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Chemical Peel
(Phenol and Trichloroacetic acid [TCA])

Procedure: Restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun-damaged facial skin, using a chemical solution to peel away skin's top layers. Works best on fair, thin skin with superficial wrinkles. Chemical Peel
Length: 1 to 2 hours for full face.

Anesthesia:

None; sedation and EKG monitoring may be used.
In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient. Full-face phenol peel may require admission for 1 to 2 days.
Side Effects: Both: Temporary throbbing, tingling, swelling, redness; acute sensitivity to sun.
Phenol:
Permanent lightening of treated skin; permanent loss of ability to tan.

Recovery:

Phenol
Formation of new skin: 7 to 21 days.
Normal activities: 2 to 4 weeks.
Full healing andfading of redness: 3 to 6 months
TCA
Formation of new skin: 5 to 10 days.

Duration of Results: Phenol: permanent, although new wrinkles may form as skin ages.
TCA: variable (temporary).

More Information About Skin Repair