About Chemical Peels
To produce the best results from chemical peel facial treatments, Urbaniak Plastic Surgery provides you with options. Your professional facial treatment with chemical solutions (such as glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and trichloroacetic acids) will give you healthier, smoother skin. At our Largo and Clearwater, FL offices, board-certified physician Ginger L. Urbaniak, M.D. offers chemical peel treatments that help to minimize skin abnormalities like wrinkles, scars, fine lines, rough patches, hyperpigmentation issues, and more. Chemical peels dissolve dead, damaged skin cells with a special peel created custom for your skin. This peel then causes the visible layer of skin to flake off. As your skin heals and begins to rejuvenate and repair itself, you will notice a clearer, smoother complexion. A chemical peel treatment is a noninvasive option to enhance the radiance of your skin and can be used for both the neck and face.
Variations of Chemical Peels
At our Largo and Clearwater, FL offices, we perform chemical peels at several levels of strength (light, medium, and deep) to meet our patients' skincare needs and goals. The peels we offer are:
- Light peels: You can have a light chemical peel during your lunch break and then go back to your normal day. This level of peel will remove the top skin layer (the epidermis), giving your face a brighter appearance and softer texture. We typically suggest that you receive a light chemical peel about once a month for the best, glowing results. An example of a light peel that we offer is the ZO Stimulator peel, which is also known as the "red carpet" peel because it provides your skin with a deep exfoliation that requires no downtime, giving you instant, glowing results.
- Medium-depth peels: This level of chemical peel reaches deeper into your skin, and you'll usually prefer to do this strength of facial rejuvenation treatment over a long weekend. You may also need to prepare yourself for more discomfort during and up to an hour after peel. Medium-depth peels are designed for patients who have significant damage to their skin including deeper wrinkles and darker pigmentation issues. An example of a medium-depth peel we provide at our office is the highly sought-out Jessner's peel, which is an incredibly renowned technique due to the radiant results it produces.
- Deep peels: The most advanced of the three types of chemical peels is the deep chemical peel, and it will require the lengthiest recovery time. This is an aggressive procedure that can leave your face itchy, swollen, and peeling for 2 – 3 weeks. Patients who get a deep peel may have dark age spots, sun-damaged skin, prominent acne scars, and deep-seated scars. As this level of peel is usually uncomfortable for most patients, we can provide you with local anesthesia before your peel.
- ZO 3-step peel: A ZO 3-step peel is a chemical peel performed with ZO skin care products that occurs in three steps. The first step of the process is the application of the peel solution to exfoliate the skin. This is then followed by step two, which is the application of the stimulating retinol creme. This product works to encourage cellular function at a deeper level for collagen enhancement, firming, and wrinkle reduction. The third and final step of this peel is the application of the calming creme, which works to minimize the inflammation and irritation that can result from the first two steps. The calming creme also works to restore the moisture balance of the skin.
Reviews
Ideal Candidates
Getting the expert recommendation of a cosmetic professional is the first step in your journey to achieve healthy, smooth skin. A team member at Urbaniak Plastic Surgery can assess your skin during a thorough examination at our Largo or Clearwater, FL office before choosing a chemical peel treatment for your best results. Chemical peel candidates, women and men alike, should have noticeable concerns on their skin including scars, flaky skin, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, or much more. We may suggest varying strengths of chemical peels to adequately suit both your needs and goals.
Procedure Technique
During your procedure at Urbaniak Plastic Surgery, we will have you lying down in a relaxed position to administer your peel. We will make sure your skin is cleansed before applying the customized solution to your face, neck, or both. We will then spread the solution onto your face and let it set for a specific amount of time, which will be discussed in your treatment planning session. Next, we will wash the solution off your face and apply a neutralizing agent. You should bring a light sunscreen and/or a hat to wear outside after the peel to protect your skin from UV exposure and any potential damage.
What to Expect
Depending on the strength of the peel you receive, you can expect the treated area to itch and peel from a few days to a couple weeks. Dr. Ginger Urbaniak or a member of her team will discuss ways in which to care for your skin after your procedure. Please keep in mind that no matter how much your skin itches during the recovery, it is never good to peel the skin off. This could cause scarring to your skin!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a chemical peel cost?
Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will go over your costs during your consultation as soon as she has developed your customized treatment plan. The cost of a chemical peel can vary based on the formula selected to address your needs. Urbaniak Plastic Surgery accepts many payments methods, and there are often specials on treatments like chemical peels. You may also consider buying a package of several chemical peel treatments. Our office also offers a Diamond Membership program to our patients, which features exclusive offers and discounts on some of our more popular nonsurgical procedures, skin care products, and more.
What level should I choose for my chemical peel?
The best chemical peel for your skin will depend on your unique issues and cosmetic goals. During your consultation with Dr. Ginger Urbaniak, she will help you choose which peel is right for your skin. Some factors you may consider are your overall health, your skin type, how deep you want the peel to work, how long you can spend in recovery, and what concerns you have about the appearance of your skin. Initially, it's better to select a lighter peel and see how you like the results. From there, you and Dr. Urbaniak may alter your plan to decide the best chemical peel level for your skin.
Should I get a chemical peel or dermabrasion treatment?
Chemical peels and dermabrasion are both facial rejuvenation procedures that address surface blemishes to give your skin a smoother appearance. The main difference is that dermabrasion uses surgical tools (a rotating brush or shaving instrument) to remove the top layer of skin through a careful scraping process. A chemical peel uses a caustic solution that is applied to your skin to dissolve damaged skin cells. During your consultation, Dr. Ginger Urbaniak will explain the advantages of both options and help you decide whether a chemical peel or dermabrasion best fits your needs and goals. Typically, we recommend patients to combine the two treatments to reap optimal results! Combining a chemical peel with dermabrasion is often called a micropeel and allows the chemical solution to seep deeper into the skin, which provides radiant outcomes.
Will my face hurt after a chemical peel?
Depending on the chemicals used, you may experience some discomfort when the solution is on your skin. If you choose a lighter peel, you may feel some stinging, but this goes away quickly with the use of a handheld fan. Medium and deep peels are good for deeper damage and produce longer-lasting results, but they are usually more uncomfortable. Topical anesthetics, medications, and ointments can be applied to minimize your discomfort during the treatment.
Can I combine a chemical peel with other treatments?
You may consider combining a chemical peel with another skin treatment at Urbaniak Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, be honest with Dr. Ginger Urbaniak about your skin and cosmetic concerns so she can create a unique treatment plan to achieve your goals. This may include injectable wrinkle treatments (like BOTOX or Juvéderm) along with your chemical peel to rejuvenate your whole appearance. You could also combine your chemical peel with a dermaplaning procedure for optimal results.
Related Procedures
Great Skin Starts here
If this is your first time selecting a rejuvenating procedure to boost the health and appearance of your skin, our team at Urbaniak Plastic Surgery will help you determine the best treatment program for your needs. When you elect to have a chemical peel performed by a skilled skin care expert on our staff, your newly revived skin will thank you. Your complexion can be brighter and more radiant than ever with any of the customized peels we offer. Call our office in Largo or Clearwater, FL to schedule a one-on-one skin consultation today to find out how a chemical peel can benefit your skin.