Chemical Peels 101

(CBS)  The chemical peel is one of the cosmetic surgeries most frequently-performed on women.

On "The Early Show" Wednesday, Montclair, N.J. Board Certified dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie filled viewers in on the relatively inexpensive procedure.

She says it's highly effective in treating various skin conditions. Some can be done at home, others, only in a doctor's office.

According to Dr. Downie:

Chemical peels are light acid peels that help with tone, texture, acne and fine lines. I recommend them to most patients: You can look better and wear less makeup. They can also help reverse the sun damage.

Skin problems best treated with chemical peels include acne, hyper-pigmentation and fine lines. Chemical peels can even out skin tone, and increase your confidence along the way. A lot of men who have razor bumps find great success with peels, as well.

You have a higher amount of acids and active ingredients and can get results faster when one is done at a doctor's office, and physicians can deal with any resulting irritation or burning. At-home peels are mildly to moderately effective; they're really more for maintenance for people watching their budget or who might travel a lot than anything else.

There are many products that are buffered down over the counter.

For most patients, four-to-six treatments do the trick.

Chemical peels work on all skin types and tones, but you have to go to someone who knows what they're doing.

They run between $200 and $300 per peel. Some, as high as $1,000 per.


Watch CBS Videos Online

---

Details on some peels:

SkinMedica peels are in-office procedures.

At-Home Chemical Peels
Dr. Gross MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel ($78 for 30 applications)
DermaDoctor Physical Chemistry facial microdermabrasion and multiacid chemical peel ($75.00)

[tsult]

Chemical peels have been around for some time. The main point of importance in this article is ?but you have to go to someone who knows what they're doing?. There are a number of variable with chemical peels. The state of the patient skin, the strength of the peel agent and the contact time are only a few. It is a bit like the old children?s laxative commercial? are 2 prunes enough are 3 to many?

Laser peels offer an alternative that affords greater control. In my office (www.aestheticsofwillmar.com) we offer Fotona laser treatments. With these devices we are able to precisely control the depth of the peel and the heat applied during the treatment to control the outcome as much as possible. While taking off the damaged skin surface is a good start. Applying heat to the skin will result in new collagen growth and improved elasticity of the skin. Given the vagariy of chemical peels our office is chemical free, choosing instead to provide laser treatments with far more control.

Tom Sult, MD
www.fotona.us