Modified Phenol peel - results. (photo)

Question

I had a modified Phenol peel 36 hours ago, my skin started peeling within 18 hrs in some spots. I have noticed that the lines are still there. Does this change over time? My Dr said that I had a deep peel but not the deepest and I may need to redo my mouth and eye area. I thought phenol perks only had to be done once?

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

The best time to assess the results of a modified phenol peel (presumably a croton oil peel) is 12 months after the procedure.  Thirty six hours after your procedure is too early to be looking at your face.  Please give yourself time to heal.  And yes, the peel can be repeated as necessary.

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

In short, yes you will get better as time goes on. You are very early on in your recovery and most likely you will see a dramatic improvement in your skin as time goes on.
Congratulations!

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

Thank you for your picture! You are doing very well for a few days out.  Phenol peels (even modified hetter phenol peels) do have significant downtime, but the results are unparalleled.  Right now you are fairly swollen, so expect the results to continue to improve for the next few weeks to months really as your skin goes from inflammatory phase (which it is in now), to the remodeling phase (when collagen gets deposited in the dermis and new healthy skin continues to proliferate).  As far as doing a repeat - you can certainly do "spot touch ups" with phenol peels without the downtime of a full face treatment.  Usually you want to wait 6 months to a year before considering that.  Congratulations on your procedure! Best of luck with recovery!

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Hi.  At this stage, it's way too early to tell much about the results.  They evolve significantly over time, and you'll need 6-12 months to see the final result.  If there are some residual wrinkles, the peel can indeed be repeated in the trouble spots.

Richard H. Bensimon, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear 7878x,I think it is much too early after your peel to make any judgements on the result. I am a very experienced peeler and it appears to me that you have had a significantly deep peel. An experienced peeler will treat the skin to the appropriate depth for a good clinical result but it is more important to go to a safe depth. Once that is reached, the skin is allowed to heal and then if a re-peeling is called for it can be done. If you peel too deep, and there is scarring, this is much worse. As a general rule, the results of deep peels are very long lasting, but a revision now and then may be necessary. Often, these revisions are minor.
Don't think that the need of a revision means that it wasn't done well, rather that it was done safely.
Good Luck!

Modified Phenol peel - results. (photo)

Answers (5)