Chemical Peel
Q:
I am a 36 year old female who has had a problem with acne since my early twenties. Would a chemical peel possibly help my skin?
A:
A chemical peel may be helpful for some types of acne scarring, but may not eliminate acne problems. If your concern is with continued acne breakouts and persistent skin problems, then you may be best served by a consultation with a dermatologist. If you want to decrease the scarring or effects of prior acne problems, then an evaluation by a plastic surgeon and his/her aesthetician team may yield some skin care options up to and including chemical peels.
The best treatment for your skin will depend on the nature of the skin changes (such as depth and number of scars) and your skin characteristics (such as oiliness and pigmentation), so that one particular treatment -like chemical peel- will not fit everyone's needs.
Q:
I am a 16 year old female. I would like to know whether phenol peels are offered to younger people who are suffering from hyper pigmentation. This resulted from Melasma due to oral contraceptives for hormone corrections and to fix hirsutism and other discolorations that are from hair removal. These things have greatly affected my skin color and detract from my appearance. Can I have a phenol peel at my age and will it take care of the problem?
A:
I would not recommend a phenol peel as the first line of treatment. I would consider a skin care program including Retin A and Hydroquinine, perhaps followed by a TCA peel. This is less invasive for Melasma.
Q:
I would like to get a TCA peel done, but I just had a baby and I am breastfeeding. Would a TCA peel affect the breast milk?
A:
Although there is not a great deal of evidence on the subject, it is always safest to assume that any substance can affect breast milk. Since the peel is elective and can be done at any time, I would wait until after you are finished breastfeeding and then have the peel if that is the approach to facial rejuvenation that is recommended by your plastic surgeon.
Q:
I have a medium complexion. After a deep facial chemical peel, will the skin on my neck blend in with the newer skin on my face?
A:
To avoid complications post-peel, it is important to prepare the skin, restoring healthy skin function, prior to any deep facial peel. In our office, we insist that patients undergoing dermabrasion or a deep chemical peel prepare their skin for a minimum of six weeks, preferably 12 weeks, with the Obagi Nuderm system. We utilize a daily protocol, along with 2 to 3 microdermabrasion treatments in the office. The daily use of hydroquinone and tretinoin, as well as sun protection, are the hallmarks of this protocol. The same products can be applied to the neck twice a week. Also, proper application of the chemical peel is essential, with a feathering approach under the jaw line to reduce the color difference.
Q:
I am considering a chemical peel but have a scattering of tiny red dots on my skin. They look like small pin prick marks. I believe they are probably burst blood vessels. Will a chemical peel highlight these even more and leave my skin smooth, but covered with red dots? Do they need to be treated separately or will they also disappear during the procedure?
A:
Many situations can cause the "tiny red dots." If they are broken blood vessels, in some cases laser treatment(s) may be helpful. On the other hand, the redness that you refer to could be rosacea which may need to be treated with topical agents. The key element is to first obtain an accurate diagnosis by consulting with a plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. A qualified plastic surgeon can help you pick the appropriate treatment.
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