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Planning for a Chemical Peel During your initial consultation, it is very important that you discuss your expectations with the doctor. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you may have about chemical peels. Prior to the chemical peel you may as to have the Dermatologist explain the planned procedure in detail, including its risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs. Remember, chemical peel treatments are usually not covered by medical insurance unless they are performed for medically related problems. Preparing for Your Chemical Peel Board Certified Dermatologist, Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD, will instruct you on how to prepare for your peel treatment. Sometimes Retin A - a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A - is used to pre-treat the skin. This thins out the skin's surface layer, allowing the TCA solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. If your skin won't tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, an AHA cream may be used instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre-treatment, especially if you have blotchy skin areas or pigmentation problems. Where Will Your Chemical Peel be Preformed Your chemical peel will be performed in Board Certified Dermatologist, Babar K. Rao's Manhattan, New York or Fresno, California office. About the Chemical Peel Procedure AHA peels/treatments: Board Certified Dermatologist, Babar K. Rao will apply the AHA solution to your cleansed facial skin, a process that usually takes no more than 10 minutes. No "after-peel" ointment or covering is required. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatmentsmay be necessary until the desired effects are achieved. For some patients, the application of an AHA-based face wash or cream once or twice a day at home will be sufficient to accomplish the desired goal. Your plastic surgeon may add Retin-A or a bleaching agent to your at-home treatment schedule. After several weeks of at-home use, the dermatologist will examine your skin to determine if your regimen needs adjustment. TCA peels: Typically, the skin is first thoroughly cleansed. Then, the dermatologist will carefully apply the TCA solution. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. A full-face TCA peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months. Mild TCA peels may be repeated as often as every month. After Your Chemical Peel After an AHA peel, it is very common to experience some temporary flaking or scaling, redness and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment. After a TCA peel, you will exeperience flaking and scaling. It may also cause significant swelling, depending on the strength of the peel used The doctor may prescribe a mild pain medication to relieve any tingling or throbbing you may feel. A crust or scab will form on the treated area. To help your face heal properly, it is essential that you follow your doctor's specific post-operative instructions. Getting Back to Normal After Your Chemical Peel With an AHA peel, the temporary redness, flaking and dryness that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. A fresher and improved skin texture will result with continued AHA treatments. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Please ask your dermatologist to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day. With a TCA peel, the moderate discomfort and mild swelling you may experience should subside within the first week. In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent and you should be healed sufficiently to return to your normal activities. It is best to avoid sun exposure unless you are adequately protected. About two weeks after treatment, you may return to work and resume some of your normal activities. Your skin will be healed enough for you to wear makeup. Your New Look After Your Chemical Peel Improvements from AHA peels may be very subtle at first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of your skin. The results of a TCA peel are usually not as long-lasting as those of other peels. However, your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher-looking.
If you have any questions about chemical peels, or any questions about our dermatology or dermatopathology procedures please feel free to contact Board Certified Dermatologist, Board Certified Dermatopathologist, Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD at his Manhattan, New York, Newbrunswick, New Jersey, or Fresno, California offices.
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Copyright © 2009, Skin and Cancer Center, Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, Board Certified Dermatopathologist, Manhattan, New York Manhattan, New York:
The Skin and Cancer Center of New York, 345 East 37th Street, Suite 317,
Manhattan, New York 10016 Phone: 212-949-0393
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Chemical Peels