Beauty Doc Blog

Chemical peels are solutions used to reinvigorate the appearance of the skin through removal of damaged outer layers, revealing the newer and more uniform textured skin underneath.  Different types of chemical peels using different chemical formations are recommended for various levels of skin problems and abnormalities.

A Deep Peel Is A Phenol Peel

A deep chemical peel is referring to a phenol chemical peel.  Phenol is also known as carbolic acid and is the strongest solution on the market utilized for chemical peel purposes, often used for those patients who suffer from sun damage which causes severe blotchiness of the skin, keratoses or pre-cancerous growth, deep scars from acne and coarse wrinkles.

Phenol is a relatively toxic chemical and prolonged  exposure to high concentrations of phenol can lead to serious health problems including corrosion of the mucus membranes.  Phenol should only be used by an experienced physician in a controlled environment.  The patient, unlike those using milder chemical peels, should be given a mild sedative and a local anesthetic, along with cardiac monitoring during the duration of the procedure.

The phenol peel procedure should be performed at a surgery center as an outpatient procedure and will take about an hour.  A two week post-operative recuperation time is normal.

Phenol Peels Provide Superior Results

The results of a phenol peel are superior to those of other peels due to the high strength of the chemical used.  There is, however, a greater risk of compilations and more noticeable side effects, also due to the strength of phenol.  The most consistent phenol chemical peel side effect is a permanent lightening of the skin.  For this reason the  procedure is not recommended for individuals with darker skin tones.  Other possible side effects include scarring, discomfort and increased sensitivity to the sun.

Healing Takes Place Within Three Weeks

Within three weeks of the phenol treatment new skin will form.  It will be red and tight and will gradually fade to white over the coming months.  A clear demarcation line will exist since there is no smooth transition from peeled to unpeeled skin.  Also, after a phenol peel the skin will never again tan, so if a person chooses to tan the non peeled area of the body a greater discrepancy will exist between the areas.

Chemical peeling is overall a safe procedure when performed by expert physicians.  A greater degree of success in the procedure always comes from a greater depth of peeling, and the results can last for decades.  Most patients find the long term results to be very satisfactory.