Question:
I’m a 38 year old woman interested in a chemical peel. I’m trying to prepare for the procedure as fully as I can. How much does a chemical peel hurt?
Answer:
Chemical peel is a very general term and so the answer to your question depends on what kind of peel you need/want. A variety of light chemical peels can be performed as a series of peels at monthly intervals in an office setting by a nurse or aesthetician. These peels cause very little discomfort and when provided with physician prescribed skin care can provide a great deal of benefit. Heavier chemical peels, what we refer to as surgeon strength peels, are performed by the physician only and include such peels as Jessner’s/TCA and Phenol peels. These are performed under a twilight type of IV anesthesia because they would otherwise not be tolerated. Post peel however there is very little discomfort. With the Jessner’s/TCA peel there is really no pain only swelling, redness and a feeling of tightness. The Phenol peel causes a little more discomfort, but is also well tolerated.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
