Chemical Peels

What are chemical peels?
Peels consist of many different solutions that can be applied to the skin to cause the outer layers to come away over the next 8 days.

Can chemical peels heal damage caused by the sun?
Chemical peels can heal the damage caused by the sun. They remove the outer damaged cells and stimulate new collagen and elastic production in the deeper layers of the skin, leaving a refreshed and more youthful looking skin.

What chemical peels have the most effective results?
While there are many solutions that can be used two stand out. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is very even and leaves a clean fresh look. Varying its strength allows removal of some or all of the epidermis to expose the papillary dermis (level II peel).

Phenol has been used for more than seventy years and has an effect deep in the reticular dermis (level III peel). This is the strongest of the peels and is used for deep wrinkles. It is as effective as laser. Chemical peels and laser are often used in combination.

Is it painful and will I need time off work?
Superficial peels are not painful and require no time off work.

For level II peels patients usually prefer analgesics and sedation. Most people take a week off work.

Level III peels need nerve blocks, analgesia and sedation. After the procedure the face feels sunburnt for about three days.
There is swelling and oozing for five days. The face is red for the first two weeks; looks sunburnt after that, fading by the fourth week.