Chemical Peels and Combination Therapy

Washington, D.C.

Chemical peels have long been used as skin rejuvenation procedures. In the right hands, chemical peels can safely address many common facial concerns, including wrinkles, uneven skin coloration, and a dull complexion. Depending on the severity of the problem the peel is designed to address, you can often see results immediately with little or no recovery necessary. Chemical peels have been found to be a powerful complement to other skin treatments, leading to numerous innovations in what is known as combination therapy.

To put on a fresher face and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and other common skin conditions, please schedule a chemical peel appointment with the cosmetic dermatologists at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery today.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel involves the application of medical acids to remove the damaged skin layers in order to produce more youthful appearance. A healing response to the peel can also trigger new collagen formation so the skin appears tighter and more elastic

What Areas Can Be Treated with a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are most commonly used on the face, but can be used on other body areas such as the chest, shoulders and arms to eliminate lines, freckles, or age spots. Patients with more extensive sun damage on the legs can also be treated with chemical peels.

What Is Combination Therapy?

In experimenting with chemical peels and light therapy, dermasurgeons discovered that the youth-prolonging results of chemical peels can be significantly enhanced by combining chemical peels with other skin treatments. Although many of the overall goals and effects of chemical peels, CO2 laser skin resurfacing, and other treatments may be the same, some of the subtler interactions between the skin and the treatment can be dramatically different. Often, they produce the same effect with different methods, and combining them can increase the level of results beyond what either treatment can do alone. This is the rationale behind combination therapy.

What Types of Combination Therapy Are Available?

Theoretically, chemical peels can be combined with any light, laser, or skin therapy. The most popular combinations include:

• Laser and light-based techniques like CO2 laser skin resurfacing and Fraxel re:store laser treatment that stimulate collagen remodeling and remove pigmented lesions
• Thermage non-surgical radiofrequency treatment to tighten and lift sagging skin
• Topical prescriptions that pack a powerful punch against wrinkles like Retin A™, Tazorac™ and Avage™
• Dermal fillers like collagen, Juvederm and Restylane to smooth the "hills and valleys"
• BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport to relax wrinkles

The Chemical Peel Procedure

Chemical peels are typically performed as an outpatient procedure in an office setting. The type and concentration of the peeling agent control the depth of the peel. During your consultation with Dr. Tina Alster, Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, or Dr. Jennifer MacGregor, you will discuss your cosmetic goals and the tradeoffs involved in peels of different depths. Treatment can be customized according to each patient's skin type, skin damage and desired results. As a rule, the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery time. In all cases, avoid sun exposure immediately after a chemical peel and use sun block during the healing process since the new skin is fragile and more susceptible to injury.

To learn more about the new and innovative uses for this traditional favorite cosmetic procedure, schedule a facial rejuvenation appointment at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery today.