Skin is your body’s largest organ. The average person has about 20 square feet of it which translates to over 7 miles. This is a considerable amount of real estate so investing in procedures and products that can improve the skin’s appearance can be a smart use of both your money and time. As with all areas of aesthetics, however, a great result is always going to come down to choosing the exact right procedure or procedures for your individual anatomy, goals and lifestyle. A chemical peel is a non-surgical procedure for improving the appearance of your skin. Particularly nice for rejuvenating the area under the eyes and reducing the adverse effects of too much time in the sun, the end result of a chemical peel is smoother, plumper looking skin with the rosy glow that the human eye naturally perceives as being more healthy, youthful and vital.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Sean Doherty, understands the importance of skincare. Not only is it a critical component for helping his Boston area patients to look and feel like the best version of themselves, but the skin is also the canvas upon which any surgical or non-surgical procedure rests. When it comes to deciding whether or not a chemical peel may be the right option for you, it is very important to schedule an in-person consultation as there are some patients for whom a chemical peel may not be the best choice.
Chemical Peel Consultation in Boston
Instagram and social media have become a go-to resource for potential patients today. However, it’s smart to think of the internet as window shopping — great for investigating options, but you actually need to try the dress on to see if it fits. This is why the in-person consultation is a must. During your meeting, Dr. Doherty will listen attentively to what bothers you about your appearance. He will inquire into your medical history, family history, any prior procedures that you’ve had as well as how your body healed. A chemical peel can be a fantastic option for improving overall skin texture and tone by addressing:
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Uneven skin texture
- Brown spots
- Acne scars
- “Crepey” under eye area
However, a chemical peel is not right for every patient.
Ideal Candidate for a Chemical Peel
The ideal candidate for a chemical peel is any man or woman in good overall health who is unhappy with the appearance of their skin and who understands the limits of this procedure. Best for addressing a moderate amount of sun damage, a chemical peel patient needs to have good skin tone with only a minimal amount of laxity. As a non-surgical procedure, the improvement in skin tone is going to be subtle. Furthermore, a chemical peel is not a sound option for:
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone with a darker skin tone
- Those with cuts, open wounds or blisters, including herpes
If you have a history of facial or peri-oral herpes, a chemical peel may reactivate the virus, causing a breakout. Dr. Doherty will typically pre-treat these patients with an antiviral prior to their procedure. Furthermore, anyone considering a chemical peel needs to be comfortable with the recovery period of 3-6 days of intense redness and peeling skin followed by another week or two of pink, swollen tissue. Patients with darker skin tones need to be cautious when considering chemical peels as well as energy based treatments. Dr. Doherty will discuss any potential risks and then develop an individualized treatment plan to deliver rejuvenation while still keeping you safe.
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Realistic Chemical Peel Recovery
A fundamental component of an exemplary result following any aesthetic procedure is seeing a plastic surgeon who will be honest about what you can realistically expect in terms of recovery. A chemical peel can produce a significant improvement in skin texture. The trade-off for this potentially “wow” result is downtime. Your skin is going to be red, swollen and generally pissed off for the first 3-5 days. Avoiding the sun is critical during this period so Dr. Doherty advises his chemical peel patients to lay low. Take vacation or work from home, staying off Zoom if possible. This is not a red that can or should be covered by makeup. Around day 4-5, the top layers of your skin will begin to slough off like a snake shedding its skin. This will take another 2-3 days after which, your new skin will emerge. You can expect it to be pink and possibly a little swollen for another 1-2 weeks. It is imperative to slather yourself in an effective broadband sunscreen and wear a hat during this time as too much sun exposure could cause post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and/or burn your skin, both of which would be extremely counter productive.
Understanding TCA Chemical Peel Options
There are a wide variety of chemical peels. Each uses a different acid to stimulate the surface of your skin. Dr. Doherty employs a TCA peel which uses trichloroacetic acid in three levels of strength: 25%, 30% and 35%. The right one for you is going to depend on the severity of your skin’s needs as well as your tolerance for downtime. The procedure itself is performed in the office by Dr. Doherty. Depending on the intensity of the peel as well as your body’s unique pain threshold, he may prep your skin with a topical numbing agent or inject a local anesthetic. All of these options will be discussed with you in detail during your initial consultation. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes. You will be sent home with specific post-op instructions and will need to avoid exercise and the sun until Dr. Doherty gives you the ok. Although a chemical peel does require an investment of time for recovery, the results can be extraordinary and long-lasting assuming that you continue to practice excellent sun hygiene.
To find out more about a chemical peel, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.