Chemical Peels

Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs Facial Rejuvenation

Chemical peels are a very effective way to improve the quality and texture of your skin. You can achieve brighter, smoother, and more beautiful skin with your chemical peel treatment. You will be able to see your results in a couple of weeks, a major benefit that many alternative treatments do not provide.

Am I a Candidate for a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels generally achieve the best results with patients who are fair skinned and have light hair. Darker-skinned patients can still achieve good results with this treatment; however, there is a chance that your skin tone will be uneven after the procedure.

If you would like to improve the appearance of the following issues on your face, neck or hands, then chemical peels may be an excellent option to accomplish your goals:

• Fine lines near the eyes or mouth
• Wrinkles resulting from sun damage or the aging process
• Skin discoloration or age spots
• Light freckling
• Minor scarring
• Certain types of acne

Deeper chemical peels may be the best way to treat pronounced deep wrinkling from severe sun damage.

Your Chemical Peel Procedure

Your chemical peel will usually be performed on an outpatient basis. Albany plastic surgeon Dr. Bruce Barach will clean the area to be treated in order to remove any excess oils on the skin. Then, he will apply a chemical solution to the treatment site. This solution will separate the surface layers of your skin from the deeper layers, enabling them to be removed, or “peeled off.” The chemicals used in your treatment will promote the creation of new skin cells which will be smoother and more youthful looking.

You may experience a mild burning or stinging sensation which will subside quickly. Cool compresses can be used to reduce this discomfort. For deeper peels, Dr. Barach may prescribe pain medication as well.

Recovery and Follow-Up Care

It is important to follow Dr. Barach’s after-care instructions carefully to ensure proper healing. You should not wear makeup for about two weeks, and it is important to avoid sun exposure for several weeks as well. Whenever you go outside, make sure to wear sunscreen that is SPF 15 or stronger.

Your skin type and the strength of the peel will greatly impact the way your skin reacts following your treatment. You can generally expect your skin to behave similarly to the way it does after a sunburn. Mild peels may result in some redness, followed by skin peeling for several days. Deeper peels may cause swelling, and you may develop blisters that scab and peel off over a two week period.

Dr. Barach will also recommend a daily skin care regimen which will help facilitate the healing process. It is important to follow this regimen very carefully to ensure the best possible results for your treatment.

Please contact our experienced plastic surgeon today to schedule your initial consultation. Upstate Plastic Surgery serves patients in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs, New York.