Chemical peel

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Deborah Ekstrom offers top-of-the line skin rejuvenation treatments for her patients at Salisbury Plastic Surgery. With a chemical peel, various skin issues such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, can be dramatically improved, with a lesser improvement seen in patients with acne scars.

There are also various grades of treatment to suit your specific skin care needs. During treatment, a chemical solution will be applied to the desired area. This will exfoliate the skin and cause the very top layer of skin to peel off. This process will enable new skin growth and produce a brighter, fresher look.

Chemical peels can greatly improve the look of skin after just a single treatment, but multiple treatments are usually needed. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to call our Worcester, MA office today.

Before any chemical peel, the skin will be assessed to determine the exact skin concerns and the most appropriate type of peel. The skin will be thoroughly cleansed and prepped prior to the peel. The length of treatment and recovery depends on the type of peel administered. Afterwards, the patient will need to follow a skincare routine to protect the skin and enhance the effects of the peel. Additional treatments may be scheduled for maximum results.

The superficial/light chemical peel is the mildest form of peels that works by removing the outermost layer of skin. The peel is usually a diluted version of glycolic acid that is left on the skin for a few minutes. Afterwards, the skin will be slightly red, but there will be no downtime. The patient’s skin may peel slightly for 3 – 5 days, and a series of treatments are usually required for optimal results.

A medium depth peel removes several layers of skin to treat deeper skin problems. These peels are good for minor to moderate lines and wrinkles. TCA, or Trichloreacetic Acid, is applied in a controlled manner for a specific length of time. After a certain point, the acid will be neutralized to stop its effects. The recovery period is about 10 days for this peel and the results will be more dramatic than a light peel.

A deep peel produces the most dramatic results, so it is reserved for more serious skin conditions. Since this is a more invasive procedure, numbing cream, oral sedation, or even intravenous sedation may be used. Phenol acid is used for severe lines and wrinkles, various facial irregularities, and deep acne scars. It takes a patient 2 to 3 weeks to recover to the point where makeup can be worn since the peel is similar to second-degree burns. Most patients will only need one peel to reach their aesthetic goals.

Problematic skin problems can be peeled away with a light, medium, or deep chemical peel. The peels are great at clearing up a number of skin issues, such as fine lines and wrinkles or tone and texture issues, to leave you with better, clearer, more rejuvenated skin. Call our office to schedule a consultation to learn how a chemical peel could benefit you.