A chemical peel, also known as chemosurgery, is a process that minimizes the aging effects of fine lines and wrinkles of the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, mouth, and uneven skin pigmentation. A peel doesn't give you the same results as a face lift, but is often performed along with a face lift. How does a face peel work? A chemical solution is applied to your face to peel away the top layers of the skin. A peel can be light, medium, or deep, depending on how deep into skin the solution penetrates. A deeply peel, or dermabrasion (derm-uh-BRAY-shun), is a procedure that uses a high-speed wheel with a sandpaper-like surface to abrade the skin. This type of procedure is used when you have extensive sun damage, acne scars, or deep skin wrinkles. You may feel a burning sensation when the chemical solution is first put on, but the solution acts as a local anesthetic and masks the pain shortly afterwards. The procedure lasts a little more than an hour and is done on an outpatient basis. Within 24-hours of the peel, a crust or scab will form to protect the new skin. As you heal, the skin appears bright red as if you're sunburned. Your skin will gradually lighten to pink, and in the end, may be one shade lighter than it was prior to the peel.
