Chemical Peels
What to Expect Before, During, and After
If you want to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, a dull complexion, or rough skin, your dermatologist may recommend a cosmetic procedure called a chemical peel. The following explains what happens before, during, and after this procedure.
What to Expect Before a Chemical Peel
A consultation is essential. Your dermatologist will take a complete medical history. Be sure to tell your dermatologist if you are prone to cold sores, have had a cosmetic procedure in the past, scar easily or have ever had a type of raised scar known as a keloid, or took isotretinoin (a prescription medication used to treat severe acne). These can have a tremendous effect on what you see after a chemical peel.
After the consultation and a physical exam that includes a close look at your skin, your dermatologist will tell you if a chemical peel will help diminish the signs of aging that concern you and if a chemical peel is right for you.
If a chemical peel is appropriate, one of the following types of peels will be recommended:
| Type of Peel | What it Does | May Contain | Signs of Aging Treated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superficial — also known as the lunchtime peel |
Penetrates only the outer layer of skin to gently exfoliate |
|
|
| Medium | Penetrates the outer layer of skin and reaches into the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells |
|
|
| Deep | Reaches deep into the middle layer of skin to remove damaged skin cells |
|
Can make a person look years younger — removes fine to moderate lines, age spots, freckles, shallow scars. Will see brighter, smoother, slightly tighter, more youthful skin. Can only be used on the face and only performed once. |
Most medium and deep chemical peels require pre-peel skin care. Usually prescribed for 2 to 4 weeks before the peel, this skin-care plan helps the peel deliver the best results and reduce potential side effects. The plan should be carefully followed.
What to Expect During a Chemical Peel
Superficial and medium-depth peels are performed in a dermatologist’s office. A deep peel may be performed in a dermatologist’s office or outpatient surgical center. General (puts the patient to sleep) anesthesia and monitoring equipment for the heart and lungs may be necessary for a deep peel.
Before applying the peel, the skin is prepped. Once the skin is ready, the dermatologist quickly and evenly applies the peel. If a deep peel is being performed, the skin will be treated one small section at a time to limit effects on the heart and lungs. Typically, a 20-minute interval between each application of the peel solution is necessary with a deep peel.
As the peel works, the dermatologist watches the skin carefully so that the peel can be stopped and removed at the appropriate time. After the peel is removed, cool compresses may be applied to help soothe the skin. These are usually not necessary for a superficial peel.
A mild lotion or cream may be applied after a superficial or medium-depth peel to help soothe the skin. After a deep peel, surgical dressing will be used to protect the treated skin.
Microdermabrasion
This is a procedure that involves the skin being exfoliated by using aluminum oxide crystals to remove the stratum corneum (top) layer of the skin; the dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion also promotes the production of new skin cells in the basel (deepest) layer of the dermis. It cleans your pores and hinder any further breakouts if used on a regular basis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen net-working to further even out skin texture and appearance.
The best candidates for Microdermabrasion are individuals with acne prone and blotchy skin, small scars, large pores, millia and skin that has sun damage or uneven texture.
LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%
LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008, is a novel treatment for hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. Eyelash hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes. LATISSE® is the first and only FDA-approved, science-based treatment to enhance eyelash prominence as measured by increases in length, thickness and darkness of eyelashes.
Available only through a doctor, LATISSE® is a once-daily prescription treatment applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use-per-eye disposable applicator. LATISSE® users can expect to experience longer, fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks. To maintain effect, continued treatment with LATISSE® is required. If use of LATISSE® is discontinued, eyelashes will gradually return to where they were prior to treatment over a period of weeks to months (average eyelash hair cycle). Ask your doctor if LATISSE® is right for you.
