|
If you're considering chemical peel ...
Chemical peel is especially useful for the fine wrinkles on cheeks,
forehead, and around the eyes, and the vertical wrinkles around the
mouth.
Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the
texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It
is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and
uneven skin pigmentation. Phenol, trichloroacetic
acid (ITCA) and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)
are used for this purpose. The precise formula used may be adjusted
to meet each patient's needs. Although chemical peel may be performed
in conjunction with a facelift, it is not a substitute for such
surgery, nor will it prevent or slow the aging process. The following
information provides basic information about certain types of
chemical peel treatments and the results you might expect. It won't
answer all your questions, since a lot depends on your individual
circumstances. Once you and your plastic surgeon have decided on a
specific peel program, be sure to ask about any details that you do
not understand.
|
Chemical peel is especially useful for the fine wrinkles on cheeks,
forehead, and around the eyes, and the vertical wrinkles around the
mouth.
|
Deciding if chemical peel is right for you
Chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons - to
enhance your appearance and your self confidence.
Chemical peel may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne
facial scars and even control acne. In certain cases, health
insurance may cover the peel procedure. Be sure to check your policy
and contact your insurance company before the procedure is performed.
|
The chemical solution can be applied to the entire face, or to a
specific area - for example, around the mouth - sometimes in
conjunction with a facelift.
|
Alphahydroxy
acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the
mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of
peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who
can't spare the time to recover from a phenol or TCA peel. AHA peels
may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven
pigmentation and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be
applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. Your
doctor will make this decision during your consultation and as the
treatment proceeds. An alphahydroxy acid,
such as glycolic acid, can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream
in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to
improve the skin's texture.
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.
All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk
|
At the end of a phenol peel, a thick layer of petroleum jelly may
be applied to the treated area.
|
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.
With a TCA peel, your healed skin will be able to produce pigment as
always; the peel will not bleach the skin. However, TCA-peel patients
are advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment
to protect the newly formed layers of skin. Even though TCA is milder
than phenol, it may also produce some unintended color changes in the
skin.
With a phenol peel, the new skin frequently loses its ability to make
pigment (that is, tan). This means that not only will the skin be
lighter in color, but you'll always have to protect it from the sun.
Phenol may pose a special risk for patients with a history of heart
disease. It's important that you make your surgeon aware of any heart
problems when your medical history is taken.
It is also possible that phenol will cause some undesired cosmetic
results, such as uneven pigment changes. Certain modified phenol
peels are gentler and may be preferred in some circumstances.
Peel formulas at a glance
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)
Uses:
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
Considerations:
A series of peels may be needed
As with most peel treatments, sunblock use is recommended
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Uses:
Smoothes out fine surface wrinkles
Removes superficial blemishes
Corrects pigment problems
Considerations:
Can be used on neck or other body areas
May require pre-treatment with Retin-A or
AHA creams
Treatment takes only 10-15 minutes
Preferred for darker-skinned patients
Peel depth can be adjusted
Repeat treatment may be needed to maintain results
Sunblock must be used for several months
Healing is usually quick, much quicker than with a phenol peel
Phenol
Uses:
Corrects blotches caused by: sun exposure, birth-control pills, aging
Smoothes out coarse wrinkles
Removes pre-cancerous growths
Considerations:
Used on the face only
Not recommended for dark-skinned individuals
Procedure may pose risk for patients with heart problems
Full-face treatment may take one hour or more
Recovery may be slow-Complete healing may take several months
May permanently remove facial freckles
Sun protection, including sunblock, must always be used
Results are dramatic and long-lasting?
Permanent skin lightening and lines of demarcation may occur
Planning for a chemical peel
|
A protective crust may be allowed to form over the new skin. When
it's removed, the skin will be bright pink.
|
In some states, no medical degree is required to
perform a chemical peel - even the strongest phenol peels. Many
states have laws that permit non-physicians to administer certain
peel solutions, but regulate the strengths which they are permitted
to apply. You should be warned that phenol and TCA peels have been
offered by inadequately trained practitioners claiming "miracle
techniques" to rejuvenate the skin.
It is very important that you find a physician who has adequate
training and experience in skin resurfacing. Your plastic surgeon may
offer you a choice of peel techniques or suggest a combination of
peels to obtain the best result for you.
During your initial consultation, it is important that you discuss
your expectations with your plastic surgeon. Don't hesitate to ask
any questions or express any concerns that you may have. Expect your
plastic surgeon to explain the planned procedure in detail, including
its risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs. If you
have a history of herpes, you should inform your physician prior to
the procedure. Remember, chemical peel treatments are usually not
covered by medical insurance unless they are performed for medically
related problems.
Preparing for your chemical peel
Your plastic surgeon will instruct you on how to prepare for your
peel treatment.
Sometimes Retin-A - a prescription
medication derived from Vitamin A - is used to pre-treat the skin.
This thins out the skin's surface layer, allowing the TCA solution to
penetrate more deeply and evenly. If your skin won't tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, an AHA cream may be used
instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in
conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre treatment, especially if you have blotchy
skin areas or pigmentation problems. You may have to spend a month or
more in the pre-treatment phase before the doctor will schedule your
actual peel.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and help you
out for a day or two if you are having a phenol or deeper TCA peel.
You probably won't need any extra assistance if you're having an AHA
peel or superficial TCA peel.
Where your peel will be performed
Most chemical peels may be safely performed in a plastic surgeon's
office, office-based surgical facility or outpatient surgical center.
