The skin is the largest organ in our body. It is made up of millions of cells that protect us from the environment and regulate our body temperature. Every day thousands of cells die, flake off and are replaced by new cells from beneath the skin. As we age, this process begins to slow down. Our skin begins to look aged and may become dull. Thankfully, Dr. Caglia performs Chemical Peels or skin peelings for patients from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex including, Plano, Richardson, Allen, McKinney, Addison, Southlake, Grapevine, Mesquite, Garland, Irving, Frisco, and throughout Texas to shrink enlarged pores, and to remove dark blotches, sun spots, age spots, fine lines and other signs of sun-damage and aging skin.
Chemical Peel Skin Rejuvenation
Chemical Peels, also referred to as beta Peels, TCA Peels, Jessner's Peel and Glycolic Peels have been used for over 100 years to create an even and controlled shedding of damaged skin cells. Each year thousands of chemical peels are performed in the United States. A chemical peel uses a solution applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells. Our doctor performs chemical peels for patients from Plano, Frisco, Allen, Southlake, Fort Worth and DFW to reduce wrinkling, brown spots (lentigos, liver spots, age spots), melasma, freckles, hyperpigmentation. These peels are available to patients from White Rock, Rockwall, Mesquite, Garland, McKinney, and the Texas area to restore a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime.
During your consultation with your doctor you will want to explain the level of skin improvement you hope to achieve. Your physician will then review your medical history and examine your skin type and pigmentation to determine if you are a good candidate for a chemical peel. Together you can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of chemical peels or skin peels, discuss your options, your expectations and determine the best treatment for you.
Don't forget to mention any history of viral infections (cold sores), sensitivity to the sun, or prior skin treatments such as dermabrasion or treatment with Accutane within the past 12 months.
What skin conditions can a chemical peel improve?
Chemical peels can effectively improve a wide variety of skin conditions including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven pigmentation
- Shallow acne scars
- Sun-damaged skin
- Brown Spots
- Age spots
- Freckling
A chemical peel is not a substitute for a facelift or laser skin resurfacing. It cannot eliminate excessive or lax skin. But, in many cases a chemical peel is performed in conjunction with these procedures, including the use of Botox and Dermal Fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Sculptra, Sculptra Aesthetic, Radiesse, and Artefill.
What is the treatment like?
Most chemical peels are performed as outpatient procedures in the doctor's office or procedure room. Depending on your skin type and the desired results, your physician may recommend a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel. Your doctor will select the proper chemical or mix of chemicals (glycolic acid, beta lift, Jessner, TCA or trichloracetic acid) and apply the solution to various areas of skin. Once applied, the chemical produces a separation and peeling of the outer layers of the skin over the next few days. When complete this tissue injury stimulates the production of fibroblasts to make new skin (collagen) from beneath.
Most patients experience a warm to hot sensation which may last as long as ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. For deeper peels, some patients require oral sedation.
What should you expect after treatment?
After Dr. Caglia performs a chemical peel, reactions are similar to a sunburn and range from mild to more pronounced. Generally, the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery.
A light skin peel usually results in some redness, and possibly some scaling for a few days. Medium and deep peels can result in swelling and a deep red to maroon color. The peels require the skin be moisturized all the time, so something like a post laser lotion or Aquaphor ointment will be used. Over a period of 7-10 days a TCA peel will turn brown and will begin peeling for 4-6 days. At first the new skin will have the color of a significant sunburn. This will gradually fade to pink over the next few days to several weeks depending on the peel you received. Cosmetics can be applied after about 2 weeks. Following a chemical peel, your new skin will be tighter, smoother and may be slightly lighter than it was before your procedure.
Following any skin or derma peel, it is important that you avoid any exposure to the sun. Your new skin is very sensitive and susceptible to injury and hyperpigmentation issues. Always apply a wide spectrum (UVA and UVB blocking) sunblock of at least SPF 30 twenty minutes before you go outside. Also, avoid sun exposure from 10 am trough 4 pm to avoid harmful UV exposure to your skin. Your physician will prescribe a proper home skin-care treatment program to ensure proper healing and place you on a maintenance skin care program that should include a Retinoid, cleanser, antioxidant, and moisturizer with SPF.
Find out if you could benefit from a variety of Chemical Peel procedures today. Schedule your complimentary consultation with our practice now at 972-690-7070
[Page last edited on October 25, 2012]
