Chemical peels are a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that utilizes special chemicals to safely peel away the uppermost aged and damaged layers of the skin, removing months of accumulated skin damage, acne scars, age, sun, and pigmented spots. Chemical peels are available in various formulations ranging from mild to more severe. Heavy-duty chemical peels are more capable of reducing deeper skin damages and irregularities to smooth out, refresh and replenish the skin, reduce wrinkles, stimulate healthy skin cell production, and encourage the growth of healthy collagen and elastin.
If you’re unhappy with the texture of your skin or feel you suffer from flaws on the skin’s surface, a heavy-duty chemical peel at Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery may be just the treatment for you.
What is a heavy-duty chemical peel?
Heavy-duty chemical peels use chemical formulations or solutions with stronger exfoliation capabilities. They generally use strong chemicals, known as phenols, to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, producing strong reactions. They’re ideal for patients with deeper wrinkles, skin damage, sunspots, acne scars, and other textural irregularities that don’t go away with surface-level chemical peels. Unlike regular chemical peels, a heavy-duty chemical peel is generally performed under local anesthesia and sedatives to ensure comfort.
What happens during the heavy-duty chemical peel?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Rousso carefully examines your facial skin, reviews your medical history, and discusses your cosmetic goals. He examines the irregularities you’re experiencing to determine if you truly need a heavy-duty chemical peel or if a simpler peel would suffice. Based on his analysis, he then curates the chemical peel treatment plan for your unique needs and concerns.
Dr. Rousso may put you through a pre-treatment to prepare your skin for the intense chemical peel and subsequent healing process. The pre-treatment usually includes a retinoic acid cream or gel derived from vitamin A to reduce your skin’s density, increasing its receptivity to the chemical peel.
On the day of the treatment, you’ll be offered a sedative to calm anxieties. Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the skin and ensure a comfortable treatment. After cleansing your face, a coat of phenol will be brushed over your face and neutralized with water. Next, a soothing ointment will be coated over the mask to prevent excessive dryness.
How do you recover from a heavy-duty chemical peel?
The heavy-duty chemical peel will make your skin crust and peel off over several days or a week. You should expect considerable skin redness and discomfort for a few days, which can be managed with pain medications. Even though the swelling will recede in 1-2 weeks, your skin will continue appearing red for a few months after treatment. You can resume most of your activities and work within two weeks. The treatment results generally last over 10 years.
Why choose Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery?
Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery is a state-of-the-art plastic surgery center led by two of the best board-certified plastic surgeons in Birmingham, Alabama. If you have deep-seated wrinkles or other skin surface anomalies you’d like to remove, please schedule a consultation to discuss your options.