Chemical peels may sound harsh for removing your topmost layer of skin, but they remove damaged and dead skin cells that keep your skin from properly renewing. A chemical peel enhances your skin’s ability to renew and refresh for a healthy, youthful glow. Longwood Plastic Surgery has the latest in chemical peel technology for almost any skin type or condition.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels have become much more refined since gaining popularity in the 90s. Blending specific concentrations of trichloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid, and glycolic acids takes what a chemical peel can do for your skin to a whole new level by removing the detritus of the damaged epidermis. At LPS, we offer 3 chemical peel options from PCA SKIN, the first company to enhance Jessner’s peel—a combination of lactic, salicylic, kojic, and citric acids blended with resorcinol for even the most sensitive patient’s comfort and safety. PCA SKIN peels can improve the following:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Acne blemishes and scarring
- Hyperpigmentation, rosacea, melasma
- Uneven tone and texture concerns
What Chemical Peels are Available at Longwood Plastic Surgery?
The Sensi Peel® blends 12% lactic acid, 6% TCA, azelaic and kojic acids, arbutin, marshmallow root extract, linseed oil, and sweet almond oil. Ideal for sensitive or ethnic skin types, this peel produces only mild tingling. The Sensi Peel® brightens skin, which improves rosacea, melasma, or other hyperpigmentation concerns and sun damage, and clarifies skin for a radiant glow. It’s also great to cleanse away blemishes.
The Ultra Peel® is a 20% lactic acid, 10% TCA solution aimed for the more mature patient. If you’ve suffered skin damage from smoking, acne, or the sun, this exfoliant can be tailored to be as moderate or aggressive as you require. Also containing azelaic and kojic acids, arbutin, Vitamin C, chaste tree berry extract, linseed oil, and sweet almond oils, the Ultra Peel® softens and hydrates mature skin to bring back the volume and softness of youth.
The Jessner enhanced formula of the PCA Peel with HQ® contains 14% of both lactic and salicylic acids to inhibit pigment production, repair acne damage, prevent new acne from forming by controlling oils, and smoothing away texture irregularities and lines and wrinkles for a brighter, clearer complexion.
Some patients need a little more, however, so LPS offers 2 additional depths of chemical peel, 20% and 35% TCA. These require a LPS practitioner with more specialized training to oversee the treatment. While the 20% solution can be administered in our offices, the 35% option is conducted in the LPS accredited outpatient surgery suite under general anesthesia. Deeper chemical peels reach into the dermis, stimulating collagen and elastin production, which help firm the skin and improve deeper wrinkles and significant acne scarring or more serious issues.
What is a Chemical Peel Recovery Like?
That depends on the depth of the peel for you. Your LPS procedure begins with topical numbing cream for your utmost comfort, and then your solution is applied for the optimal length of time. The acid is then neutralized and your skin is treated for thorough aftercare and recovery.
You’ll likely experience redness, dryness, and tightness. Sun damage, age spots, and hyperpigmentation may darken initially, then begin to peel, revealing fresh, revitalized skin beneath. You may require up to 10 days of recovery before you’ll be able to return to regular activities. The PCA SKIN® Post-Procedure Solution Kit will minimize your discomfort and recovery time.
What Results Can a Chemical Peel Achieve?
Within 2-3 weeks, you should see significant improvement which will accumulate over the next 3-6 months, revealing softer, more even, clearer, and brighter skin. Your vibrant youthfulness is rejuvenated, and your skin is nourished through hydration and restored volume.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about chemical peels? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.