Chemical Peels & Facial Rejuvenation

Answers to Most Common Questions About Chemical Peels:

What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is the process of placing a low-strength acid on the skin which results in peeling of the skin over the next several days. A chemical peel can be used to treat sun-related changes of the skin that result in premature aging including fine wrinkles, blemishes, dark spots and pre-cancers. After the peel, the skin in the area treated looks more youthful and “refreshed.”

Will it Hurt?

Most patients report a stinging or burning sensation soon after the chemical is placed on the skin. This is temporary and may last for five to ten minutes. Once the procedure is complete you will be given ice packs to place over the treated area that will quickly decrease the burning. If necessary, it is possible to apply a topical anesthetic to the skin prior to the procedure in order to minimize the discomfort from the stinging sensation. Most patients tolerate the procedure well even without the topical anesthetic.

Am I a Good Candidate?

If you want to remove dead skin layers and stimulate the growth of new skin cells, chemical peels are your ideal option. Chemical peels address a wide variety of skin conditions, including wrinkles, sun damage, acne, discolorations, rough patches, enlarged pores, and scars. Patients of all skin types and tones are candidates.

What Should I Expect During a Consultation?

During your consultation, we will listen to your cosmetic goals and concerns. We will discuss how chemical peels can help treat your skin problems. Your medical history will be evaluated, and we will perform allergy testing. We encourage you to tell us if you have tried any type of chemical peel previously.

We will choose the right chemical peel for your skin type and sensitivity. Based on your goals, we will create the best treatment plan using the chosen chemical peel. We will discuss all the details of the treatment plan, including preparation, the procedure, aftercare, and fees. All inquiries will be answered during your consultation.

What are the Risks of a Chemical Peel?

While Dr. Baucom strives to deliver the best chemical peel in Atlanta, some patients may get temporary darkening of the skin in the areas treated. This is more common in patients with darker skin tones. This risk is minimized by the use of Retin-A and bleaching cream, after the procedure. If you are someone who gets cold sores or fever blisters, you may be at risk for a viral infection in the area treated with the chemical peel. This risk is minimized with the use of anti-viral medication before and after the chemical peel. It is very important that these medications are used correctly, because if not, a viral infection could result in significant scarring.

What Should I Expect After the Chemical Peel?

When you leave the office after the peel, the area treated will be red with a slight whitish “frost.” You will have a thick layer of ointment covering the area treated as well. Over the next several days your skin will peel, just as if you have experienced a bad sunburn. Once the peeling has stopped the area treated will remain slightly pink for several more weeks. Usually by three weeks after the procedure the skin in the area treated looks normal.

Will I Have to Care for my Skin at Home After the Chemical Peel?

Yes. You will be given wound care instructions that consist of daily cleansing of the area treated with a non-soap based cleanser followed by a layer of Vaseline petroleum jelly. This will be continued until your skin stops peeling.

How Much Will a Chemical Peel Treatment Cost?

The cost of your chemical peel treatment will vary depending on the specific peel utilized. The number of peel sessions needed can also affect price.

Chemical Peel Pre-Op Instructions

Click here to download Chemical Peel Pre-Op Instructions

Click here to download Chemical Peel Post-Op Instructions

The exact chemical and strength used will be determined by Dr. Baucom and Dr. Mina, and will be based on the extent of sun damage present, your skin type, and your goals for the procedure.

Chemical peels are not covered by most medical insurance plans because they are performed for cosmetic reasons. Occasionally, a chemical peel might be considered for coverage by an insurer when the patient has extreme sun damage and many pre-cancers are present.

Before the Peel:

What to Expect During the Peel:

What Will I Look Like?

At first, the pink frost will fade to a mild to moderate redness very similar to a sunburn. This “sunburn” period will last for about one day, and you are usually reasonably presentable. The next stage is the damaged skin drying and separating – not very pretty. Your skin will take on a brown or bronze look and feel fairly dry and tight. As you peel off the old, sun-damaged skin, the fresh new pink skin will be revealed underneath. This is the period (usually a day or two) when your skin looks really blotchy and uneven. After the main peeling takes place, your skin will be fresh and somewhat pink, and you may resume makeup and cosmetics. Final fading or the pinkness will take a few weeks.

These are extremely important and must be followed religiously!

What to Expect

When you leave the office: you will look like you have a light pink or white “film” or frosting on your skin, and you will have a thin layer of ointment on the treated areas. The light-pink look will fade, leaving a mild redness like a sunburn, typically within an hour or two.

Daily: Keep all treated areas covered with a thin layer of Aquaphor or petroleum ointment (Vaseline). The ointment application will need to be repeated several times a day as necessary to keep the area from feeling dry. Your treatment area must not be allowed to dry out (with hard scabs and crusts); doing so will increase your risk of scarring.

At Night: Apply a thicker coat of ointment prior to going to bed. You may want to place a towel or an old T-shirt over your pillow.

You may decrease the amount and frequency of ointment each day as your skin heals, eventually just spot treating any residual peeling or raw areas. Most patients will actually peel more than once; with subsequent finer peeling over two to three weeks.

Continue the antiviral prescription for its entire course. Call the office immediately if you have signs of infection such as fever, blisters, pustules, or thick yellow or green drainage (not clear yellow – that is normal).

Itching can be treated with diphenhydramine (Benadryl) every four to six hours as needed. If this is not adequate, call the office.

Acne may flare up the week following resurfacing. Spot application of an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product, such as Clearasil for sensitive skin, will typically do the trick.

One to two weeks after the procedure:

  1. Begin tretinoin (Retin-A or Renova cream) every night or every other night as tolerated.
  2. Use a bleaching agent (Lustra, Glyquin, Melanex, Alphaquin, Solaquin, etc.) twice daily to minimize the risk of blotchy, dark pigmentation in the treated areas. This is not used on every patient, but if it is part of your treatment, expect to use it for approximately three months. Note: Patients using Tri-Luma are using a combination cream with tretinoin and a bleaching agent and do not need additional products.
  3. As soon as the skin has peeled (you no longer have “raw” spots), begin applying sunscreen EVERY DAY. Some people will experience stinging and sensitivity to regular sunscreen lotions for a few weeks following the peel. If this is a problem, use a chemical-free sunscreen or one designed for sensitive skin. Sunscreen will need to be used for at least six months following the procedure. We recommend that you plan to use sunscreen forever!

Contact Us to Learn More

If you want to know which chemical peel is appropriate for your skin type and aesthetic concerns, visit us at Atlanta Derm Surgery. We provide high-quality chemical peels in Atlanta. Contact us today to arrange your consultation!

Dermatology Surgery Center Locations

Sandy Springs

Medical Quarters
atlanta dermatology surgery center

Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC
5555 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd #206
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 844-0496 - Office
(404) 844-0499 - Fax

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Johns Creek

Parsons Meadow Professional Park
johns creek dermatology surgery center

Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC
10750 Medlock Bridge Road #101
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(404) 844-0496 - Office
(404) 844-0499 - Fax

Monday-Tuesday: 7:30AM - 4PM
Wednesday-Thursday: Closed
Friday: 7:30AM - 4PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed