August 28, 2018

What Is The Safety Record For Chemical Peels?

To help you decide whether this treatment is right for you, you should read the following facts.

The results you see after getting a chemical peel depend largely on the skill of the person performing the peel. To protect your health and get the results you seek, you should see a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon. These doctors have in-depth knowledge of the skin.

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. If you will have a deep peel, you will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep. A deep peel must be performed in a surgical setting.

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. With a deep peel, the skin is treated one small section at a time. This limits the effects on the heart and lungs.

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. If you have a deep peel, you will have a wound that requires a surgical dressing.

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

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

Use the moisturizer as directed to keep your skin moist and supple. If your skin dries and cracks, it can scar.
If your skin burns, itches, or swells, contact your dermatologist. Rubbing or scratching skin treated with a chemical peel can cause an infection.
Do not use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning. Your skin will not heal properly.
After your skin heals, apply sunscreen every day. This will help you maintain results.

After a medium or deep peel, you will have downtime. A deep chemical peel requires recuperation at home for 2 to 3 weeks.

When will I see the results?

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

Most results are not permanent because our skin continues to age. If you have lots of sun-damaged skin or precancerous skin growths called AKs, you will likely continue to see new spots and growths on your skin.

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 and use a tanning bed or other type of indoor tanning.

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. A person can have only one deep peel.