Chemical Peels
Boston, MA
Introduction to Chemical Peels
Due to your environment, lifestyle, and the natural aging process, your skin will lose its glow, its youthful appearance, and its elasticity over time. While most people fully expect it, at the office of Vickram Tandon, MD in Boston, we don’t see why you should be stuck with the results! Chemical peels can help you rejuvenate the skin on your face, and over other areas of your body, offering a more youthful appearance, and the deep, healthy glow that you deserve.
What Are Chemical Peels?
A Chemical Peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure that exfoliates your skin using a chemical solution to improve the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and enlarged pores. When performed by a professional, old and damaged skin cells are removed to reveal the younger and healthier cells below – the deeper the peel, the younger and healthier the cells are.
While most treatments require some form of phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), the precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient’s needs.
There Are 3 Different Levels Of Chemical Peels:
A superficial chemical peel that typically contains a glycolic acid or salicylic acid that removes the top layer of skin (epidermis). It’s most commonly used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness.
Can be performed every two to five weeks for optimal results.
This solution contains trichloroacetic acid, sometimes in combination with glycolic acid, to remove the skin cells from the epidermis and portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). This peel is also used to treat wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. Some patients may require multiple treatments to achieve or maintain their desired results.
This treatment can usually be performed every four to six months.
The most extreme peel, it contains carbolic acid (phenol) and provides an even deeper treatment, and is used for deeper wrinkles, scars, or precancerous growths. Intravenous (IV) fluids will be administered to keep you comfortable and your body as cool as possible.
What Are The Benefits Of A Chemical Peels Procedure?
Our Boston Chemical Peel patients have seen the following benefits from their treatment sessions:
- Diminishes the appearance of sun damage
- Reduces blotchy patches
- Clears up inflammation and reduces the appearance of acne
- Smooths out and eliminates scarring
- Lightens skin and improves dull, ruddy complexions
- Reveals smoother, fresher skin and restores a silkier texture
- Removes age spots
- Improves collagen growth
- Gets rid of dead skin cell build-up
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Tandon will help you determine whether you need a light, medium, or deep chemical peel to treat your skin concerns.
Who Are The Best Candidates For Chemical Peels?
At Vickram Tandon, MD, we believe good candidates for a Chemical Peel in Bosotn are patients who have:
- A history of abnormal skin scarring
- Do not have skin conditions or medications that make the skin more sensitive than normal
- Extra pigmentation from scarring
- Haven’t used certain acne treatments within the last year
- Naturally dark complexion or skin tone
- Realistic expectations for treatment results
It should be noted that while Chemical Peels can deliver long-lasting results for all kinds of skin types and tones, they do work best on fairer skin tones with thinner layers.
Unfortunately, we can not recommend this treatment to patients with freckles (specifically deep peels) as they can produce unnatural-looking results or to those with deep-set wrinkles or heavy sagging skin. Pregnant women or nursing mothers should also wait before receiving a chemical peel, as well as those with a history of skin disease or cold sore outbreaks. Patients with darker skin pigment may experience inadequate or different results from a patient with fairer skin.
If you have any concerns or questions about your candidacy, please feel free to contact our office for more information.
What's the first step?
The first step to getting a Boston Chemical Peel is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vickram Tandon. When you come in for your appointment, the two of you will discuss your aesthetic goals for the treatment and he will address any questions or concerns you may have. You will be asked some questions about your medical history and lifestyle. Please be open and honest when having this discussion because the information you provide will help reduce the possibility of unnecessary risks. Dr. Tandon will then evaluate your skin to decide which level of peel is best for you, and if the two of you agree with his recommendation, your treatment plan will be created.
If you are having a light or medium peel, you will be able to have your session performed immediately after your consultation. If you are having a deep peel or you would like to reschedule for another day, our Patient Coordinator will help you with that.
What To Expect On The Day Of Chemical Peels
When you come into our practice for your Chemical Peel, your face will first be cleaned, your hair will be protected, and your eyes will be covered for protection, usually with gauze, tape, or goggles.
