How often should you really get medium grade chemical peels? Have been getting them every 6 weeks.

Question

They use a blended TCA peel from PCA skin and I have been getting them once every 6 weeks. I was doing my normal freak out research and medium level peels are only supposed to be done every 2-3 and sometimes every 4-6 months. Am I overdoing it? Should I be concerned about the spa I'm going too? 1st peel: Dec 27th 2nd: Jan 25th 3rd: April 17th Also, this is probably me just freaking out, still like some input. The spa is PCA certified and has a doctor at the office who does medical grade.

Julia Spears, MD · Answer

Hello! I would not be concerned at all. We recommend receiving a series of 4-6 chemical peels every 4-6 weeks. If you feel it is too much for your skin, we recommend between peels you can do a Hydrafacial to keep up with exfoliation and still get beautiful results. 
Best of Luck!
Dr. Julia Spears MD

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Hey there,Medium depth chemical peels are usually done once in 4-6 months mainly to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and photoageing skin changes such as brown spots. Frequent medium depth peeling may sometimes pose a threat of uneven pigmentation and scarring in skin types 3-6. 
Hope this helps.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello BrittanyBeautiful,A true medium depth chemical peel in my opinion is going to leave you with 7-10 days of downtime (meaning your skin is peeling and bright red early on changing over to pink).  Some medium depth will go as long as 2 weeks of healing.  Given that you are having these done every 6 weeks, my guess is that is not the downtime you are experiencing.  Superficial peels, on the other hand, have a gentle peel and about 3 days of peeling/slight redness to the skin.  These typically are performed every 4-6 weeks as desired by the patient as they act as more of a skin polisher with little long term improvement.  With any chemical peel application, the depth of the peel is going to be dependent on the ingredients being used, the concentration of those ingredients, how many applications are performed, and how hard the person performing the treatment is pushing.  Just because there is a doctor at the office does not mean you are getting a medium treatment.  It also is not a guaranty the doctor overseeing the treatment even has any training in those types of treatments.  State law requires a physician to oversee, but it doesn't state what kind of training the doctor needs.  The good news is as long as your skin is fully healed and no longer pink when you get your next treatment, you aren't putting it at any risk.  But if you are getting treated so frequently my guess is you are not getting the treatment to the depth you are expecting.  I would recommend you consult with a doctor from one of the core aesthetic fields (faical palstic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, and oculoplastic surgery).  I hope this helps, and good luck.

Patricia Faraz, MD · Answer

Hello BrittanyBeautiful,Treating for acne scars, that can be recommended. You may want to consider a more advanced peel, such as the ZO 3 Step Stimulation Peel or a RevePeel. You may need less peels to achieve the results you are looking for. Did they discuss alternating with Microneedling + PRP?Hope this helps!

How often should you really get medium grade chemical peels? Have been getting them every 6 weeks.

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