Chemical Peels

Chemical peels with glycolic acid ("fruity acid"), salacylic acid and mild TCA (trichloroacetic acid ) are very useful in reversal of mild skin changes induced by sun damage and weathering (solar brown spots, brown pigmentary changes, weathered, thickened, cornified, dry skin). The skin is a living organ made up of millions of cells organized in several layers.

Everyday thousands of cells are sloughed off, and new cells from deeper layers of the skin replace them. As part of aging, this process becomes slower and more disorderly, causing the skin to appear more dull, blotchy and "sun damaged". The function of a skin peel is to create a controlled shedding of several outer layers of damaged cells. This exposes a new fresh layer of skin with a more even color and a smoother texture. It can also be used to even out brown pigmentary changes (liver spots, sun spots) or to remove precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses.

Application of a light, superficial peel solution causes only minimal discomfort easily tolerated especially if cooling is applied. A series of chemical peels can further magnify the result. Various acidic solutions of varying concentrations such as glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are painted onto the face producing exfoliation of the superficial layers of skin. Healing time varies with the depth of the peel. Most commonly, Dr.Zemplenyi uses 70% glycolic acid or mild TCA peel and such procedures cause redress of the skin to persist one to two days. Cover-up make-up may be applied immediately to camouflage this redness so that there is no need to loose time from work or social activities.

On the other hand, higher percentage TCA peels (35%) achieve penetration of skin to deeper levels and result in medium depth peeling. This tends to improve fine wrinkles to a greater degree, but a recovery is needed for these medium depth peels (Please see Cosmetic Plastic Procedures). Peels are often performed on neck, chest and hands as many people have age and sun-damage changes of these areas in addition to the face. Fortunately, these peels can be safely performed on these body locations as well. Use of sunscreens to protect the fresh, new skin is mandatory for at least three months following chemical peeling.