Chemical Peel

Help Acne, Pigment, Fine Lines

Light Chemical Peel with Glycolic Acid—improves acne, plugged pores, pigment problems, fine lines, and sun damage.

It increases smoothness and natural glow and softens mild acne scars.

About Chemical Peels

Number of Treatments— every 2-4 weeks or monthly for best results.

Discomfort—mild itching or stinging during procedure, mild-moderate discomfort if draining deep tender cysts.

Duration of Results— acne is a chronic, ongoing disorder. All of our treatments, including glycolic peel/acne surgery aim to help control acne, not cure it. New lesions will form, old ones take a while to fade, and scars may be permanent. Treatment with prescription medications (including hormonal treatment for females), use of your recommended skin care products, and other treatments are often needed as well. It is important to use the recommended home treatment.

Let us know—before your first peel, or if/ when any of the following exist or develop: cold sores, sun sensitivity, keloid scars, diabetes, eczema, sensitive skin, seborrehic dermatitis, rosacea, lupus, lichen planus, psoriasis, facial warts, allergic or other reaction to glycolic acid, have current open/crusted areas or areas treated with freezing, surgery, or cautery within the past month, or if you are a "picker," or unable to or refuse to avoid significant sun or tanning bed exposure. If you have frequent cold sores—we will prescribe a preventative medication to be taken before your peel.

Recovery Time/Side Effects—your face may feel flushed, and it may be red for several hours after the peel, similar to a sun burn. Your skin may feel slightly tight or dry for several days. This is normal. Small crusts may form on some acne lesions as they dry up.

What to Do to Prepare For a Chemical Peel

Two weeks before peel

  • At least two weeks prior to your first peel, begin Dr. Elaine's skin care to prepare your skin.

One week before peel

  • If you have hair coloring, perm wave or straightener within one week before the peel, notify nurse before the peel.
  • Avoid excessive sun/wind exposure. Reschedule your peel if you have sun/wind burn within one week before the peel.
  • Do not use a depilatory, wax, facial hair bleach, or receive electrolysis, IPL or laser treatments.

Two days before peel

  • Do not use Retin A/Refissa/Differin/Tazorac for at least two nights prior to peel.

One day before peel and day of peel

  • Don't use Clear Skin Lotion, Intensive Correcting Serum, Perfecting Complex, mask, exfoliant, any OTC acne treatment.

Day of peel

  • Do not shave the treatment area the morning of the peel, if possible.

After Your Chemical Peel

The day of your chemical peel

  • If skin is itchy, tender, has white or red discoloration apply topical steroid sample immediately, that evening and the next morning.
  • Ideally, it is best if you do not apply make-up the day of the treatment.
  • If you have acne, you may develop more acne bumps during the first eight weeks. This is normal.
  • That evening: wash with Dr. Elaine's recommended cleanser, and moisturize with Dr. Elaine's recommended moisturizer.

The following morning

  • Repeat the evening procedure with the addition of Dr. Elaine's recommended toner.

The evening of the day after your peel

  • Return to your regular recommended program.

The fourth day after your peel

  • Resume treatment with Dr. Elaine's Gel Mask or Antioxidant Enzyme Peel to exfoliate flaking skin.
  • Do not pick or peel the skin.
  • You will be more sun sensitive, avoid sun exposure.