you know exactly what to expect from your chemical peel treatment.

Length of Chemical Peels Results:

You will need to have a number of treatments (usually a minimum of 3) to see lasting and noticeable results. Of course chemical peels can't stop the natural aging process, but if you adhere to the prescribed number of treatments, you can notice long lasting to permanent results in the area that was treated.

Chemical Peels Recovery Time:

Most chemical peels don't require recovery time; however the redness and peeling may make you want to stay inside for a day or two. That's why most people have a chemical peel on a Friday so that they have the weekend to recover. For more invasive chemical peels, you may need up to two weeks to be able to apply makeup and feel comfortable in public.

Typical Minimum Cost:

$400 - $900

Typical Maximum Cost:

$1200 - $2700

Average Cost of Chemical Peels:

The average price of chemical peels can range from as low as $50 (light chemical peel) to as much as $6000 (deeper peels such as phenol formulations).

Chemical Peels can be Combined with:

• BOTOX Cosmetic®
• Restylane
• Radiance/Radiesse
• Titan® for Skin Tightening

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