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Over time, a person will endure several skin-damaging events that can make a person look old before their time. Outer layers of skin on the face, neck, and hands can become wrinkled, rough, and scarred due to dermatological issues or spending too much time in the sun without sunblock. And while many people may be willing to consider a surgical solution for smoother, more radiant skin, the cost and recovery time involved with a facelift can be off-putting. A chemical peel is a safe, non-surgical and cost-effective alternative to a facelift.

Smooth Rough Skin

Chemical peels can benefit people with a variety of problem skin conditions, including sun damage, acne scars, and wrinkled, rough skin. A chemical peel is relatively pain-free, and the recovery time much shorter than that of surgical procedures.

Chemical peels can help with several skin conditions of the face, hands, and neck, including:

• Scars, including acne scars
• Age spots
• Liver spots
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Freckles
• Irregular skin pigmentation
• Rough skin
• Small, visible blood vessels
• Skin damage from the sun
• Lesions and growths

Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, especially a facial procedure, the patient should be in good physical health and have realistic expectations for the results, as those results may not become apparent for weeks or even months after the procedure.

Chemical Peel Procedure

The depth of a chemical peel can vary from light, medium, or deep depending on the nature of your skin damage and your own personal goal for the procedure. Before your procedure, you may be asked to stop taking certain prescription drugs and prepare your skin using other medications. You may also be prescribed antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

A chemical peel can be performed as an outpatient procedure in a doctor’s office or in a surgery center. To begin, the patient’s skin is thoroughly cleaned. Then, a chemical solution is applied to areas of the skin to stimulate a controlled wound that will be replaced by new skin. Upon application, patients will likely experience a burning sensation on their skin lasting five to ten minutes. Pain medication may be required during and after a medium chemical peel and general anesthesia may be necessary for a deep chemical peel procedure. Anti-viral or anti-biotic medication may be prescribed after the procedure in order to prevent infection.

Chemical Peel Recovery Time

After the procedure, the patient’s skin will redden before gradually, depending upon the depth of the peel, returning to its natural color. It may take 5 to 7 days for the skin to heal after a medium peel, whereas deep chemical peel recovery time may be several months. The skin may flake and peel in the days after the procedure.

Your doctor will provide you with a daily regimen of steps to prevent infection, speed healing, and alleviate as much discomfort as possible. After you have fully healed, you may be advised to use a special moisturizer or other facial product to help maintain the results of your chemical peel.

Dr. Livingston and his staff are committed to making sure your skin looks its best. If you have skin-related issues, including acne scars, deep wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation, and would like to know more about the potential benefits of chemical peels for treating those issues, contact us today for a free consultation.