For revitalized and renewed skin in Boston
Dr. Katherine Hein is among the top cosmetic surgeons in the Boston, Wellesley, and MetroWest area. She and her aesthetician and skincare professionals offer chemical peel treatments for healthier and renewed skin.
A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, and sun damage.
Chemical peels are most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons — to enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. A chemical peel also may remove pre-cancerous skin growths, soften acne facial scars and even control acne. If you are concerned about uneven skin pigmentation, sun damage, leathery texture of your facial skin, fine wrinkles, and blemishes, a medical-grade chemical peel may be the right choice to renew and revitalize your skin.
This website provides basic information about certain types of chemical peel treatments and the results you might expect. It won’t answer all your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Once you and Dr. Hein have decided on a specific peel program, be sure to ask her about any details that you do not understand.
What are chemical peels?
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are the primary acids used in a medical grade chemical peels. Dr. Hein will customize the precise formula to meet each patient’s needs. Although a chemical peel may be performed in conjunction with a facelift, it is neither a substitute for such surgery, nor will it prevent or slow the aging process.
Chemical peels are especially useful to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles on cheeks, forehead, around the eyes and the vertical wrinkles around the mouth.
Alpha hydroxy 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 may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation, and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. Your doctor will make this decision during your consultation and as the treatment proceeds. An alpha hydroxy acid, such as glycolic acid, also can be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.
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. In fact, more than one TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired result.
Are chemical peels safe?
All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk. A chemical peel is normally a safe procedure when a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon performs it. 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 will be able to produce pigment as always; the peel will not bleach the skin. However, TCA-peel patients are advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment to protect the newly formed layers of skin. TCA may produce some unintended color changes in the skin.
Peel formulas at a glance
Dr. Katherine Hein explains to her patients what the major chemical peel ingredients are used for and the considerations as follows:
| Chemicals | Uses | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) | Smooths rough, dry skin Improves texture of sun-damaged skin Aids in control of acne Can be mixed with bleaching agent to correct pigment problems Can be used as TCA pre-treatment | A series of peels may be needed As with most peel treatments, sunblock use is recommended |
| Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) | Smooths out fine surface wrinkles Reduces the appearance superficial blemishes Corrects pigment problems | Can be used on neck or other body areas May require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams Preferred for darker-skinned patients Peel depth can be adjusted Repeat treatment may be needed to maintain results Sunblock must be used for several months |
What are the steps to plan for a chemical peel?
In some states, no medical degree is required to perform a chemical peel. Many states have laws that permit non-physicians to administer certain peel solutions but regulate the strengths that they are permitted to apply. You should be warned that TCA peels have been offered by inadequately trained practitioners claiming “miracle techniques” to rejuvenate the skin.
It is especially important that you find a physician like Dr. Hein who has adequate training and experience in skin resurfacing. Your plastic surgeon may offer you a choice of peel techniques or suggest a combination of peels to obtain the best result for you.
During your initial consultation, it is important that you discuss your expectations with Dr. Hein. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you may have. Dr. Hein and her professional staff will thoroughly explain the specifics of your chemical peel, including its risks and benefits, the recovery period, and the costs. If you have a history of herpes, you should inform Dr. Hein prior to the procedure.
Chemical peel considerations
Dr. Hein and her staff will instruct you on how to prepare for your peel treatment.
Sometimes Retin A – a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A – is used to pre-treat the skin. This thins out the skin’s surface layer, allowing the TCA solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. If your skin won’t tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, an AHA cream may be used instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre-treatment, especially if you have blotchy skin areas or pigmentation problems. You may have to spend a month or more in the pre-treatment phase before the doctor will schedule your actual peel.
Where will your chemical peel be performed?
Dr. Hein and her aesthetician team safely perform patient’s chemical peels in the office. No sedation or anesthesia is required.
What is the chemical peel process?
AHA Peels/Treatments: Your practitioner will apply the AHA solution to your cleansed facial skin. No “after-peel” ointment or covering is required, but an ongoing high-quality skin care regimen will be recommended according to your individual skin type. Depending on the strength of the peel, periodic treatments may be necessary until the desired effects are achieved.
For some patients, the application of an AHA-based face wash or cream, once or twice a day at home, will be sufficient to accomplish the desired goal. Your plastic surgeon may add Retin-A or a bleaching agent to your at-home treatment schedule. After several weeks of at-home use, your doctor will examine your skin to determine if your regimen needs adjustment.
After an AHA peel, it is common to experience some temporary flaking or scaling, redness, and dryness of the skin. However, these conditions will disappear as the skin adjusts to treatment.
TCA Peels: Typically, the skin is first thoroughly cleansed. Then, the surgeon or aesthetician will carefully apply the TCA solution. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass.
Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months. Mild TCA peels may be repeated as often as every month.
The chemical solution can be applied to the entire face, or to a specific area – for example, around the mouth – sometimes in conjunction with a facelift.
To help your face heal properly, it is essential that you follow your doctor’s specific post-peel instructions.
A TCA peel may also cause significant swelling depending on the strength of the peel used.
Getting back to normal
With an AHA peel, the temporary redness, flaking and dryness that you experience will not prevent you from working or engaging in your normal activities. A fresher and improved skin texture will result with continued AHA treatments. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day.
With a TCA peel, the moderate discomfort and mild swelling you may experience will subside within the first week. In about a week to ten days, your new skin will be apparent, and you should be healed sufficiently to return to your normal activities. It is best to avoid sun exposure unless you are adequately protected. After healing, the skin is lighter in color, tighter, smoother, and younger looking.
Your new look
Improvements from AHA peels may be very subtle at first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of your skin.
After a TCA peel, your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher looking.
When you select Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery for your chemical peel treatment, you can be reassured of a close personal relationship with Dr. Katherine Hein and her professional staff.
To schedule your personal consultation, please contact Accurate Aesthetics by calling (781) 263-0011 today.
Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with the medical professionals at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery to see if you are a candidate.
Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with Dr. Hein to see if you are a good candidate.