What Is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a very popular, noninvasive cosmetic procedure that stimulates the growth of new and healthy skin cells and improves skin clarity, with minimal to no downtime.
It can also allow skin care products to penetrate the lower layers of your skin for greater effectiveness and remove:
- Blemishes
- Sun damage
- Other flaws
Chemical Peel Risks
Risks can include:
- Temporary sensitivity to the sun
- Temporary redness and flaking of the skin
- Color imbalances
- Infection
Not every person is a candidate for this procedure, and your risks may be greater or different than those of other patients. Your plastic surgeon will review all potential risks and complications with you prior to the procedure.
What to Expect During a Chemical Peel
During a chemical peel procedure, which takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete, our aesthetician will cleanse the skin, apply the peeling agent, and then moisturize the face. Some deeper peels may require a physician to administer the peeling agent.
Different peeling agents are good for different skin types, and the aesthetician or physician will discuss this with you prior to the peel.
Chemical Peel Recovery
- You may feel as if you have a mild sunburn.
- Your skin will become dry and peel, usually three to four days after treatment.
- Peeling may occur as flakes, and rarely as sheets of skin (as if peeling from a sunburn).
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- Normal activities, including return to work, can be resumed immediately.
- Multiple treatments over the course of several months is suggested for maximum results.
