Chemical Peel Complications
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, chemical peels use acid to strip the outer layers of damaged or aging skin off of the face. Those who have mild skin issues often opt for chemical peels instead of a facelift or other plastic surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that, although the chemical peel process is generally safe, it is not free of risks. There are chemical peel complications that can develop from these procedures.
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Swelling and Irritation
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One of the most common complications after a chemical peel is swelling and irritation on the peel site. This is especially expected when receiving chemical peel treatments using alphahydroxy acids (AHA). AHA peels, considered the mildest, are often performed over a series of weeks or months to achieve the desired results. As the treated skin sheds, the newly exposed surface area may become crusty, red, irritated or swollen. These complications are usually treated with pain medication and moisturizer. As the skin adjusts to the treatments, the worst of the complications should subside.
Pigment Change
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In deeper chemical peels, patients may notice a skin pigmentation change. This can be attributed to several things. Trichloroacetic acid (TA) peels are medium-depth peels that are harsher than AHA peels. Because of this, they expose more fresh skin in a treatment. While they don't actually remove skin pigment, TA peels can cause skin discoloration or darkening if the patient is taking birth control pills, becomes pregnant soon after the treatment or has a family history of facial discoloration.
On the other hand, phenol peels are deep skin peels that are actually meant to remove pigment from skin. Remove this pigment means that the facial skin can no longer tan, but it also means that it is far more sensitive to external factors. Those who have had a deep chemical peel need to be wary of all medications (such as drugs containing hormones) that could change skin pigmentation and should consult a doctor before taking any of these medications.
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Sores and Blisters
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Chemical peels can cause facial sores and blisters, depending on skin sensitivity to the chemicals being used. Additionally, patients that have a history of cold sores may experience an outbreak after the chemical peel is applied. If you have this condition make sure to tell your doctor so that he can prescribe medication either before or during the treatment period that could keep outbreaks at bay.
Severe Sunburn
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Severe sunburn is a serious complication of chemical peels because the newly exposed skin is incredibly sensitive. Because of this, protecting the skin with sunblock is important. This is especially true for after a phenol peel. Because the peel takes away the skin's ability to produce pigment, that means the skin will always need to be protected from the sun. The doctor performing the peel may give you some prescription-strength sunblock to avoid this complication; make sure to use it as directed.
Scarring and Infection
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According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, scarring and infection are infrequent complications of chemical peels, but they can happen. (Reference 1.) If scarring does occur, it is usually treated by the plastic surgeon performing the chemical peel. If a plastic surgeon is not performing the peel (as is legal in some states) and scarring occurs, you should seek the advice of a plastic surgeon. Infection can cause scarring, so it's important report any signs to a doctor and to treat it with antibiotics as soon as possible.
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