351 Hospital Road, Suite 617
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 650-6710
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351 Hospital Road, Suite 617 |
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Chemical Peel and Laser Resurfacing in Newport BeachA chemical peel consists of peeling off the outer layers of the skin using a mild acid. It improves the fine wrinkling and blotchiness that occur with sun damage, as do Retin-A cream and bleaching agents. The changes however are faster and more dramatic. A choice of peeling agents such as phenol (carbolic acid), TCA (trichloroacetic acid), glycolic acid or resorcinol, and strengths are used according to the individual problem. The traditional phenol peel has largely been replaced by the laser, because it bleached the skin significantly. Laser resurfacing removes the outer layers of the skin by heat, usually with a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser. It is as effective as the strongest peel (phenol), but causes less color change. A milder laser resurfacing is obtained with the Erbium laser. Who is it for?Fine wrinkles are usually best treated by a peel. (A facelift is needed for the deeper wrinkles and sagging of the skin that occur with aging.) Sometimes both procedures are needed, then the chemical peel is done six weeks to six months after the face lift surgery. Fair skinned people with sun damage are the commonest candidates for a peel. Darker skinned people may also benefit when skin damage has resulted in uneven pigmentation. The T.C.A. peel can be used on the neck with only a low risk of scarring. The CO2 laser carries a higher risk of scarring if used on the neck, and scarring can also be a problem with the Erbium laser. Sometimes I combine use of the CO2 laser on the face with a T.C.A. peel of the neck. What to expect.With the newer T.C.A. peels, I usually pre-treat the skin with Retin-A for a month or two. Chemical peeling is sometimes performed with some sedation. No anesthesia is needed. A burning sensation occurs as the solution is applied, then the skin rapidly becomes numb. With T.C.A., the skin usually peels like a sunburn only. After the new skin grows, the face is pink for one to two months. Following your peel it is very important to stay out of the sun or use a sun blocking cream at all times, until the redness has settled. Sun exposure during this time may cause changes in skin color. A mild peel may be repeated several times to get the desired effect. Peeling improves skin tone and elasticity. Most of the fine wrinkles disappear. Interestingly, microscopic examination of the peeled skin shows that many of the changes of sun damage are reversed. CO2 Laser resurfacing requires general anesthesia or local anesthesia (injections to freeze the skin) with sedation. It is generally an out patient procedure. The skin is removed down to a raw surface, and heals over 7 to 10 days. Generally there is some redness for two to six months. Generally the CO2 laser gives more correction than the T.C.A. peel in return for the longer recovery period. I rarely use the Erbium laser, since the correction is very equivalent to a T.C.A. peel, but because of the cost of the laser, the patient cost is higher. If you are considering a Chemical Peel and are located in or around Orange County, please click here to contact Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Bailey, to setup a consultation. Before-and-After PicturesClick on a thumbnail for a larger image.
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