This procedure was designed to improve and remove the fine wrinkles found around the mouth, lower eyelids and cheeks. It can also take up a minimum amount of sag that comes with age or results from the swelling that follows a facelift. It is very effective in improving the complexion and giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Sunspots, melasma and senile keratosis will be removed. It will NOT take the place of a facelift, but will aid the individual who does not yet need one or who has had one a few years before and is now beginning to show signs of wear. Chemical peels have real cosmetic value.
What Can Be Done
The field of chemical peeling has just recently expanded in the field of plastic surgery. In the past physicians had only one solution to offer patients. Now there are many solutions that can be used on the skin to improve your complexion. They are TCA (trichloracetic acid), alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), glycolic acid, resorcinol and phenol. Everyone is different and not all of these solutions are for you. This is why a consultation is important and an in-depth examination of your skin with a “black light” is needed to determine the extent of damage that has occurred to your skin. This examination will determine which solution is right for you and what concentration is needed.
Procedure
The procedure will be performed in my clinic and will take about one hour. You will be asked to arrive at the office one hour before you treatment in order to receive medication. Wear a loose fitting top that buttons up the front and no facial makeup. It is to your advantage to make a conscientious effort to remove all of your makeup before coming to the clinic. You will be given a mild sedative prior to treatment in order to allay apprehension. This procedure is accompanied by some discomfort but it is well tolerated with analgesics. After you are relaxed and at ease, the chemical solutions will be applied. Your skin will feel hot (like a bad sunburn) and tight. This feeling will last for about two days. This feeling is the tightening taking place that we want to occur.
Recovery
You will return to my office the following day so that I may evaluate your result. Your skin will take on a brownish tint and will begin to peel in about 48 hours. On the third day, you will be instructed to apply light mineral oil in order to loosen the peeling skin. Healing should be complete in 4 to 6 days. You are instructed to avoid sunlight and ultraviolet light for six months since they have a tendency to cause hyper pigmentation. Chemical peeling is now is available to everyone.
Instructions
To safeguard the results you have gained, you are urged to avoid excess weight gain and loss. The stretch and slack will play havoc with our work. Do not allow severe facial massages. After six months, you may tan your face, but too much sun will dry and tan the skin to leather and increase wrinkles many-fold. It is not the lot of everyone to grow old gracefully and thus plastic surgery has been perfected so that people can continue to be attractive to themselves and others. Let everyone enjoy your new attractiveness and if someone should guess our secret, do not be upset. You will have given up two to three years of wear and tear, but how much you make of your new face will depend on your happiness, health, eye sparkle, hair style and makeup. Medical estheticians will be available to you for consultation.
Dr. Manchester's San Diego office is conveniently placed near:
