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1. What is a Chemical Peel? 2. When can a Chemical Peel be performed? 3. What does a typical Chemical Peel consultation entail? 4. How is a Chemical Peel performed? 5. What should I expect post-operatively? 6. Will it hurt? 7. When will I be able to see the results? 8. What are the risks of a Chemical Peel? 9. What is Arnica montana or Bromelain, I have heard that these homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take? 10. Are the results permanent?
A chemical peel is the use
of chemicals such as AHA's, Trichloracetic acid (TCA) or Phenol to remove
layers of damaged or aged skin to reveal newer, softer, younger looking skin. Back to Top2. When can a Chemical Peel be performed?A chemical peel can be performed whenever there is damage to be removed. It is best performed in the winter when sun exposure is at a minimum and usually after a rigorous skin care regimen. The age limit is usually the early teens.
Back to Top3. What does a typical Chemical Peel consultation entail?You will discuss your many options after having a full skin type evaluation and skin elasticity check. Your skincare specialist will go over what avenues you may take to achieve your desired goal. You may be surprised that for many complaints a good skin care program will be sufficient. Back to Top4. How is a Chemical Peel performed?The need for sedation depends upon the depth of the peel. After your skin has been primed through skin care or microdermabrasion, you will have your skin scrubbed and a mild toner used to remove the natural surface oils. Layers of the acid are gently and expertly applied to your skin, with care being taken as to not overlap. Overlapping can cause demarcation lines and or skin damage. The timer is set and the physician or skin care specialist neutralizes the acid and removes the product. Your skin is then wiped clean and a moisturizer or anti bacterial ointment is applied to the skin. Sometimes a membrane is applied to help with comfort and healing - some of these may be burn dressing membranes, or commercially available masks such as the HydroGold Full Face Gel Mask® from www.BioDermis.com. But ALWAYS ask your physician before using any product post-operatively. Masks such as this are usually reserved for more serious peels (Phenol, Obagi Blue, Laser, etc) as they can be quite pricey.
Another product is made from crushed and bleached
crab shells which has antibacterial properties. The attached gauze dressing is
changed but the membrane is left intact. No known bacteria can grow on
this new-type membrane. Please see our Chemical Peel Section
for more information. Back to Top5. What should I expect post-operatively?You will feel as though your skin has a windburn or sunburn and will find that your skin is tight. Do not make excessive or widely exaggerated facial expressions. This can tearing of the skin and bleeding, hence -- scarring. Just let your skin heal naturally and do not peel or tug on ANY skin that may peel from the face. You can cause excessive damage resulting in severe scarring if you do this. Please read our Chemical Peel Section of more information on what to expect. Back to Top6. Will it hurt?You may experience a warm or tingling sensation and depending upon the strength of the peel -- a stinging sensation. Your physician may place a fan on low speed to help with any type of discomfort. Back to Top7. When will I be able to see the results?You will start noticing pink, fresh skin emerging from under the peeling, damaged skin. Remember not to help the peel along by pulling or rubbing this old skin off. Within a few weeks the pinkness will fade for most, light peels. Depending upon the depth of the peel you may have lingering pinkness which may look like a mild sunburn or flushed appearance. Your physician will go over what to expect for the depth of the peel you undergo. Back to Top8. What are the risks of a Chemical Peel?If you have oral herpes. You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for oral acyclovir - one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring. Be careful of crusting or excessive weeping. In AHA peels you may think this is normal but there is a borderline appearances that you must watch out for. Ask your skin care specialist for specifics regarding what to look for. If for a typical AHA peel, you should feel and look normal within 3-4 days. For deeper peels your downtime may take weeks and then months for complete recovery. If you experience painful areas of the face, contact your surgeon or skin care specialist immediately - ESPECIALLY if you are prone to cold sores. Blisters that form will need to be treated immediately!Hyperpigmentations (excessive coloration) and hypopigmentation (lack of pigmentation) can be problematic of misdiagnosed skin types, failure to reveal any skin problems or ethnicity and improper post-peel care. Infection is uncommon but possible so keep an eye out for redness and pain. Scarring is a problem if the above is experienced so please adhere to your post-peel instructions to decrease your chances of long term or permanent, visible signs of damage. Back to Top9. What is Arnica montana or Bromelain, I have heard that these homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take?also known as: Mountain
Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane and Sneezewort from the plant of the: Pineapple also known as: Ananas, Nanas, Pina plant family: Bromeliaceae type: herbaceous perennial parts used: mostly in the stems of pineapples, but some fruit is used as well. description: 2 1/2 to 5 ft. high with a spread of 3 to 4 ft. The plant is like a thick stem with a rosette of wide, waxy leaves. These pointed green, red, and white/off white striped leaves are approximately 18 - 70 inches long and graced with a spiny needle-like tip. The plant produces a sweet to tangy and sometimes sour fruit that is yellow to white in color. The unpeeled fruit is brownish with a hard, spiky covering and a large green sprout from it crown. The fruit is shaped like a coffee can with rounded ends and is about 10-12 inches long usually when considered prime and may even weigh up to 10 lbs. habitat: Indigenous to southern Brazil and Paraguay, The fruit is now grown all over in green houses and in the fields of Spain, Guatemala, Hawaii and more. The pineapple is a tropical plant and thrives in hot, humid places. Although it can survive cold snaps, it is not recommended for the more northern areas if intended to be grown outdoors. Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory formula containing the proteolytic enzyme from the stems of pineapples. Proteolytic enzymes are capable of dissolving proteins. It is most often used after sports injuries, to relive edema and after surgical procedures to help with swelling. ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON FIRST BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION. 10. Are the results permanent? The results are as permanent as you intend on taking care of your skin thereafter. If you continue to sunbathe, smoke, not take care of your skin, etc. - your skin will become damaged again. Although you will. of course, continue to age - your wrinkles will be softened and your appearance made fresher depending upon the depth of the peel. Taking care of your skin and using quality maintenance and prevention products like a high SPF sun block will most certainly help you retain the rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
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