Recovery Time For a Chemical Peel

Chemical peels are typically performed when a patient is interested in reversing damaged skin due to factors such as sun exposure, aging and most generally acne. Chemical peels are a process of using an exfoliating solution to enhance and smooth the texture of the skin by removing the damaged outer layers and reveal the revitalized underlying layers of skin.

The process has been proven extremely effective for those patients that suffer from facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. The recovery time can depend upon several factors.

What type of chemical peel was performed
How deep or how many layers of skin the peel was performed on
How well the patient follows the skin care instructions after the process

With any type of chemical peel it's vital that you take proper care of your skin to speed the healing process. Avoid any type of infection, help the results last longer, avoid any type of damage to the delicate skin and avoid any color changes to the affected area by the sun. The different types of chemical peels are;

Mild-alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
Medium-tricholoacetic acid (TCA)
Deep-phenol

In general, the deeper the peel the more dramatic a result is seen and the more danger in developing complications as a result of the procedure. Common side effects are redness, flaking, scaling and increased skin sensitivity. The healing time being shorter of course for the milder form of chemical peel and relatively longer for the more intense or deeper the chemical peel.

Following the medium (TCA) treatment your skin may experience some swelling as well as short-term changes in the pigmentation. The deep (phenol) chemical peels are the most severe and generally need a local anesthetic and a mild sedation for the patient during the process.

Because the phenol or deep chemical peel is the most invasive, the most obvious side effect is pigment discoloration. If you are considering a the process, consult with your dermatologists to decide which treatment will offer the best results for your condition.

Your doctor can also give you a recovery plan for after the procedure to assure your healing has the least amount of side effects and best healing process. Recovery time can vary depending upon the patient and the type of peel performed.

Patients are typically required to wash their face often after during the first week, usually 4 times per day. Pain relievers are needed for any post-operative pain for the first one to four days for the medium to deep procedure. Avoid scratching your face after the surgery to avoid any scarring of the delicate layers of skin that are exposed after the peel. Drinking lots of water and plenty of moisturizer is wonderful to help speed the healing process.

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most important factors after having a chemical peel performed. Avoid sun exposure and always wear sun block with an spf of at least 15. Many doctors suggest avoiding the sun completely for the first couple of days after having the chemical peel.

Your mental health as well as physical health is important in healing after your procedure. There is considerable "crusting" of the face and swelling after having the peel done and many patients having a positive attitude and emotional stability can help with healing.

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