Chemical Peel
Minimally Invasive Procedure
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers.
What is a medium chemical peel?
Acne scars, deeper wrinkles and uneven skin color can all be treated with a medium chemical peel.
The chemicals used for this type of peel will remove skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis).
Agents frequently used for medium depth chemical peeling include TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Jessner's solution and glycolic acid.
Medium chemical peel procedure steps
- Your face will be cleansed.
- The chemical solution is brushed onto your skin and left for just a few minutes. You may feel some burning or stinging.
- The treated area may turn a whitish grey color.
- The chemicals are neutralized with a cool saline compress.
- Your skin may turn red or brown in the days just after the peel. The peeling process typically starts within 48 hours and lasts for a week. It is important to keep the skin well moisturized during the peeling process.
Medium chemical peel risks and recovery
When trichloroacetic acid is used in a medium chemical peel, you'll experience some redness, stinging and flaking of the skin. Commonly, symptoms are similar to those of a deep sunburn.
Although these chemicals won't bleach your skin, you may see some color changes. You're advised to avoid the sun and to use sunblock for several months to protect that fresh new layer of skin.
Other medium chemical peel risks include:
- Hyperpigmentation (when too much pigment occurs, causing brown blotches) may result even if you use sunscreen.
- Permanent scarring is another infrequent risk.
- Redness, which occurs in everyone after the peel, may last longer than a few months for some people.
Surgeons In Your Area
Timothy Mountcastle
U.S. Board Certified Suite 430, 44095 Pipeline PlazaAshburn, VA 20147
United States
Shlomo Widder
U.S. Board Certified Suite 630, 8230 Leesburg PikeVienna, VA 22182-2641
United States
Wendy Gottlieb
U.S. Board Certified Suite 418, 1800 Town Center DriveReston, VA 20190
United States
Haven Barlow
U.S. Board Certified Suite 730, 8100 Boone BoulevardVienna, VA 22182
United States
Timothy Mountcastle
U.S. Board Certified Suite 430, 44095 Pipeline PlazaAshburn, VA 20147
United States
Shlomo Widder
U.S. Board Certified Suite 630, 8230 Leesburg PikeVienna, VA 22182-2641
United States
Wendy Gottlieb
U.S. Board Certified Suite 418, 1800 Town Center DriveReston, VA 20190
United States
Haven Barlow
U.S. Board Certified Suite 730, 8100 Boone BoulevardVienna, VA 22182
United States