CHEMICAL PEEL

Rediscover soft, smooth skin with our chemical peels for results to be noticed. Just.

What is a chemical peel?

A popular treatment for skin rejuvenation and maintenance, chemical peels come in a range of strengths: superficial, medium or deep.

The most popular chemical face peels are superficial because they often require minimal to no recovery time and are safe for most skin types.

What are the chemical peel benefits?

Chemical peels are the perfect facial treatment to significantly improve the texture of your skin.

Ordinary chemical peels remove damaged outer layers of skin for chemical peel results of smoother skin, reduce scarring and remove blemishes. Peels can be combined with other procedures, such as injectables for additional improvement to skin.

Chemical peels have been proven to:

• Improve the texture and appearance of skin
• Reduce lines and wrinkles under the eyes and around the mouth
• Address anti-aging and sun damage
• Treat acne scars
• Treat active acne flare ups
• A decrease in the visibility of freckles, age spots and the dark patches that result from the use of birth control pills or pregnancy (melasma).

Because we offer many chemical peel options, we can formulate precisely the right treatment and best chemical peel that will be the most effective for your individual skin. See our chemical peel before and after pictures here.

How do chemical peels work?

Great question. Varying in strength from mild to strong, there are three types: superficial, medium, and deep.

Chemical peeling agents resurface the skin by causing what is called a controlled wound and removing superficial layers of the skin. As the skin heals, the damaged outer skin peels off, exposing and promoting the growth of the healthy new skin underneath that’s typically smoother and brighter.

Chemical peels improve skin problems like hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture and skin impurities. The strength of each peel can be tailored to your needs or preference.

Is a chemical peel right for me?

Can you have a chemical peel for dark spots? What about a chemical peel for melasma? Or even a chemical peel for hyperpigmentation? Should you have a chemical peel for acne scars? These are all questions we regularly hear from our patients.

If you’re looking to improve the texture and appearance of your skin whether that’s due to damage from aging, the sun, acne, acne scarring, or dark spots from pregnancy, you are a good candidate for a chemical peel.

We’ll work with you to customize the right chemical skin peel treatment for your concerns and skin type.

 

Who is not suitable for a chemical peel?

We advise against having a chemical peel if you have any of the following at the peel site:

• Infection or disease
• Cut or broken skin
• Sunburn
• Currently have an active Herpes simplex 1 sore (culd sore)
• If you are nursing or pregnant
• If you have taken Accutane in the past 6 months
• If you currently have Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis or Rosacea.
• If you have used any of the following drugs in the last 48 hours: Retin-A, Renova, prescription skin care products, products that contain ascorbic acid, bleaching or skin-lightening agents, or other acid products.

What should I expect after a chemical peel?

Your chemical peel recovery time will vary based on the type and strength of the peel and how your skin responds to the treatment.

Immediately after the peel, your skin will feel tight and maybe pink. Any visible peeling will be light and fluffy and easily controlled with moisturizer. Peeling usually lasts three to five days, depending on the actual peel treatment.

The use of a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is important, as it will enhance the healing process and results. Normal activity may be resumed after the peel, however, strenuous exercise and heavy sweating should be avoided for two to three days. Sun exposure should be avoided while skin is peeling; exposure of treated skin to a lot of heat should also be avoided as it may induce swelling, redness, and deeper peels blisters under the skin.

Peeling skin should be allowed to slough off naturally; DO NOT pick peeling or flaking skin as it may lead to scarring. Use of prescription topicals should be avoided for three to five days post peel. You can resume your normal skincare routine with more active ingredients after five to seven days.

Are chemical peels safe?

The stories of a chemical peel gone wrong or chemical peel burns are often from DIY chemical peels or treatments performed by those without the necessary experience or qualifications.

Having your chemical peels done by an expert ensures a safe experience. Dr. Purewal is known for her exceptional skills and warm presence. She specializes in performing non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures and cosmetic eyelid surgery and is also an expert injector as well as a Board-Certified Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon.

What chemical peel do you offer?

We offer a variety of superficial peels that may easily be combined with your in-office treatments such as injectables, dermaplaning or YumiLash Lift. Our Fresh Face + Eye Brightening Peel is well known as an effective treatment for Melasma.

How many chemical peel treatments will I need?

The effects of chemical peels are cumulative with time and improved with the use of good homecare products. We recommend a series of peels - typically a minimum of three to six for best results.

What’s the difference between microdermabrasion vs peel?

Each method removes the most superficial layer of the skin, however, microdermabrasion does this mechanically while the chemical peel process does this chemically.

The two techniques can be combined in experienced hands for enhanced results.

Which peel is best for me?

