1. What is a Chemical
Peel?
2. When can a Chemical Peel be performed?
3. What does a typical Chemical Peel consultation entail?
4. How is a Chemical Peel performed?
5. What should I expect post-operatively?
6. Will it hurt?
7. When will I be able to see the results?
8. What are the risks of a Chemical Peel?
9. What is Arnica montana or Bromelain, I have heard that these
homeopathics reduce swelling and bruising? Which is the best kind to take?
10. Are the results permanent?
1. What is a
Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is the use
of chemicals such as AHA's, Trichloracetic acid (TCA) or Phenol to remove
layers of damaged or aged skin to reveal newer, softer, younger looking skin.
A chemical peel can be performed whenever there
is damage to be removed. It is best performed in the winter when sun
exposure is at a minimum and usually after a rigorous skin care regimen.
The age limit is usually the early teens.
You will discuss your many options after having a
full skin type evaluation and skin elasticity check. Your skincare
specialist will go over what avenues you may take to achieve your desired goal.
You may be surprised that for many complaints a good skin care program
will be sufficient.
The need for sedation depends
upon the depth of the peel. After your skin has been primed through skin
care or microdermabrasion, you will have your skin scrubbed and a mild toner
used to remove the natural surface oils. Layers of the acid are gently and
expertly applied to your skin, with care being taken as to not overlap.
Overlapping can cause demarcation lines and or skin damage. The timer is
set and the physician or skin care specialist neutralizes the acid and removes
the product. Your skin is then wiped clean and a moisturizer or anti
bacterial ointment is applied to the skin.
Sometimes a membrane is applied to help with
comfort and healing - some of these may be burn dressing membranes, or
commercially available masks such as the HydroGold Full Face Gel Mask® from www.BioDermis.com. But
ALWAYS ask your physician before using any product post-operatively. Masks
such as this are usually reserved for more serious peels (Phenol, Obagi Blue,
Laser, etc) as they can be quite pricey.
Another product is made from crushed and bleached
crab shells which has antibacterial properties. The attached gauze dressing is
changed but the membrane is left intact. No known bacteria can grow on
this new-type membrane. Please see our
Chemical Peel Section
for more information.
You will feel as though your skin
has a windburn or sunburn and will find that your skin is tight. Do not
make excessive or widely exaggerated facial expressions. This can tearing
of the skin and bleeding, hence -- scarring. Just let your skin heal
naturally and do not peel or tug on ANY skin that may peel from the face.
You can cause excessive damage resulting in severe scarring if you do this.
Please read our Chemical Peel Section of more
information on what to expect.
You may experience a warm or
tingling sensation and depending upon the strength of the peel -- a stinging
sensation. Your physician may place a fan on low speed to help with any
type of discomfort.
You will start noticing pink,
fresh skin emerging from under the peeling, damaged skin. Remember not to help the peel along by pulling or rubbing this
old skin
off. Within a few weeks the pinkness will fade for most, light peels.
Depending upon the depth of the peel you may have lingering pinkness which may
look like a mild sunburn or flushed appearance. Your physician will go
over what to expect for the depth of the peel you undergo.
If you have oral herpes.
You MUST gain the approval of your primary physician and seek a prescription for
oral acyclovir - one brand name is Zovirax®. This is very
important! Zovirax® can significantly decrease your chances of a break
out. If you have a break out during your healing period, it can spread to
your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.
Be careful of crusting or
excessive weeping. In AHA peels you may think this is normal but there is
a borderline appearances that you must watch out for. Ask your skin care
specialist for specifics regarding what to look for. If for a typical AHA
peel, you should feel and look normal within 3-4 days. For deeper peels
your downtime may take weeks and then months for complete recovery.
If you experience painful areas of the face, contact your surgeon or skin care
specialist immediately - ESPECIALLY if you are prone to cold sores.
Blisters that form will need to be treated immediately!
Hyperpigmentations (excessive
coloration) and hypopigmentation (lack of pigmentation) can be problematic of
misdiagnosed skin types, failure to reveal any skin problems or ethnicity and
improper post-peel care. Infection is uncommon but possible so keep an eye
out for redness and pain.
Scarring is a problem if the
above is experienced so please adhere to your post-peel instructions to decrease
your chances of long term or permanent, visible signs of damage.
also known as:
Mountain
Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane and Sneezewort
plant family: Asteraceae
type: Herbaceous perennial
parts used: Roots and flowers
description: Arnica montana or Leopard's Bane is a perennial herb,
growing close to the ground. The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of
which rises a flower stalk, 1 to 2 feet high, bearing orange-yellow flowers. The
rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry
rootlets on the under surface.
habitat: Indigenous to Central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures,
although it has been found in England and Southern Scotland.
warning: This herb should NEVER be taken in raw form. This plant, like
many medicinal plants if ingested, can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal
cramping and sickness. Homeopathy is the medicinal use of tinctures and
suspensions using herbs and other plants and should never be consumed without
proper preparation. Only respectable homeopathic remedies and tinctures should
be consumed.
Bromelain
from the plant of the: Pineapple
also known as: Ananas, Nanas, Pina
plant family: Bromeliaceae
type:
herbaceous
perennial
parts used: mostly in the stems of pineapples, but some fruit is used as
well.
description: 2 1/2 to 5 ft. high with a spread of 3 to 4 ft. The plant is
like a thick stem with a rosette of wide, waxy leaves. These pointed
green, red, and white/off white striped leaves are approximately 18 - 70 inches
long and graced with a spiny needle-like tip. The
plant produces a sweet to tangy and sometimes sour fruit that is yellow to white
in color. The unpeeled fruit is brownish with a hard, spiky covering and a large
green sprout from it crown. The fruit is shaped like a coffee can with rounded
ends and is about 10-12 inches long usually when considered prime and may even
weigh up to 10 lbs.
habitat: Indigenous
to southern Brazil and Paraguay, The fruit
is now grown all over in green houses and in the fields of Spain, Guatemala,
Hawaii and more. The pineapple is a tropical plant and thrives in hot, humid
places. Although it can survive cold snaps, it is not recommended for the more
northern areas if intended to be grown outdoors.
Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory formula
containing the proteolytic enzyme from the stems of pineapples.
Proteolytic enzymes are capable of dissolving proteins. It is most often used
after sports injuries, to relive edema and after surgical procedures to help
with swelling.
ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON FIRST
BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION.
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10.
Are the results permanent?
The results are as permanent as you
intend on taking care of your skin thereafter. If you continue to
sunbathe, smoke, not take care of your skin, etc. - your skin will become
damaged again. Although you will. of course, continue to age - your
wrinkles will be softened and your appearance made fresher depending upon the
depth of the peel. Taking care of your skin and using quality
maintenance and prevention products like a high SPF sun block will most
certainly help you retain the rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
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