Table of Contents
What Areas Can Be Treated?
Chemical peels can be used on the full face or on specific regions, such as the forehead, around the eyes or mouth, the hands and chest. Although one peel can significantly improve the appearance of the skin, some skin problems are deeper than others and may require a series of treatments for best results.
Chemical peeling began in ancient Egypt, more than 5.000 years ago. Only fruit acids and lactic acids were then available. By the end of 19th century, physicians started using other peeling agents, such as salicylic acid, resorcinol, phenol and trichloroacetic acid. Later phenol was first used to remove acne scars. The advent of alpha hydroxy acids and trichloroacetic acid have made chemical peeling a safer and more popular procedure.
Superficial peels (Alpha Hydroxy Acid / Glycolic) are recommended to treat a variety of superficial conditions involving the epidermis and superficial dermis –
- mild actinic damage,
- superficial wrinkling
- sun spots – dyschromia
- actinic keratoses, and
- active acne.
Series of peels are recommended , over specified periods of time. They require minimal or no recovery time and are rarely associated with adverse reactions or complications. And they can be used on patients of any skin type, particularly if notable inflammatory responses are avoided.
Patients with tendencies for facial teleangectasias may find that these superficial peels and microdermabrasion may exacerbate their broken capillaries and are best avoided. Although effective in any age group, patients in their mid thirties with early dyspigmentation, fine wrinkles and mild actinic keratoses will find these peels a satisfying introduction to non-invasive facial therapies. With these peels we can achieve an improved appearance of the skin – more uniform in color and texture with less visible pores. The effects are cumulative with time – augmented with the use of homecare products – and require maintenance.
Superficial peels work well in combination with the other selections on the non-invasive facial rejuvenation menu – injectable therapies. With the exception of acne rosacea patients, most patients can benefit from this procedure. Medium depth peels are used primarily to treat moderate to severe dyschromia and moderate rhytidosis. It is an excellent therapeutic option for treating moderately photoaged skin (sun damage). Severe photoaging is more predictably managed with CO2 laser resurfacing
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Patient Selection
- Fitzpatrick classification
- Age of the patient (younger patients respond better)
- Lifestyle (sun exposure, alcohol, drugs, smoking)
- Current skin care regimen
- Previous skin treatments (including other chemical peels, use of various lasers or other technology aiming rejuvenation)
- Previous facial cosmetic surgeries
- Current medications
- Vitamin Supplementation
- Previous history of herpes simplex (pre-treat with Acyclovir or other antiviral agents)
- Realistic expectations and healing time
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