We take a number of specific criteria into consideration when selecting a peeling agent, including skin type, age, lifestyle, current skincare regimen, and previous skin treatments.

Once your specific needs are understood, we can establish realistic expectations and healing times and make the best recommendation.

With a minimally-invasive chemical peel at Fresh Face + Eye NJ office, Dr. Purewal can improve the texture of your skin, reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines, remove skin impurities and address skin inconsistencies like hyperpigmentation. Your skin is left looking clearer, more vibrant and youthful.

What’s the difference between the superficial, medium-depth and deep peels?

The depth at which a chemical peeling agent removes skin is what determines the treatment classification.

A recap of the three types of chemical peeling agents:

• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) – This agent is used for medium and deep peels.
• Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) – Alpha-hydroxy acids include lactic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid. These agents are used for superficial peels.
• Phenul – This is the most powerful chemical agent and is used for deep skin peels.

The treatment level that you receive is determined by your skin characteristics and specific needs. During your initial consultation, we’ll establish the best treatment for optimal results, taking into account both your skin type and tone.

How do you classify skin types?

The Fitzpatrick scale is used to help classify your skin type and to determine the best chemical peel for your needs.

The Fitzpatrick scale offers six skin-type classifications:

• White skin that never tans and always burns.
• White skin that can tan, but usually burns.
• Darker white skin that tans, but can slightly burn.
• Moderate brown skin that can tan easily and rarely burns.
• Dark brown skin that tans easily and very rarely burns.
• Black skin that tans very easily and does not burn.

Those with skin types one, two, or three are at a lower risk of experiencing color changes in their skin or scarring following a chemical peel. As a result, all three types of peels may be a safe option.

People with skin types four, five, or six are at an increased risk of experiencing skin color changes (i.e., patches) or scarring when the deeper chemical peels are used. Here, we recommend superficial facial peels for those with these skin types.

What do superficial chemical peels treat?

You can try chemical peels for acne, fine wrinkles, dark spots, or large pores.

A superficial peel removes damaged skin cells from your epidermis, however, there are chemical peels available that penetrate deeper.

After treatment, your skin may feel slightly tight and “very clean” with occasional mild irritation if a stronger concentration has been used. There may be some flaking of the skin. Healing time varies but is usually very fast, from one to two days.

After having this treatment, you must protect the new skin from UV rays by wearing sunscreen following this treatment.

It can take from three to five professional treatments for you to see optimal results. Treatments can be performed every two to five weeks.

What does the term ‘frosting’ mean when we talk about the aftereffects of chemical peel treatment?

Some of the agents used during this treatment cause a white coating to develop which is frequently referred to as frosting.

Frosting has three levels:

• White patches over red skin.
• A white coating over red skin.
• Complete facial coverage with very little redness beneath.

Frosting occurs at the end stage of the healing process and helps Dr. Purewal to determine how effective your peel has been.

Recovery times vary and are based on treatment depth as well as how well your skin responds to the chemical agent used.

What happens during a chemical peel at New Jersey’s Fresh Face + Eye?

First, your skin is thoroughly cleaned.

The chemical agent is applied, which causes the controlled wound to develop.

Most patients feel a burning sensation: This sensation lasts for about 10 minutes.

This burning is followed by stinging. A fan may be used to ease the stinging sensation. After healing, damaged skin is replaced with smooth, vibrant skin.

Are there any side effects associated with a chemical peel?

Side effects following this treatment are usually quite mild. However, with treatments like this, there is a possibility for the development of more serious side effects.

Patients who have darker skin may experience changes in the color of their skin. These changes can be temporary or permanent. Women who take birth control pills have recently been pregnant and those who have a family history of facial discoloration, may be more likely to experience this complication.

The risk of scarring is low and usually occurs in the most sensitive areas of the face. If scarring does occur, treatment results tend to be favorable.

If you have a history of developing cold sores, you may experience an outbreak. However, Dr. Purewal can provide you with medication to prevent this breakout or medication to treat the cold sores in the event that a breakout occurs. For this reason, please tell us if you are prone to these outbreaks during your initial consultation.

How much is a chemical peel?

The chemical peel price varies based on the type and what you’re wanting to accomplish. After examining your skin and goals, Dr. Purewal can determine the chemical peel cost.

Would health insurance pay for this kind of treatment?

Since this is a cosmetic treatment, health insurance does not cover it

Dr. Purewal is known for her exceptional skills and her warm presence. She specializes in performing non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures and cosmetic eyelid surgery. In addition, Dr. Baljeet Purewal is an expert injector as well as a Board-Certified Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon. Call (973) 635-4000 or click here to make an appointment at her state-of-the-art New Jersey office. Dr. Purewal’s office is at 82 Main Street in Chatham, NJ.