Chemical Peels

Your face may also age prematurely due to hereditary factors. It may show signs of irregular pigmentation (including freckles and age spots), or melasma, a dark pigmentation caused by pregnancy or birth control pills.

Chemical face peels remove that damage, with a few days of downtime.

Different types of chemical peels use different ingredients (like trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Glycolic Acid), affect different layers of skin, and provide different results, but they all work by causing a minor injury to the skin, which then sloughs off a superficial layer (much like a sunburn), revealing the new skin below.

Light, medium, and deep chemical peels address different issues, and the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery. Recovery can take a few days for a light chemical peel and longer for deeper peels.

Getting a chemical peel is not like getting a facial. As with any medical procedure, there are some risks. The acid contained in a chemical peel must be applied correctly, and be suited to your skin. The deeper the peel, the higher the risks. It’s important to choose a doctor to perform a chemical peel. Dr. Kayem will consult with you before any chemical peel.

Treated skin is sensitive while it heals, and following the aftercare instructions matters. In general:

• Protect the treated skin from the sun, and avoid tanning beds.
• Care for the skin exactly as instructed.
• Do not scratch the treated skin or pick at peeling skin or scabs.
• Do not apply makeup until the skin has healed.

Mild and medium peels can be repeated over time. A deep peel is done only once. Dr. Kayem will tell you which depth fits your skin and how often a peel can be repeated.

• Redness, which can last for a period after the peel
• Temporary darkening of the skin
• Lighter skin color, mainly after medium and deep peels
• Infection or scarring, which are rare

The risk of infection and scarring rises when the skin is exposed to the sun or the aftercare instructions are not followed.