A chemical peel is a procedure that improves the skin’s appearance by dissolving dead skin cells with a special chemical solution. Essentially, a chemical peel removes the top few layers of skin in order to reveal newer, smoother skin underneath. This procedure is customarily used on the face, but it can also be used on places like the neck, chest, and hands.
At Après Plastic Surgery, Dr. Aghayan offers a variety of chemical peel treatment options, depending on the areas you’d like to improve. Typically, chemical peels are used to treat skin issues such as wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation and discoloration, scars, and dry patches.
Chemical peels smooth and soften the skin overall. They can even minimize pores and provide a slight lift. But most of all, these procedures target specific skin conditions that millions of individuals struggle with on a daily basis:
Environmental factors, the sun, and aging overall can cause wrinkles and fine lines to form over time. By removing the top layers of damaged skin, chemical peels essentially eliminate these wrinkles and lines and reveal smoother, healthier skin.
Chemical peels using ingredients like glycolic acid can be amazingly effective at treating discoloration caused by past acne, sun damage, or aging.
Lastly, because chemical peels essentially remove the top layers of skin, if you have scars from acne or anything else, these marks can be greatly reduced through the procedure’s rapid exfoliation method.
Chemical peel patients have visible skin issues that often cause discomfort, frustration, and lack of confidence. Patients may struggle with wrinkles and fine lines, scarring, dryness and flakiness, sun and age spots, discoloration and hyperpigmentation, and other issues.
It’s important that chemical peel candidates have realistic expectations about their chemical peel results and understand that sometimes, multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve their goals.
Some individuals may not be good candidates for this treatment, including those who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future, those who often endure severe cold sore outbreaks, those with a history of keloids (scar tissue overgrowth), and those who have taken isotretinoin (an oral medication for acne) in the last six months.
You’ll want to book an assessment at Après Plastic Surgery before scheduling your actual chemical peel appointment. This will give Dr. Aghayan a chance to look over your skin and suggest the best peel for your problem areas and desired goals.
Once you’ve chosen the right chemical peel for your needs and selected your treatment date, keep in mind you may need to follow some pre-treatment guidelines. These may or may not include:
There are three main types of chemical peels, and Après Plastic Surgery offers all three:
On the day of your appointment, you will lie in comfort as our team administers your treatment. The first step will be a thorough cleansing of the skin, followed by the application of your chosen chemical solution.This solution will be left on the skin for the ideal amount of time, after which we will remove the peel from your skin and gently cleanse it once more. From here, a neutralizing agent will be applied.
Be sure to bring a sun hat and sunscreen to your appointment so that you can leave the facility and head out to your car without exposing your skin to the sun. Remember that the recovery period after a chemical peel demands limiting sun exposure.
Finally, as you anticipate your procedure, you might consider contacting a trusted friend or relative to take you home after your procedure. This is especially true for deep chemical peels. It’s good to take it easy for a few days, especially after these more intense treatments.
Most patients who receive chemical peels have do not experience any adverse effects. However, as with any clinical treatment, there are potential complications and side effects to be aware of:
There is a short recovery period after any chemical peel. From the day you receive your treatment, your skin will begin to itch and peel. This is completely normal and to be expected. Just be sure to allow your skin to go through this totally normal healing process.
If you touch your skin too much or attempt to pull the skin off yourself, you could cause scarring. Instead, follow Dr. Aghayan’s recovery instructions, which will be based on the specific peel you receive. Remember that typically, deeper chemical peels require a longer recovery.
Depending on your chosen chemical peel, you may need to apply ointment or moisturizer or change bandages on the treated area. Light peels typically require up to a week to fully heel. Up to two weeks are requires in order for a medium peel to heal. And up to three weeks may be required for a deep peel to heel.
No matter what chemical peel you choose, always remember that your skin will be especially sensitive to the sun after your treatment. This is because the skin being exposed is new and, therefore, delicate. Stay out of the sun for the duration of your recovery to protect your skin.
Consider these complementary procedures when getting a chemical peel.
BOTOX® is an injectable treatment that improves dynamic wrinkles (those caused by facial movements) usually located in the upper face.
JUVÉDERM® is an injectable treatment that improves plumpness and suppleness in the skin. It works by using synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) to restore the skin’s natural levels of collagen.
KYBELLA® targets the “double chin” by removing moderate to severe fat deposits located in the submental area (below the chin).
These are the most common questions we receive about chemical peels.
Are chemical peels painful?
Typically, light and medium-depth chemical peels do not cause pain. However, there may be some level of discomfort during a deep peel. Fortunately, Dr. Aghayan will be able to give you something for this if you choose.
Can you see results after one chemical peel?
Most patients require several chemical peel treatments in order to realize their ultimate skin goals. Still, you should be able to see at least some level of improvement after your first session.
Can I shower after a chemical peel?
After most types of chemical peels, it’s best to completely leave your skin alone for at least 12 to 24 hours. This means no showering during this time. In fact, it means no water, soap, moisturizers, or makeup of any kind.
You should also avoid intense exercise (such as running or biking) as well as saunas. In some cases, you may need to avoid touching and using products on your skin for longer than 12 to 24 hours as well.
How long does it take to recover from a chemical peel?
This depends on what type of peel you received. Light chemical peels usually require up to seven days to fully heel. Medium peels can take anywhere from one to two weeks to recover, and deep peels typically require two to three weeks to heal.
How long do the effects from a chemical peel last?
This depends on what type of peel you choose. The effects from deeper peels last the longest — sometimes offering permanent results. Light chemical peels (“lunch hour peels”) tend to only last between one and two months, and medium-depth peels may last up to six months.
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