Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin and then peeled off to remove the top layer of damaged, aging skin. By exposing a newer, younger layer of skin beneath the damaged skin, chemical peels give people a more even skin tone as well as smoother, less wrinkled skin.
 
Some conditions chemical peels treat include:
  • acne scars
  • blotchy skin tone
  • existing acne
  • precancerous growths
  • wrinkles caused by sun damage or aging.
Although most people receive chemical peels on their faces, skin on any area of the body (including the hands, arms, neck, chest and legs) can be improved by chemical peel treatments.

Types of Chemical Peels

Depending on your level of skin damage, specialists may use any combination (or simply one) of the following substances:
  • alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)
  • phenol
  • trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
While each of these chemicals penetrates the skin to a different level, they all do remove at least the top layer of treated skin. As a result, practitioners recommend that patients stay out of the sun as much as possible for several months after the procedure. If you have undergone a chemical peel and do need to be in the sun, use a strong, effective sunscreen and wear protective clothing.
 
Here are the various types of chemical peels, along with the associated strength, benefits and side effects of each.
  • Chemical Substance: AHAs, or Alphahydroxy acids

    • Strength: Mild
    • Areas of Use: anywhere on the body regardless of skin type
    • Advantages: controls acne, evens skin tone, improves skin damage, reduces fine wrinkles
    • Disadvantages, Possible Side Effects: crustiness, dry and flaky skin, redness, irritating stinging sensation on treated areas
    • Other Notes: AHA, naturally found in tomato juice and sugar cane juice, is best for those with sensitive skin.

  • Chemical Substance: TCA, or Trichloroacetic acid

    • Strength: Medium
    • Areas of Use: anywhere on the body for those with normal skin; face only for sensitive-skin individuals
    • Advantages: evens skin tone, removes surface blemishes, smoothes out more established (but not particularly deep) wrinkles
    • Disadvantages, Possible Side Effects: changes in skin pigmentation, the need for a series of treatments, long-term sun avoidance and/or sunscreen use to protect new skin
    • Other Notes: Darker-skinned individuals are advised to use this peel rather than phenol. Retin-A® or AHA creams may be a required pretreatment for TCA chemical peel.

  • Chemical Substance: Phenol

    • Strength: Strong
    • Areas of Use: face only for everyone
    • Advantages: evens extremely blotchy skin, removes pre-cancerous growths, smoothes deep wrinkles
    • Disadvantages, Possible Side Effects: painful procedure, long recovery period, permanent loss of skin pigmentation, scarring (especially if phenol is used on the body rather than the face), long-term sun avoidance and/or sunscreen use to protect new skin
    • Other Notes: As the strongest chemical peel, phenol is a painful procedure that requires general anesthesia. Phenol isn't recommended for those with dark skin or heart conditions.

      What are the Costs of Chemical Peels?

      The cost of chemical peels depends on the type of chemical used, the experience of your practitioner and the number of sessions you need to get the results you want. For example, while mild AHA chemical peels that provide a more shallow treatment tend to cost $150 to $300 per session, a full-face TCA chemical peel will run about $1,000 to $1,200 per session.
       
      For the most serious cases in which the phenol chemical solution is administered, peels can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $6,500 per treatment. Keep in mind this does not take into account any additional costs for repeated treatments (associated with both TCA and phenol), the anesthesiologist and/or hospital stay, if needed.
       
      Insurance may pay for some chemical peels if the doctor can make a case that it is medically necessary. However, for most patients, insurance companies won't cover the costs of the chemical peels.

      Choosing a Doctor

      Whenever you plan to get a cosmetic or medical procedure, be sure that you find a certified, experienced doctor to perform it. Keep in mind that not all states require chemical peel practitioners to have a medical degree, nor do they regulate the strengths of chemicals used. Consequently, check out your state's regulations and make sure that you choose an experienced practitioner.
       
      Once you find a practitioner with whom you are comfortable, take time to talk to him so that you fully understand what the procedure and recovery process entails. Similarly, talk to your doctor about the associated costs and the various treatment options so that you can find the right chemical peel for you.
       
      Resources
       
      American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2007). Chemical Peel. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from ASPS Web site: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures
      /ChemicalPeel.cfm.
       
      eVolve (2007). Cost of Chemical Peels. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Web site: http://www.aboardcertifiedplasticsurgeonresource.com/chemical
      _peel/cost.html.
       
      eVolve (2007). Side Effects of Chemical Peels. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Web site: http://www.aboardcertifiedplasticsurgeonresource.com/chemical
      _peel/side-effects.html.