Phenol and trichloroacetic acid, TCA, chemical peel, facial peels
Chemical peels are when an acid solution is applied to the skin. This is meant to remove any blemishes on the skin, and is meant to help eliminate wrinkles. Depending on the depth needed, chemical peel treatments can take betwen 10 minutes to an hour.
Procedure: Restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin using a chemical solution to peel away skin’s top layers. Works best on fair, thin skin with superficial wrinkles.
Length: 1 to 2 hours for full face.
Anesthesia: None; sedation may be used
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Full-face phenol peel may require admission for 1 to 2 days.
Side Effects: Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness; acute sensitivity to sun. Permanent lightening of treated skin; permanent loss of ability to tan.
Risks: Tiny (temporary) whiteheads, infection, scarring, flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters, cold sores. Abnormal colour changes, heart irregularities (very rare).
Recovery: 7 to 21 days: Formation of new skin
2 to 4 weeks: Normal Activities
3 to 6 months: Fading of redness and total healing
Duration of Results: Variable