Most patients won’t require any sort of pain relief for lighter peels, as the treatment is virtually painless. If you’re having a medium peel, you can request a mild sedative or painkiller to ease any discomfort. Patients getting a deep peel will require a numbing agent applied to the treated area and be provided a sedative.
Each chemical peel may be slightly different, but should be similar to the following experiences:
Dr. Tandon will begin by using either a brush, cotton ball, gauze, or sponge to apply the chemical solution, which will cause your skin to whiten. You may experience a very mild stinging sensation when the chemical solution is applied, but within a few minutes, Dr. Tandon will apply a neutralizing solution or wash to your skin that removes the chemical solution from the treated area.
Similar to the way a light peel is performed, Dr. Tandon will use a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze to apply the solution, again whitening your treated skin. After a few minutes with it on your skin, either Dr. Tandon or his assistant will apply a cool compress to help soothe the treated area. There is a slight stinging and burning sensation that can last up to 20 minutes, but you can be given a hand-held fan to help cool off your skin.
A medium peel requires no neutralizing solution.
Before a deep peel, you will be administered IV fluids into your veins and your heart rate will be closely monitored. A cotton-tipped applicator is used again to apply the chemical solution to your skin; this can turn your skin either white or gray.
To limit your exposure to phenol, Dr. Tandon will perform the procedure in portions of 15-minute intervals, which means a full-facial procedure could take about 90 minutes to complete.
Chemical Peels Recovery
You will be able to return home immediately after your treatment. You can expect your face to feel a little tight and mildly red. Whatever you do, do NOT begin peeling off your dead skin for the first two or three days post-treatment – this could create an adverse effect. Once you do begin naturally peeling, we recommend staying at home for a few days. Peeling of the outermost skin layers should not be painful unless you begin to pull on it. The peeling process won’t last more than one week.
- You will need to stay out of the sun and moisturize routinely. Anytime you are exposed to sunlight, you will need to protect your skin with sunscreen. You will be able to resume wearing light makeup after about three weeks.
- The results of a chemical peel are very rewarding, as this treatment will remove all of the dead cells and upper layers of damaged and worn-out skin, leaving you with baby-fresh skin that looks and feels healthy.
- Depending on your chemical peel level, Dr. Tandon may wish to see you for a follow-up visit to ensure your skin is healing properly and that you are not developing any scarring or other complications.
How Much Do Chemical Peels Cost In Boston, MA?
The cost of a Chemical peel in Boston varies on numerous factors, specifically the level of the peel and the surface area being treated, so it’s best to book your consultation and allow Dr. Tandon to evaluate your skin. After your treatment plan is made, our Patient Coordinator can provide you with a price breakdown for your treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Tandon?
Vickram Tandon, MD is known in the cosmetic surgery industry for his compassion and concern towards patient care. He enjoys taking his time and listening to his patient’s concerns and goals, and then working with them to achieve their desired results. As a graduate of Brown University’s medical school, Dr. Tandon has performed his residency at the top-ranked University of Michigan in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, followed by a prestigious year-long fellowship program in Aesthetic Surgery through Harvard Plastic Surgery. As a plastic surgeon, he has a well-deserved reputation for his artistic approach to plastic surgery and his ability to create natural-looking results that enhance each patient’s unique features.
Dr. Tandon Understood What I Wanted
I saw Dr. Tandon for Botox and lip filler and couldn’t be happier with my results. I was looking for a skilled doctor who would give me a natural look, and Dr. Tandon understood exactly what I wanted. He took a lot of care and time with my consult, it’s very clear that he cares so much about the quality of his work. I was also happily surprised that procedure was practically painless. I highly recommend working with Dr. Tandon!
I Highly Recommended Him
Dr. Tandon was truly one of the most personable and professionals doctors I hvae been treated by! He took the time to carefully understand the procedure I wanted and what I felt my problem areas are, then adjusted to address those. He both asked insightful questions to understand my needs and answered all my questions with patience to make me feel comfortable and confident. My results demonstrated all of that care and I could not be more pleased. I highly recommend him!
I Am Very Pleased With My Results
Dr. Tandon is a compassionate, personable and highly skilled plastic surgeon. irecently had an appointment with Dr. Tandon to get Botox.
