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Articles

Before The Procedure

A chemical peel is typically done in an office-based procedure room. Before the procedure, your doctor will clean your face and depending on the peel solution may need to cover your eyes with ointment, gauze, tape or goggles.

Pain relief isn’t typically needed for a light chemical peel. If you’re having a medium chemical peel, you might have the option of taking a sedative and a painkiller.

If you’re having a deep chemical peel, you will receive numbing for your skin.

During The Procedure

During A Light Chemical Peel

  • A brush, cotton ball, gauze or sponge will be used to apply the appropriate chemical solution that was decided upon.
  • You might feel mild to moderate amount of stinging while the chemical solution is on your skin.
  • The solution will be kept on the skin for a set amount of time – most often 2-5 minutes. Your skin will be monitored continuously.
  • A neutralizing solution will be applied to remove the chemical solution from the treated skin.

During A Medium Chemical Peel

  • A chemical solution containing trichloroacetic acid, sometimes in combination with glycolic acid will be applied with a special applicator or gauze. The treated skin will begin to whiten.
  • After a few minutes, cool compresses or a hand-held fan or both is used to soothe treated skin. Often no neutralizing solution is needed, however.
  • You might feel stinging and burning for up to 20 minutes.

During A Deep Chemical Peel

  • You will be monitored very closely during this procedure – usually with a heart rate monitor
  • A cotton-tipped applicator is used to apply carbolic acid (phenol) to your skin. Treated skin will begin to turn white or grey.
  • To limit your exposure to phenol, your doctor will do the procedure in portions at about 15-minute intervals. A full-facial procedure might take about 90 minutes.

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After The Procedure

You will be informed on how to treat your skin. Remember that these are guidelines and responses may vary between individuals.

In General

  • Keep treated areas cool (you may use a water spray).
  • Do not pick! Picking delays healing and causes scarring.
  • Moisturize – use light preparations after a superficial peel, thicker moisturisers after a deeper peel. The skin should stay moist all the time during the healing period.  The appropriate cream is usually recommended at the time of treatment.
  • Always! Protect from the sun.
  • If advised to do so, continue to use tretinoin, glycolic acid, depigmenting agents and/or hydroquinone long term.

After A Light Chemical Peel

  • Treated skin will be red, dry and mildly irritated.
  • Treated areas take about one to seven days to heal after a light chemical peel.
  • New skin might temporarily be lighter or darker than normal.

After A Medium Chemical Peel

  • Treated skin will be red, tight and swollen. You’ll feel stinging.
  • Use ice packs or the breeze from a fan for comfort. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, Myprodol or Genpayne may help reduce any discomfort.
  • You will have to schedule a check-up soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing.
  • As swelling decreases, treated skin will begin to form a crust and might darken or develop brown blotches.  After about 3-4 days the skin will usually start to peel off.
  • Treated areas take about seven to 14 days to heal after a medium chemical peel, but redness might last for months.

After A Deep Chemical Peel

  • You’ll experience severe redness and swelling. You’ll also feel burning and throbbing, and your eyelids might swell shut.
  • Your doctor will apply a watertight dressing to treated skin. He or she might also prescribe painkillers. Sleeping in a semi reclined position may help reduce swelling.
  • Treated areas will develop new skin within about two weeks after a deep chemical peel, although cysts or white spots might appear for several weeks and redness might last for months. Treated skin might become darker or lighter than normal or lose the ability to tan.
  • You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing from a deep chemical peel. Once new skin completely covers the treated area in about two weeks, you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness.

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