Skin Resurfacing (Chemical Peel)

Restoring Your Skin’s Natural Glow

Skin imperfections such as age spots, scars, and dead skin cells can make the skin look dull, lifeless, and dry. Skin resurfacing, also known as a chemical peel, is specifically designed to help expose the skin’s healthy, underlying layers, thus allowing cosmetic surgery patients to get the radiant, even complexions they’ve always desired. At The Peer Group, our plastic surgeons have extensive experience performing chemical peel skin resurfacing procedures on men and women from Harding, Far Hills, Denning, and throughout the northern New Jersey region.

Skin resurfacing usually takes less than 1 hour and sometimes just a few minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. The skin resurfacing procedure uses various chemical agents applied by one of our skilled plastic surgeons to remove the upper layers of damaged skin at controlled levels of penetration. Facial chemical peels can minimize the appearance of fine lines around the mouth, eyes and cheeks, and are also effective in treating facial scars, uneven pigmentation, and areas of damaged or wrinkled skin caused by prolonged sun exposure. Many patients get chemical peels in conjunction with a facelift, to smooth fine wrinkles, or eyelid surgery, to lighten dark pouches.

Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) and Phenol Peels

Deep chemical peels with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and phenol/cotton oil peels are other options. These skin resurfacing treatments require around a week for the skin to recover after a chemical peel and are better suited for correcting more pronounced pigmentation problems and deeper wrinkles. Additional products for improving scars and pigmentation of various skin types are also available at The Peer Group Skin Care Center in northern New Jersey.

TCA Peel Procedure

During the TCA peel, the skin is thoroughly cleaned before the skin chemical peel solution is evenly applied to the targeted areas. Peel depth can be adjusted to ensure that each patient receives a skin treatment that targets their individual needs. Some patients may be given Retin-A or hydroquinone to apply to the skin prior to a facial chemical peel in order to maximize the chemical peel effects. Topical anesthesia may be all that is required with a TCA peel, as the peel’s unique solution acts as an anesthetic on its own and mildly numbs the skin. There may be a slight stinging sensation when the peel is first applied, but this goes away quickly. Some patients may request sedation before their chemical peel in order to promote comfort and relaxation for their treatment.  The entire peel process takes only 10 to 15 minutes to perform,

Recovery and Results of a TCA Peel

After a TCA chemical peel, patients may experience tingling, throbbing, redness, swelling and skin weeping, which usually last for about a week, depending on the strength of the peel.  It is important for patients to protect their skin from the sun for several months after the chemical peel in order to reduce the risk of complications and maintain desired results. Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific post-treatment instructions.

The results are visible after 7 to 10 days after a skin resurfacing peel as new skin layers form.  Patients can return to work and other regular activities at this time.  The skin may continue to appear slightly pinkish for several months before the healing process is fully completed.  Most patients notice smoother and fresher-looking skin after a TCA chemical peel treatment, although these results do not last as long as those achieved with a phenol peel. Additional facial chemical peel treatments may be recommended to reach desired results and maintain these results over the long-term.