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Skin Resurfacing - Chemical Peels
Chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons -- to enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Chemical peel may also remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. Your private health insurance and medicare may cover some of the cost of TCA peels. Be sure to check your policy and contact your insurance company before the procedure is performed. Our staff can also advise if your claim is within Medicare guidelines. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can't spare the time to recover from a TCA peel. AHA peels can be performed within our center. AHA peels may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. High concentrations of an AHA applied regularly on a monthly basis obtain the best result. An alphahydroxy acid, such as glycolic acid, is also mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations, as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin's texture. This maintenance programme can continue indefinitely. For more information, click on skin care, in the main menu. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are usually more dramatic and long-lasting than those of AHA Peels. However more than one TCA peel may still be needed to achieve the desired result. The recovery from a TCA peel typically takes 7 - 10 days. TCA peel is normally a safe procedure when it is performed by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon. However, some unpredictability and risks such as infection and scarring, while infrequent, are possible. AHA peels may cause stinging, redness, irritation and crusting. However, as the skin adjusts to the treatment regimen, these problems will subside. With a TCA peel, your healed skin should be able to produce pigment as always; the peel should not markedly bleach the skin. However, TCA-peel patients are advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment to protect the newly formed skin. Failure to heed this advice may result in patchy hyperpigmentation (darker than normal colour to the skin). Slight lightening of the skin colour normally results from removal of sun damaged layers of the skin - very rarely, more marked lightening has occurred. Alphahydroxy acids (AHA's)
Considerations: Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Considerations:
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