How to Recognize Chemical Peel Risks

While chemical peels are far less invasive and carry fewer risks than other surgical cosmetic procedures, they do occasionally cause adverse side effects. Before you schedule a chemical peel procedure, it is important to recognize the possible risks so that you can make an informed decision about the peel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask your doctor to perform a skin patch test before you schedule an appointment for your chemical peel. While rare, some people do have allergic reactions to the peels; therefore, a skin patch test can help you to recognize an allergy before suffering the consequences of a larger chemical peel.
2. Tell your doctor if you have herpes, as the condition greatly increases your risks for infection after the chemical peel is complete. Your doctor may prescribe medications for both before and after the procedure to help reduce your risks; however, it is important to recognize that you will have a great chance of side effects than most.
3. Make sure that you inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking and any medical conditions you may have so that he may recognize and inform you of the risks involved. Most surgeons do not recommend phenol chemical peels for patients with heart disease, and a variety of medications may increase your sensitivity to the chemicals or even cause adverse effects such as skin discoloration and scarring.
4. Know that there is a risk of skin discoloration if you have naturally darker skin. Most surgeons will recommend a series of superficial peels instead of a few deeper peels for those with darker skin to help reduce the risks of side effects.
5. Recognize that scarring is possible during a chemical peel procedure, and that in order to lessen the risk you must follow the doctors follow up instructions to the letter. Generally, if scarring does occur, it can easily be fixed with further treatments such as microdermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing.
6. Be aware that chemical peels greatly increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and that you will need to limit your exposure and wear sunscreen each and every day following the procedure.