Chemical Peel

Of all the procedures plastic surgeons perform, a properly performed facial peel, often following a facelift, gives the most dramatic improvement to the facial appearance of a patient. A chemical peel improves fine wrinkles, brown age spots, roughened sunspots, pigment abnormalities and many other age and sun-related conditions. Over the last several years, there have been many procedural improvements, making it safer and more comfortable for patients. Additionally, a more conservative type of "light peel" yields better results with less recovery time. The chemical peel procedure involves selecting a particular peel solution and the manner with which it is applied. In addition to the face and neck, arms and hands doctors can treat arms and hands with equal ease. Peeling agents can include TCA, glycolic acid, kojic acid, phenol and croton oil. Doctors combine the chemical peel with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as carbon dioxide or IPL lasers and dermabrasion for optimal results. Patients with an active tan should typically wait for two weeks before receiving a chemical peel in order to minimize the risk of pigmentation irregularities. Those with a history of oral herpes simplex virus infection will need to take an antiviral medication for two days before a peel procedure in order to minimize any risk of recurrence. A typical skin care regimen includes: Retin-A 0.05%, skin rejuvenation cream applied three times a week, nightly; Glyquin, bleaching agent containing Glycolic acid for to exfoliate the skin, applied every day and night; Vitamin C acid, skin rejuvenation agent and an antioxidant, applied in the morning. Physicians perform peels that are more superficial with a topical anesthesia or strong numbing cream. The doctor applies the cream to the to face or hands of the patient 15 minutes before a procedure and is simply washed off when the doctor finishes the procedure. The doctor cleanses the skin and pores of the patient with a specialized solution. The doctor gently applies a peeling solution consists of a customized mixture of trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid or koji acid to the face of the patient. After the desired effect, the patient washes off the peeling agent and applies a strong moisturizer to return moisture to the skin without blocking pores.

Q: What type of anesthesia does the doctor administer? A: Thanks to the growing safety of plastic surgery and the refined techniques used, procedures do not require a lot of general anesthesia. The preferred anesthesia method is light general anesthesia where the patient is lightly anesthetized and entirely unaware of the surgery. This method minimizes nausea and other discomforts of general anesthesia. More Plastic Surgery Questions



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Institute Of Surgical Arts - The Institute of Surgical Arts delivers the highest standard of care including surgical technique, ethics, integrity and the true art of surgery to its patients. It includes every attention to detail to assure comfort, excellent surgical results and post-surgical care on regular follow-up visits.
Surgical Arts - Surgical Arts delivers the highest standard of care including surgical technique, ethics, integrity and the true art of surgery to its patients. It includes every attention to detail to assure comfort, excellent surgical results and post-surgical care on regular follow-up visits.
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