Things Before a Chemical Peel

by Jackson Taylor
(Portland, Oregon, US)

If you feel that your damaged and flawed skin stops you from doing your daily activities happily you should consider undergoing the treatment of chemical peels. Chemical facial peels help build up self confidence by enhancing the beauty of an individual. If you need a psychological boost of a better appearance you should consider getting this treatment done.

Try and find the best physician to get the treatment done. Talk it out with the doctor about the procedure, the risks and the benefits, the recovery period and the cost. You have to get ready for the peel by pre-treating the skin with Retin-A, which is a medication containing vitamin A to thin out the skin's surface, or an AHA cream, so that the peel can penetrate better. This process may take up to a month depending on circumstances. The procedure usually would take place in a surgeon's clinic or an outpatient surgical center. If other medical procedures are involved, you may have to stay in hospital overnight. You may be given sedation to help relax and feel comfortable although doctors don't prescribe anesthesia most of the time. It depends on the peel as to how long it would take you the process usually takes something from ten minutes to a couple of hours. You must follow your doctor's advice on follow up. The process of aging has not been stopped; it is just slowed for a while.

Chemical peels are normally very safe when done by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon. However, the risks of scarring and infection do remain, even though it is to a very low extent. AHA peels may cause you some stinging, redness, irritation or crusting. TCA peels may lead to some undesirable color changes of the skin. Phenol peels stop the skin from forming any new pigment. This would mean that great care must be taken to protect your sensitive skin from direct sunlight. You must know about these long term issues before undergoing the treatment.

Chemical peels may result in continued skin redness, long-term skin discoloration and scarring, particularly with deep peels. Cold sores appearances were also reported by a few patients. If you have a tendency to develop keloids or other forms of scarring, then chemical peels are not meant for you. Chemical peels will not just trigger cold sores, they'll also encourage them to appear all over your face. If you have a history of suffering herpes blister, then you should avoid chemical peels or dermabrasion. Make sure to give your newly peeled skin enough protection from the sunlight. The doctor will prescribe a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB ultraviolet protection and use it every day for the time which is required following the peel procedure.

Chemical peels should ideally be performed by qualified physicians. Most laws regulate as to who can use what concentration for the treatment. The lower strength peels are far less potent than those used in clinics and have considerably a lot less effect on acne and all.