Is Chemical Peel Good For Your Skin?

A chemical peel at Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery is a procedure used to resurface the skin where a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin which grows back following the chemical peel is more youthful looking and smoother.

Chemical peels are often used on the face to treat wrinkles, skin discoloration and scars. The procedure can be done alone or in addition to other cosmetic procedures.

Chemical peels can be performed at three different depths: light, medium and deep. The depth used will vary based on your desired outcome and the condition of your skin. A different chemical solution is used for each type of chemical peel. While the deeper chemical peels produce more noticeable results, they also require a longer recovery time.

Chemical peels are used to treat various skin issues. Based on the various skin issues you are working to address, one of following three depths will be used for the procedure:

1. Light:Light or superficial chemical peels remove the outer layer of skin or the epidermis. This treatment can be used to improve fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dry skin. Light chemical peels can be performed every two to five weeks.
2. Medium:Medium chemical peels remove skin cells from the epidermis in addition to portions of the upper part of the middle layer of skin or the dermis. A medium chemical peel is used to treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone. Patients can repeat a medium chemical peel after three to nine months to maintain their desired results.
3. Deep: A deep chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from parts of the mid to lower layers of the dermis. A doctor may recommend a deep chemical peel for patients who have deeper wrinkles, scars or precancerous growths. Deep chemical peels can only be performed one time.

The following is a summary of potential risks and side effects associated with chemical peels:

• Redness:The normal healing process after a chemical peel includes some redness on the treated area. Following a medium or deep chemical peel, the redness can last for a few months.
• Scarring:While it is rare, a chemical peel can result in scarring. This typically occurs on the lower portion of the face. Steroid medications and antibiotics can be used to minimize the appearance of these scars.
• Skin color changes:Chemical peels can also cause the treated skin to become darker than normal which is referred to as hyperpigmentation. The procedure can also cause the skin to become lighter than normal or hypopigmentation. After a superficial peel, hyperpigmentation is more common, while hypopigmentation occurs more often after a deep peel. It is more common for people who have darker skin to experience changes in their skin color and the change can be permanent.
• Infection:It is possible for a chemical peel to cause a flare-up of the herpes virus which causes cold sores. In rare cases, a chemical peel can lead to a bacterial or fungal infection.
• Heart, kidney or liver damage:Deep chemical peels use carbolic acid or phenol, which can cause damage to the heart muscle and also cause an irregular heartbeat. Phenol can also injure the kidneys and liver. To minimize a patient’s exposure to phenol, deep chemical peels are completed in 10 to 20-minute intervals.

It is not possible for chemical peels to decrease the size of your pores, eliminate deep scars or deep wrinkles.

Not all patients are good candidates for chemical peels. Your doctor may advise against getting a chemical peel if any of the following conditions apply:

• Taking acne medication isotretinoin such as Amnesteem or Claravis within the past six months
• Dark complexion
• A personal history of keloids or ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue
• Abnormal skin pigmentation
• History of frequent or severe cold sore outbreaks

Follow up with a doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for a chemical peel to improve the appearance of your skin.

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