Many patients who want to rid their face of lines and wrinkles seek alternatives to surgical procedures. Now, treating the various textural changes of the skin that occur due to time and other environmental factors is possible with a chemical peel. Peels are classified into three depth levels: light, medium, and heavy. The depth of the peel dictates the length of the healing time.
At Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, we offer a variety of peels, encompassing all three levels. Our medical aesthetician administers very superficial, superficial, and medium-depth peels. We also offer a TCA peel (trichloroacetic acid), which is a medium-level peel, and a phenol peel, which is the deepest level peel. Our chemical peel patients in Jackson and Ann Arbor often find that a peel helps them attain a fresh, youthful appearance. Chemical peels can be a less expensive alternative to laser skin surgery in Michigan, which is why women and men are turning to these treatments for beautiful, radiant skin.
Chemical Peel Benefits
Chemical peels, depending on the depth, have various benefits. They can address and improve:
- Facial wrinkles
- Age spots
- Pigmentation problems
- Scar appearance
- Precancerous skin lesions
Chemical Peel Insider Tips
- Peels can be tailored to your skin based on downtime and anticipated results.
- There are some peels, like phenol peels, that can produce results superior to existing laser technology.
- Darker-pigmented skin can tolerate only certain types of lighter peels.
- Lunchtime peels are a great option for the working professional.
Candidates for a Chemical Peel
Candidates for a TCA peel are patients with hyperpigmentation, sun damage, rough skin, blemishes, and fine lines. Candidates for a phenol peel are patients with wrinkled or sun-damaged skin, loose and wrinkled skin around the eyes, and textural changes of the skin that lead to an aged appearance.
The General Chemical Peel Procedure
Before any chemical peel, it is important for the patient to stay out of the sun a few weeks prior to treatment. Any pretreatment regimen must be followed in order to ensure the maximum benefit of the peel. Peels are usually performed in an hour or less, generally lasting about 45 minutes.
Recovery Process After a Chemical Peel
A light peel will leave your skin looking fresh typically with no downtime, hence the name “lunchtime” peel. A medium peel, such as a TCA peel, heals like a typical sunburn, with some redness and peeling for about a week. The deepest peel, a phenol or Baker’s peel, often has impressive results, but takes about two weeks to heal and is usually accompanied by some prolonged redness that can be camouflaged with makeup.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a simple and safe procedure for exfoliating the epidermis and ridding the skin of fine vellus hair, better known as peach fuzz. It has been used for many years and is a celebrity favorite for preparing glowing skin for the red carpet. It can be used as a standalone procedure or paired with a chemical peel or facial for deep exfoliation, since it enhances the power of medical-grade serums and creams. Contact Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery to learn more about the benefits of dermaplaning, as well as how it complements other procedures available at the practice.
