Before receiving your chemical peel, photos will be taken of your face. This is so we can track your progress with the peel(s) and show you before and after images. Next, your skin will be cleansed to remove surface oils and make-up. The chemical agent is then applied to the skin. Some chemical peels will be applied in layers. After a designated amount of time, some chemical peels will be neutralized with another product. Many of today’s newer chemical peels do not require neutralization. Following the treatment, a moisturizer and sunblock may be applied.

If you want to improve your skin’s tone, texture, and appearance, then you are a candidate for chemical peels. The chemical peel can also help with aging, sun-damaged skin. There are many chemical peels, including glycolic, Jessner’s, lactic, salicylic, mandelic, azelaic, or TCA peels. Our staff at Lazaderm will help you decide which type of peel will best suit your needs and lifestyle.

Following a chemical peel, it is common for your face to be a little red and have some peeling for a week to ten days. After a light peel, your skin may tingle and feel like a light sunburn, and you can apply make-up. Following a deep peel performed by the medical staff at Lazaderm, it is common to have a few days of discomfort and tenderness. Protect new skin from future damage. Do not go out in the sun or peel off loose skin. Allowing the skin to slough off freely is important to help prevent any scarring.

The results of the chemical peel will vary, depending on the strength of the chemical applied to the face. Mild peels will remove only the dead cells from the surface of your skin, so results will not be as dramatic as deeper chemical peels. Medium peels are more aggressive and may reduce fine lines and improve sun damage to the skin. Deep peels provided by medical personnel will tighten the skin and eliminate deep wrinkles.

There is a very small risk of infection with chemical peels. The more aggressive the chemical peel, the more likely you will have complications. However, the risks are very low, even for the more aggressive chemical peels. If you happen to develop a cold sore or fever blister before your skin can heal, it is possible that this can spread to the whole treated area and cause scarring. Also, it is important to tell your medical provider about your history of cold sores. They can start you on an antiviral medication before your treatment. Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation can also be an issue after a chemical peel, especially for darker-skinned men and women.

Absolutely, darker skin types can be treated with appropriate chemical peels, but it is very important to make sure to pretreat and prepare the skin before the chemical peel. It is also very important to protect the skin from sun exposure following treatment of darker skin types with chemical peels.

To ensure you have long-lasting results, keep up with your skin care and maintain healthy skin that is exposed. Limiting your time to sun exposure, stopping smoking, and limiting your alcohol will greatly benefit your health and skin as you age and continue to heal.