How to Decrease Discomfort During Chemical Peels

In a chemical peel procedure, a doctor or clinician applies a strong chemical to the skin and over the next few weeks, the outer layers of the skin peel away to reveal new, younger looking skin underneath. In order to have good results, such as even skin coloration, no adverse reactions and minimal discomfort during the procedure, it is important that you keep a few things in mind.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Speak to your doctor about the right kind of peel from you, as they very from deep to superficial resurfacing. For those who have herpes, suffer from acne or have sensitive skin, it may help to decrease discomfort and increase the quality of results by having a number of superficial procedures instead of one deep chemical peel.

2. Wear a minimum 15 SPF sunscreen on the areas to be worked on for at least 1 month leading up to the chemical peel. Because sun exposure increases sensitivity to the skin, it can also increase your level of discomfort both before and after the procedure. Additionally, exposure to the sun before and after the procedure can cause abnormal skin discoloration.

3. Follow the pre-procedure instructions given to you by your doctor. For at least 3 weeks beforehand you will be required to use special creams and moisturizers that prepare the skin for the procedure. Additional creams or medications if you suffer from acne, herpes or other skin conditions may be necessary to both ensure good results and decrease discomfort during and after the procedure.

4. Tell your doctor before the procedure if you are sensitive to pain. Because the chemical peels themselves have a slight anesthetic affect, most surgeons only offer patients and oral sedative to keep them calm. However, if your request a local anesthetic beforehand, it can help to decrease your discomfort during and immediately following the procedure.