Whats a Deep Chemical Peel? Cost, Recovery
A deep chemical peel is a non-surgical plastic therapy, which produces dramatic results in a short while. Normally a deep chemical peel refers to a phenol peel. It has striking advantages but also equally striking disadvantages. It is a procedure which results in an astonishing improvement in wrinkles and is able to receive the type of results as other non surgical procedures such as laser skin resurfacing or dermabrasion.
Dark discoloration and acne on the skin can benefit from this method. Only one treatment and the results are long lasting. Patients do not have to prepare anything before undergoing the deep chemical peel treatment and they don’t have to take any special care afterwards. The main disadvantage of the deep chemical peel is the permanent skin color. The redness of the face after the procedure gives way to an irreversible, unnatural ghostly white color, which announces to the world that the patient has undergone a chemical peel therapy.
There will be a line of demarcation as there is no smooth transition from a peeled to a non-peeled skin. Makeup may camouflage this to a great extent but sometimes it is not adequate. Since these phenol peels make a significant alteration in the color of the skin, they are best suited for a fair person rather than a dark person whether she has olive, brown or black skin. Another disadvantage is that the skin will not tan after undergoing the deep chemical treatment. The other parts of the body, which have not been treated, may tan, making the person look strange, as the face will not tan.
A deep chemical peel or a phenol peel is generally done under anesthesia in the office or the hospital. The patient can return home the same day after the procedure. There may be mild or severe discomfort for about three to five days, which can be prevented by medication. There may be moderate to severe swelling, which will subside in a week’s time. Sometimes the swelling may be so much that it may be difficult to even open the eyes. The face may be swollen, oozing, crusting and red and after a few days the face may become stiff, dark and begin to flake. As soon as the flaking and the peeling are complete, the new skin will be healthy, smooth and red which will improve after a couple of months. Then the skin will appear very pale.
The skin has to be protected from the sun. The patient can appear in public with make up after a couple of weeks and be normal in two to three months. Though most patients are pleased with the result, the deep chemical peel is one of the least used procedures for wrinkles and sun damaged skin because of the long recovery period and the permanent pale skin.
The deep chemical peel may cost around $2000 to $4000, depending upon the area treated.
