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Introduction to Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are non-invasive treatments used to control blemishes, reduce irregular pigmentation, and fade fine lines caused by sun damage, age, or other uncontrollable factors. They can also improve whiteheads and blackheads that are seen with acne or excessively oily skin. When you come in to see Dr. Collier Pace at Greensboro Plastic Surgery, you can rest assured that your Chemical Peel will leave your skin looking fresh and renewed!

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are a category of advanced clinical skin rejuvenation treatments that help alleviate sun damage and return the youthful glow of an individual’s skin. Peels vary in their strength and types. Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Collier Pace, offers several different types of chemical peels, as well as different strengths of peels. The depth of the peel depends on the chemical used. After a consultation with him, your chemical peel program will be developed based on your unique needs.

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Levels of a Chemical Peel

  • Mild: Also known as a superficial peel, this procedure removes the outermost layer of skin and can be completed in under an hour, making it a convenient option that can easily fit into your schedule. A mild chemical solution such as alpha-hydroxy acid will be used to address coarse skin and minor discoloration. Repeated procedures can be completed every two to five weeks as necessary.
  • Medium: For more moderate skin conditions such as age spots, freckles, acne scars, and fine lines and wrinkles, a stronger chemical solution will be used. Our surgeon will apply glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to remove the outer layer of skin and the upper part of your middle layer of skin. This procedure can be repeated every three weeks until the desired results are attained.
  • Deep: During this procedure, our provider will apply phenol or trichloroacetic acid to treat moderate to severe skin damage and deep wrinkles. Chemical peels at this level must only be completed once but will penetrate the middle to deep layers of the skin to dramatically improve its appearance. Deep chemical peels may not be suitable for patients with darker skin tones.

Chemical peels can be performed on all parts of the body: face, neck, chest, back, arms, and legs. You may require more than one peel to achieve your required results. The body’s natural daily process is to regenerate skin cells and flake off the older, dead cells. This process is just sped up by a chemical peel. With all chemical peels, a topical solution is applied to the top layer of the skin to loosen and remove the dead and damaged skin, thereby uncovering the newer, fresher skin underneath. In addition, chemical peels catalyze the generation of collagen in deeper layers of the skin, otherwise known as the dermis.

What are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?

We have seen our patients enjoy the following benefits from our Chemical Peels in Greensboro:

  • Acne Removal
  • Diminished scarring
  • Fading discoloration
  • Fading or erasure of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Non-invasive
  • Reduced pore size
  • Softer and smoother skin
  • Uniform skin texture

Who are the Best Candidates for a Chemical Peel Treatment?

If you are interested in Chemical Peels in Greensboro, NC, but are still trying to decide if you are a good candidate, here are some guidelines to help you decide:

  • Are not immuno-suppressed
  • Do not have major underlying medical conditions
  • Have a weathered and nonuniform complexion
  • Have acne, scars, or oily skin
  • Have moderate to severe fine lines and wrinkles
  • Maintain realistic expectations from the procedure
  • Not currently pregnant or nursing

What’s the First Step?

The first step to getting a Chemical Peel at Greensboro Plastic Surgery is to schedule an in-person visit with Dr. Collier Pace. During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals, concerns, and expectations for the procedure. We encourage full transparency of medical history and expectations so that we can arrive at the best possible treatment plan and avoid unnecessary risks.

Dr. Pace will evaluate your skin condition and the target areas of concern. At the end of the consultation, we aim to arrive at a mutually agreed upon treatment plan. You can then schedule your appointment for a convenient time.

What to Expect on the Day of a Chemical Peel

On the day of your Chemical Peel, the target area will first be cleansed before the treatment. Depending on the level of the peel, you’ll be given a topical anesthetic to ease the process should there be any discomfort. We will then apply a chemical solution to the area for a few minutes, which will produce a slight burning sensation but should pass rather quickly as the solution itself acts as an anesthetic. Right after, this solution will be wiped off and replaced with a neutralizing solution to stop the chemical reaction. A handheld fan is also provided should you need extra cooling in the area.

The treatment could take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the treatment area and the depth of your Chemical Peel.

Chemical Peel Recovery

Even though Chemical Peels have a low recovery downtime, we recommend taking it easy on the day of the treatment. It is common to see mild swelling and reddening of the target area. After about 24 hours, a crust or scab may form to protect your new skin, do NOT pick at it! It can usually be removed with some gentle washing with soap and water followed by the application of creams, moisturizers, or ointments. After the crust falls off within a few days, your face will again appear red, similar to a sunburn. Your face will then gradually lighten into a pinkish hue, getting lighter and returning close to normal after several weeks when your skin has completely regenerated. Most lighter freckles and birthmarks will disappear, however, heavier freckles will still be noticeable.

As your skin heals, you may feel “abnormal” sensations, such as itching or tingling, but this is part of the process and nothing to worry about. While you are fine to do your typical routine within a day or so, you should avoid any strenuous activities for two to three weeks. You will also want to avoid sunlight as best as possible for the first three weeks as your pigmentation will have been stripped away during the treatment. Once your pigmentation returns, we strongly encourage you to wear good sunblock. After this three-week mark, you can wear light makeup again, but you should look into non-allergenic makeup to avoid irritating the skin.

Please follow the post-treatment care instructions to get the best results and if anything feels out of the ordinary, please contact us immediately.

How Much Does a Chemical Peel Cost in Greensboro, NC?

The cost of a Chemical Peel in Greensboro, NC is determined by multiple factors such as which Chemical Peel you are getting, the surface area being treated, and the depth and degree of the peel. We recommend that you schedule your Chemical Peel consultation at the earliest to receive a customized quote that can offer you the most needed and cost-efficient treatment.

Why choose Dr. Pace?

Greensboro Plastic Surgery is a practice that will make you feel heard and safe before even attempting to propose a treatment plan, thanks to the guidance that comes from Dr. Pace’s breadth of experience internationally and from his rigorous training by leaders in the field and at reputable institutions.

Dr. Collier Pace is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has been affiliated with Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. He received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and specializes in aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery, hand, and facial plastic, and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Pace is an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which is one of the most prestigious Plastic Surgery societies in the US.

Dr. Pace sitting on a chair smiling.
Portrait of Dr. Pace at his practice in Greensboro. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Collier Pace | Greensboro Plastic Surgery.

Schedule your consultation

If you are unhappy with your skin texture, fine lines, uneven pigmentation, sun spots, or acne, a Chemical Peel from Greensboro Plastic Surgery may be the perfect solution for you!

Several ingredients can chemically resurface your skin and can be diluted or combined to form peels that range from very light and superficial to deeper treatments. Dr. Pace will determine the best peel to meet your needs, learn about your areas of concern, and align your treatment with your expected results and aftercare tolerance.

If you are interested in undergoing a chemical peel treatment at our Greensboro, NC facility, please fill out the scheduling form below or call our office directly and a helpful member of our team will be able to assist you. Contact us today.

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