What is a chemical peel?
Dr. T.Y. Steven Ip has an entire array of procedures that he uses to give his patients the most beautiful, most flawless skin that they could have, and chemical peels are just one of them. A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing technique that makes use of chemical solutions of specific concentrations that are applied directly onto the skin to facilitate its exfoliation, ultimately revealing younger and smoother skin.
Why should I consider it?
Chemical peels are used to effectively treat wrinkles, scars, and even discoloration. They are done in different depths—light, medium, and deep—each one is able to address the patient’s needs, and produce the desired results to give the patient the best skin they can possibly have. Light chemical peels are able to remove the outermost layer of the skin to effectively treat acne, wrinkles, dryness, and uneven skin tone. Medium chemical peels remove cells from the deeper portions of the epidermis to treat more aggressive wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. Deep chemical peels removes himself from the epidermis and dermis, and is recommended for removing scar tissues, alleviating deep wrinkles, and even precancerous growths.
What should I expect from a chemical peel procedure?
A chemical peel is a procedure that is typically done on an outpatient basis. Prior to the application of the chemical solution, the doctor makes sure that the treatment area, typically the patient’s face, is clean and that the eyes and hair are properly protected.
- During a light chemical peel the doctor applies a chemical solution salicylic acid or glycolic acid directly onto the skin using a cotton ball or a sponge. The treated area will begin to whiten as the chemical solution is left on the skin for up to 10 minutes. A mild stinging sensation will also be felt during this time. After the recommended treatment period, a neutralizing solution is applied and the entire area is washed.
- During a medium chemical peel the doctor applies trichloroacetic acid onto the indicated areas, and this area will begin to whiten. After being left in contact with the skin for a few minutes, the doctor applies a cool compress to soothe the skin. Unlike a light chemical peel, there will be no neutralizing solution that will be applied after the initial chemical application.
- For a deep chemical peel, anesthesia will be administered to the patient to minimize discomfort. Carbolic acid, or phenol, will be applied directly onto the skin and the treated area will begin to turn gray or white. The procedure will be broken up into phases, with a 10 or 20 minutes interval in between to limit the skin’s exposure to the phenol. The full procedure can take between 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
After the chemical peel, the patient is highly recommended to follow doctor’s recommendations during the recovery period. New skin will begin to develop a few days after the peels.
