Chemical Peel in Pittsburgh, PA

At Dr. James Fernau, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa in Pittsburgh, PA, we offer medspa treatments including a variety of chemical peel treatment options. A chemical peel is a facial rejuvenation treatment that removes the top layer of skin to reveal another fresh layer and promote new skin tissue growth. It achieves this through an acid solution that creates the peeling affect. It is a safe and effective way to attain a clear, softer appearance. There are a number of skin problems a chemical peel can resolve, such as smoothening fine wrinkles, helping with acne scars, pigmentation, rough textures, and sun damage. There are different degrees of peels depending on the patient’s cosmetic goals and their skin condition prior to treatment.

The superficial peel is the mildest peel option that targets the upper layer of skin. Commonly, a diluted glycolic acid is used and left on the skin for several minutes. The doctor will then neutralize the acid to keep the peel at a mild level. There will be slight redness after the treatment, but typically there is no downtime compared to the other peels available. On average, patients will peel for about 3-5 days with this treatment. Patients may need several treatments to achieve the facial look they desire. On average, this is also the least expensive among chemical peel treatments.

A medium chemical peel treats more than just the top layer of skin. It penetrates deeper to treat moderate to severe wrinkles and skin irregularities. The procedure uses a stronger solution in the form of Trichloreacetic Acid (TCA). The acid will be applied in a controlled condition to manage and limit penetration, and the acid will be neutralized to stop the effects of the peel up to a certain point. The recovery time following a medium peel is about 10 days and patients will need to plan ahead for a short recovery period. This peel costs more than the superficial one, but the results are a bit more dramatic.

A deep chemical peel is the most aggressive approach in chemical peel treatment. It is considered a more invasive procedure and in some cases patients will need general anesthesia. The substance normally used is called phenol and it aims to treat severe skin wrinkling, deep scars and facial irregularities. Once a patient undergoes a deep peel, it is not advised to have another one. The recovery period may take up to 14 days and the area treated will be bandaged as the wounds are comparable to second-degree burns. The results following a deep peel are usually excellent. The disadvantage to this peel is that there is downtime and it costs significantly more than a mild or medium depth peel.

Based on the intensity of your peel, you might experience a number of these upsides from your treatment at Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa:

• Balanced and calmed skin tone
• Decrease in dynamic lines and signs of aging
• Reduction of pores and other skin abnormalities
• Hydrated, improved skin feel

The chemical application for a peel follows similar steps. The only difference will be the type of acid solution used, the amount applied, and the period of time that it is left on the skin. Once the chemical reaches the target skin layers, a neutralizer will be applied to immediately stop the effects of the acid. Downtime depends on what kind of peel is done. There is no downtime for mild peels but for deep peels, patient will be in a healing process up to 14 days. After the treatment, it is important that the patient allow the peeling process to occur naturally and do not assist in peeling or pulling at the skin. It is also extremely important to avoid sun exposure for a period of time after the treatment.

Dr. Fernau prices his chemical peels based on the degree of peel. The harsher the chemical peel, the more expensive the cost. During the initial skin consultation, we will discuss the best type of chemical peel for your skin condition. Dr. Fernau’s office charges the following fees for chemical peels
• Glycolic Acid Peels – 40 minutes, 30% mild to moderate peeling at $60.00 or 40% mild to moderate peeling at $65.00 or 50% medium to deep peeling at $70.00
• Salicylic Acid Peels 30% – 45 minutes at $65.00
• Lactic Acid Peels 40% – 45 minutes at $65.00

Depending on the peel used, there may be some general discomfort. With the lighter peels, patients will feel some stinging but it goes away quickly with the use of a handheld fan. The peeling process itself does not cause any pain. Medium and deep peels are more painful, and thus skin medications and antibiotics may be used to assist with any discomfort.

Dermabrasion is a facial rejuvenation procedure that treats surface irregularities, giving the skin a softer appearance. Dermabrasion works in many ways similar to a chemical peel. The difference, is that dermabrasion use surgical tools (a rotating brush or shaving instrument) to remove the top layer of skin through a surgical scraping process. A chemical peel uses a caustic solution that is rubbed into the skin. Both techniques result in a brighter, smoother complexion.

There are many skin treatments to consider depending on the patient’s aesthetic goals and skin condition. Chemical peels promote new skin regeneration and is best to treat skin irregularities. For facial conditions in which wrinkles are significant, a BOTOX or injectable filler may be a better option. There are also a number of laser treatments to consider as well.