Chemical Peel Side Effects

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Philip Young, MD
Question viewed 35,215 times
Tags: complication, side effects

i would guess that a chemcial peel would have some complication or side effect risks. what should i be aware of before getting a facial peel?

6 answers to Chemical Peel Side Effects

Chemical peel side effects varies according to depth

Chemical peels are divided according to the depth of penetration into three groups: 1. Light peels (superficial): Glycolic, salicylic etc... 2. Medium depth:TCA 3. Deep peels: Phenol. The clinical effect and also side effects varies according to the depth. Superficial and medium depth side effects are mainly related to local skin issues e.g hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, scars etc. Deep peels especialy phenol have side effects related to their toxicity e.g cardiac arrythmias and liver pro more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Risks of Peeling usually related to depth of peel

There are numerous potential side effects to peels and the severity is generally related to the depth. Depending on the type of peel this can be a function of the concentration or the relative proportions of the ingredients. Side effects include hyper or hypopigmentation, prolonged redness, herpes activation with infection, secondary bacterial infection, ulcers, hypertophic scars, pain, firmness, delayed healing, itching, and prolonged inflammation. No one really knows how often peels can... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Chemical peels have risks that are lowered by being cautious

There are many risks with chemical peels (trichloroacetic acid, jessners peel, salicylic, rescorcinal, lactic acid, vitalase, retinoic acid, etc) including but not limited to, scarring, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, acne flares, eyelid malposition, infection, poor results. There are many levels of peels and their is alot information out there that helps surgeons determine how deep they are when they do chemical peels. Knowledge of the depth of the peels helps you determine how... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Peel risks

The basic risks of a chemical peel are scars, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation. There are many types of peels and many strengths of peels designed to peel down to varying skin depths. A phenol peel can even be absorbed and have systemic side effects.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Benefits and risks of chemical peels

I perform several deep chemical peels per week and firmly believe that they represent an important modality for facial rejuvenation. The risks of chemical peeling include hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering, pain, scarring, and foliliculitis. These risks are minimized with an experienced practitioner.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Side effects or risks from facial peel

As with any procedure, there are risks. Risks are dependent on the type of chemical used and the medical condition of the patient. For most over the counter superficial peels, risks are minimal. For deeper peels, such as TCA and phenol, rewards are great, but there are risks. Redness and skin peeling can be expected after treatment. Depending on the depth of the peel, redness can last for several weeks to a few months. Patients prone to cold sores can experience outbreaks around the time of... more

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

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Chemical Peel Side Effects