Your plastic surgeon may want you to stay overnight in a facility or
hospital if other cosmetic procedures are performed simultaneously.
Types of anesthesia
Anesthesia isn't required for phenol or TCA
peels because the chemical solution acts as an anesthetic. However,
sedation may be used before and during the procedure to relax you and
keep you comfortable.
No anesthesia is needed for AHA peels since they cause only a slight
stinging sensation during application.
The peel
|
After healing, the skin is lighter in color, tighter, smoother, and
younger looking.
|
AHA peels/treatments: Your doctor will apply the AHA
solution to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually takes
no more than 10 minutes. No "after-peel" ointment or
covering is required. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic
treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved.
For some patients, the application of an AHA-based face wash or cream
once or twice a day at home will be sufficient to accomplish the
desired goal. Your plastic surgeon may add Retin-A
or a bleaching agent to your at home treatment schedule. After
several weeks of at-home use, your doctor will examine your skin to
determine if your regimen needs adjustment.
Phenol and TCA peels: Typically, the skin is first thoroughly
cleansed. Then, the surgeon will carefully apply the phenol or TCA
solution. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is
applied, but this feeling will quickly pass.
A full-face TCA peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Two or
more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those
may be spaced out over several months. Mild TCA peels may be repeated
as often as every month.
If phenol solution has been used, your plastic surgeon may coat the
treated area with petroleum jelly or a waterproof adhesive tape. With
lighter peels, no covering is necessary.
A full-face phenol peel generally takes one or two hours to perform,
while a phenol peel to a smaller facial region (perhaps the skin
above the upper lip) may take only 10 or 15 minutes. A single treatment
usually suffices.
After your treatment
After an AHA peel, it is common to experience some temporary flaking
or scaling, redness and dryness of the skin. However, these
conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment.
After a phenol or TCA peel, your doctor may prescribe a mild pain
medication to relieve any tingling or throbbing you may feel. If tape
was used to cover your face, it will be removed after a day or two. A
crust or scab will form on the treated area. To help your face heal
properly, it is essential that you follow your doctor's specific
post-operative instructions.
A TCA peel may also cause significant swelling, depending on the
strength of the peel used.
If you've had a phenol peel, your face may become quite swollen. Your
eyes may even be swollen shut temporarily. You will need someone to
help care for you for a day or two. You may also be limited to a
liquid diet and advised not to talk very much during the first few
days of recovery.
Getting back to normal
With an AHA peel, the temporary redness, flaking, and dryness that
you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your
normal activities. A fresher and improved skin texture will result
with continued AHA treatments. Remember, protecting your skin from
the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your
doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection
and use it every day.
With a TCA peel, the moderate discomfort and mild swelling you may
experience will subside within the first week. In about a week to ten
days, your new skin will be apparent and you should be healed
sufficiently to return to your normal activities. It is best to avoid
sun exposure unless you are adequately protected
With a phenol peel, new skin will begin to form in about seven to ten
days. Your face will be very red at first, gradually fading to a
pinkish color over the following weeks to months. During this time,
it is especially important that you use a sunblock or blotchy,
irregular skin coloring may result.
About two weeks after treatment, you may return to work and resume
some of your normal activities. Your skin will be healed enough for
you to wear makeup. (For makeup tips, ask your plastic surgeon for
the ASPRS brochure on camouflage cosmetics.)
Your new look
Improvements from AHA peels may be very subtle at
first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued
treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of
your skin.
The results of a TCA peel are usually not as long-lasting as those of
phenol peel. However, your skin will be noticeably smoother and
fresher-looking.
If you're planning a phenol peel, you can expect dramatic improvement
in the surface of your skin - fewer fine wrinkles, fewer blemishes
and more even-toned skin. Your results will be long-lasting, although
not immune to the effects of aging and sun exposure.
The information on this web site is only intended as
an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of
the result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
|
|
Fillers are used primarily to fill wrinkles, lines
and scars on the face and sometimes the neck, back and chest.
It is effective for treating:
1. Frown Lines 2. Glabellar Lines 3. Acne
Scars - Trauma Scars 4. Periorbital Lines
(Crow's Feet) 5. Perioral Lines 6. Nasolabial
Folds (Smile Lines) 7. Vermillion Border (Lip Lines) 8. Melolabial Lines (Marionette Lines)
|
Injectable filler or fat can help improve the skin's texture by
filling in the laugh lines and facial creases that often occur with
aging.
|
The Filler is injected using a fine needle inserted at several points
along the edge of the treatment site. If a local anesthesia has not
been used, you may feel some minor stinging or burning as the
injections are administered.
|
Years of squinting and other facial muscle movements can take their
toll on the eye area, leaving crow's feet and other noticeable
lines.
|
Immediately following treatment, you may notice some
minor discomfort, or stinging in the injected area. Occasionally some
bruising or swelling will occur, but it is usually minor. Any redness
that appears in the injected site usually disappears within 24 hours.
However, in some individuals, particularly fair-skinned patients,
this redness may persist for a week or more.
No bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink, and wear
makeup with sunblock protection shortly thereafter. There may be some
temporary swelling and redness in the treated area which should
dissipate within a few days. If these symptoms persist, contact your
surgeon.
|
With regular follow-up treatments, your refreshed look can be
easily maintained. As stated earlier, the duration of results from
injections is variable.
|
Your doctor can help you determine how long you can
go between treatments to best maintain your results.
The information on this web site is only intended as
an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of
the result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
|
