Artefill

Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels remove the damaged outer layers of skin and range from light to more aggressive, to improve and smooth the texture of the skin. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are used for this purpose with the precise formula adjusted to meet each patient's needs.

Chemical peels do not slow or prevent the aging process but do treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne scars.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel. In fact, more than one TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired result. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than with a phenol peel.

Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths. Since phenol sometimes lightens the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you. Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it's applied to the neck or other body areas.

A Chemical Peel is normally a safe procedure when it is performed by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon. However, some unpredictability and risks such as infection and scarring, while infrequent, are possible.

AHA peels may cause stinging, redness, irritation and crusting. However, as the skin adjusts to the treatment regimen, these problems will subside. AHA peels are used to treat:

Smoothes rough, dry skin
Improves texture of sun-damaged skin
Aids in control of acne
Can be mixed with bleaching agent to correct pigment problems
Can be used as TCA pre-treatment

A series of peels may be recommended to treat specific conditions.