Facial plastic surgery

Chemical peeling

A chemical peel is a body treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the skin to blister and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Thus the term chemical peel is derived.

Indication

Chemical peels are performed on the face, neck or hands. They can be used to:

• Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth.
  
  
• Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors.
  
  
• Improve the appearance of mild scarring.
  
  
• Treat certain types of acne.
  
  
• Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills (melasma).
  
  
• Improve the look and feel of skin that is dull in texture and color.
  
  
• Areas of sun damage, which may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots, may improve after chemical peeling. Following treatment, new pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.

However, sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may require other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for each individual case.