A Chemical Peel, or chemical resurfacing, uses chemicals like glycolic or salicylic acid to damage the skin, stimulating your body's natural healing process to produce smoother, younger looking skin. Chemical peels can be superficial, for the treatment of mild to moderate damage due to aging, acne scarring and exposure to the sun; deep peels require general anesthesia and are used to treat only the most severe skin damage. Here are some tips to help you choose a chemical peel specialist.
Learn Whether Your Specialist Is Certified
Many states don't require chemical peel specialists to have a certification in order to apply chemical peels. While many dermatologists and plastic surgeons are qualified to administer chemical peels, you should ask your specialist whether he is certified, how much experience he has had, where and how he was trained and which types of peels he's qualified to administer.
Ask for Photos
A good way to gauge your professional's skill is to look at before and after photos of his previous patients. Any reputable professional should be willing to show you photos of patients who've received treatment for conditions similar to yours.
Learn What the Procedure Entails
There are different types of chemical peels, but unless you're seeking to repair severe skin damage, you'll probably get one of the first two types, mild or medium. In any case, ask your professional what chemicals he'll use, how long the procedure will take and how it will be performed, what side effects you can expect, how you can prepare your skin before the procedure, how much recovery time you can expect to need and how many treatments you'll need to get the results you want.
Ask about the Cost
Medical insurance usually doesn't cover chemical peels. When asking your professional about the price, you can find out about financing options. Make sure your quote includes the cost of any sedation you might need during the procedure.
