Less Invasive Surgery > Chemical Peels
Chemical peel is a treatment that uses a chemical solution to smooth and improve on the texture and appearance of the skin. There are three main categories: Superficial peels (covered in the Medical Spas section), medium-depth peels, and deep peels. The deeper the peel, the more dramatic the improvement but also the higher the chance of scarring and other side effects.
The most common medium-depth peel employs trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, in concentrations usually ranging from 20-35%. They work well on the eyelids and most areas of the face not badly sun-damaged, but generally produce effects that are lost over several years.
Phenol peels use the strongest of chemical solutions and produce a deep peel. Croton oil is a major component of most phenol peels. Deep peels can be very long-lasting but are difficult to go through, result in substantial skin lightening, and are very risky if not monitored closely.
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There are nearly as many variations in chemical peeling techniques and solutions as there are doctors who perform them. Medium-depth peels are painful and usually require mild sedation and perhaps a local injection of anesthetic. Deep peels are very painful and require either heavy sedation or general anesthesia.
Chemical peels can help soften the appearance of fine lines, pigment imbalances, enlarged pores, sun damage, freckling, and some minimal scarring. Deep wrinkling caused by muscular contraction cannot be eliminated, and neither can sagging skin, deep sun damage, nor substantial scarring be corrected.
Many cosmetic dermatologists now prefer using laser skin resurfacing over deeper chemical peels because they feel the results are more predictable and the procedure safer.
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