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Frequent Questions About Chemical Peels Connecticut

Frequent Questions

Below you will find a list of frequent questions about Chemical Peels with answers provided by Connecticut Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Singer. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please write to info@implasticsurgery.com, be sure to include the procedure name and your question!

How is the procedure done?

After cleansing your treatment areas, your surgeon will apply a chemical solution. You should feel a slight burning sensation as it is applied, however, this will quickly pass because the solution also acts as a mild anesthetic. The chemical solution "peels" away your top layers of skin, which reveals new, fresher and smoother skin. Depending on the results you desire and the condition of your skin, your surgeon will perform either a light, medium or deep peel.

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How do I prepare for this procedure?

Your surgeon or medical aesthetician will evaluate your skin type, skin condition and the severity of any discolorations, wrinkling, scarring or age spots to pick the type of chemical peel that is appropriate for you. After making this determination, he or she will provide you with specific instructions on how to prepare for your chemical peel. It is important to be honest with your surgeon about your medical history and your hopes and expectations.

Your surgeon may or may not recommend a pretreatment routine for you to follow. A common pretreatment routine may include taking Retin A, which is a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A. Retin A thins your skin's surface layer, which allows chemical peel solutions to penetrate more evenly. If you have blotchy skin, your surgeon may prescribe a bleaching agent that is used in combination with Retin A. On occasion, patients may spend a month in pretreatment before their chemical peel procedure. However, every person's skin is different and your surgeon will provide you with specific details that apply to your pretreatment routine, if indeed one is required.

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How long does the procedure take?

A light peel usually only takes about 10 minutes to complete. To achieve your desired results, further peels may need to be scheduled at regular intervals. Medium peels normally take about 15 minutes to treat the entire face. Two or more peels spaced over several months may be required to achieve your goal. A full-face deep peel can take 12 hours to perform. However, a deep peel for a small area of the face can be done in as little as 15 minutes. A single treatment is normally enough.

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What form of anesthesia is used?

Anesthesia is not required for medium and deep peels because the chemical solution used also acts as an anesthetic. No anesthesia is used for light peels because the chemical used results in only a light stinging sensation. For all chemical peels a light sedative can be used to help relax you prior to and during your procedure.

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Can I return home the same day?

Chemical peels are performed on an outpatient basis so you may return home the same day. Your surgeon may require an overnight hospital stay if you are combining your chemical peel with other cosmetic surgeries.

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How long before I can return to normal activity?

After a light peel you will experience temporary dryness, redness and flaking. However, this will not prevent you from getting back to your normal routines almost immediately. After two weeks you should be able to wear makeup, which will help masque some of the redness.

With a medium peel you will experience some minor discomfort and swelling that will subside after the first week. After about ten days your new skin will be more evident and you should be ready to resume you daily activities.

A deep peel will normally require that you wait about two weeks to get back to most of your normal activities. At first your face will be very red, gradually fading to a lighter pink over the following weeks to months. You will experience greater swelling than with a medium peel, and it will take about ten days for your new skin to start emerging.

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