Chemical peels

What happens during a chemical peel?
Before getting a chemical peel, some patients need to follow a pre-peel skin care plan for 2 to 4 weeks. This plan can improve results and reduce potential side effects. Your dermatologist will tell you whether this is necessary.
On the day of your peel, you will first be prepped for the treatment. This includes cleansing your skin thoroughly.
After you are prepped, your dermatologist will apply the peel quickly and evenly. Your dermatologist will watch your skin carefully to remove the peel at just the right time.
After the peel comes off, your skin will be treated as needed. Patients who get a medium peel may need cool compresses followed by a lotion or cream to soothe their skin.

What must I do after getting a chemical peel?
All peels that a dermatologist performs require some at-home care. The following table shows you what you can expect.

What to expect after a chemical peel?
Healing time: 1 to 7 days. Skin will be red. After the redness disappears, scaling may develop, which lasts 3 to 7 days.

At-home care: Lotion or cream to be applied until the skin heals, followed by daily use of sunscreen.

When to wear makeup: Usually immediately after the peel, but sometimes the next day.

Follow-up visit: No. However, 3 to 5 peels may be necessary to give you the desired results. These peels may be repeated every 2 to 5 weeks.

To help their patients get the best results, dermatologists also share these tips:

1.Use the moisturizer as directed to keep your skin moist and supple.
2.If your skin burns, itches, or swells, contact your dermatologist. Rubbing or scratching skin treated with a chemical peel can cause an infection.
3.After your skin heals, apply sunscreen every day. This will help you maintain results.

Is there downtime?
After a medium or deep peel, you will have downtime.

When will I see the results?
Once your skin heals, you will see the results. Healing time ranges from 1 day for a superficial peel to 14 days or longer for a deep peel. To get the results you seek from a superficial peel, you may need to have 3 to 5 peels.

How long will the results last?
Most results are not permanent because our skin continues to age.

What are the possible side effects?
In the hands of a doctor who has experience with chemical peels, side effects tend to be mild. Some patients develop:
Persistent redness that may last for months.
Temporary darkening of the skin.
Lighter skin color (medium and deep peels).
Scarring (very rare when peel performed by a dermatologist).
If serious side effects occur, it is often because the patient did not follow the dermatologist’s instructions. Your risk for developing an infection or scarring increase dramatically if you:
Fail to protect your skin from the sun.
Fail to care for your wound as instructed.
Scratch the treated skin or pick off a scab.
Apply makeup before your skin heals.
Don’t heed your dermatologist’s advice.

When is it safe to have another chemical peel?
To maintain results, you can repeat mild and medium chemical peels. Your dermatologist can tell you how often you can have a repeat treatment.

What is the safety record for chemical peels?
Dermatologists have been performing chemical peels for more than 50 years, with an excellent safety record.