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Chemical Peel
Fight Aging
Chemical Peels
Have you ever wondered how some celebrities suddenly look years younger without going under the knife? The secret to it all are chemical peels, which offer beautifying results with no surgery involved.
By invigorating the collagen, they tighten the texture of your skin to fight fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and the other major signs of aging for a younger, healthier look without all the fuss or recovery time.
Frequently Asked
Questions
How Long Does The Treatment Take?
Superficial peels, which use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate. It only penetrates the outermost layer of skin. The treatment is used to improve the appearance of mild skin discoloration and rough skin as well as to refresh the face, neck, chest or hands.
Medium peels, which use trichloroacetic (35 percent or less) or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layer of skills. This makes it more effective for removing damaged skin cells. The treatment is used to improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles and moderate skin discoloration. It also can be used to smooth rough skin and treat some precancerous skin growths, i.e. actinic keratosis.
Deep peels, which fully penetrate the middle layer of the skin to remove damaged skin cells; these peels often use phenol or tricholoracetic acid (50-70%). The treatment removes moderate lines, age spots, freckles and shallow scars. Patients will see a dramatic improvement in skin appearance. The procedure is used on the face and only can be performed once.
The deeper the peel, the better the result. However, with deeper treatments expect more cost, more discomfort, a longer downtime, and more potential risk. Superficial peels have no downtime and are comfortably performed in the office setting.
What are the complications or potential side effects of a chemical peel?
- Temporary or permanent change in skin color, particularly for women on birth control pills, who subsequently become pregnant or have a history of brownish facial discoloration.
- Scarring
- Reactivation of cold sores
What can I expect after having a chemical peel?
All peels require some follow-up care:
Superficial peels require 1-7 days to heal. Treated skin will initially be red and may scale. Moisturizer should be applied until the skin heals, followed by daily use of sunscreen. Makeup can usually be worn the next day.
Medium peels require 7-14 days to heal. Treated skin will initially be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for the first 48 hours. Eyelids may swell shut. Blisters may form and break. Skin crusts and peels off in seven to 14 days. Skin must be soaked daily for a specified period, followed by ointment application. Antiviral medication is taken for 10 to 14 days. Moisturizer may be applied. Completely avoid all sun exposure until healing is complete. Camouflage makeup may be worn after one week. A follow-up appointment will be necessary to monitor progress.
Deep peels require 14-21 days to heal. The treated area will be bandaged. Skin must be soaked four to six times daily, followed by ointment application for the first 14 days. Afterwards a thick moisturizer is applied for the next 14 days. Antiviral medication is taken for 10 to 14 days. Mild lotion or cream may be applied. Avoid all sun exposure for three to six months. Camouflage makeup may be worn after 14 days. Several follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor progress.
Sun exposure and smoking after a chemical peel must be avoided because they can cause unwanted side effects, including infection and scarring.
Benefits of Chemical Peels
There are a number of reasons people may get chemical peels. They may be trying to treat a variety of things, including:
Sagging Skin
Hyperpigmentation
Melasma
Sun Damage
Scars
Acne Scars
Wrinkles + Fine Lines
Uneven Skin Tone or Redness
Related Procedures
Photofacial
PicoLazer
Microneedling
Hydrafacial
Before/After Gallery
Testimonials
Came to see my most favorite person, Dr. Nadel, and staff today! I started coming to see Dr. Nadel in 2022. She helped me immensely with my lips, which had been filled incorrectly for a long, long time! I come to her, only, because she is a wealth of knowledge and her bedside manner is spectacular! One of the nicest and most honest people I have ever met! Her staff is also incredible - so friendly and professional. Always go above and beyond to help. You won’t go wrong coming to see them. You will be thrilled! ❤️
I had an amazing experience at Totality Med Spa! I received Botox and filler from Sarah, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. She made me feel so comfortable, and the results look incredibly natural—exactly what I was hoping for. The entire team was so sweet and professional, and the atmosphere of the spa was warm and welcoming. Highly recommend Totality Med Spa for anyone looking for top-notch care and beautiful results!
The best staff! Grace and Sarah made sure I was so comfortable and they gave such great service. The office is gorgeous!
This salon is fantastic. Maureen explained everything- she is knowledgeable, professional, and friendly! She truly went above and beyond and I’ll be back again asap!
I highly recommend Totality specifically the Downtown location! It is always so refreshing walking into a place filled with people that all truly care about you. The girls in the front specifically Christina are so welcoming and friendly. They greet you with smiles and make the paperwork/photos process and scheduling so easy. I always walk out feeling my best not only from the appointment but also from the refreshing conversation while im waiting or at check out. I’ve never experienced such a welcoming environment. Not only are the two girls in the front amazing but the whole staff go above and beyond. Bethany Smith is hands down the best. She is so knowledgeable and makes you feel so seen and heard. She takes the time to research and find the right products for your skin. I feel like a lot of people will just recommend products just to sell them BUT not Bethany. Every product she recommends she educates you on and why it can help but she never pressures you into buying it. The product regimen she put me on has saved my skin, I couldn’t be happier. Sarah M is also amazing. I came to her originally to get my some of my lip filler dissolved from a different Medspa and the way she educated me on where and why she was dissolving built my trust in her but also the results were beautiful. She also did my liquid rhinoplasty and just wow!! She takes the time to listen to your concerns and will give you honest answers on if you need more or less filler or Botox. She truly cares about her clients and how she can help them become more confident without overdoing it. These wonderful ladies have never made me feel like a number or random client, they go above and beyond to make sure I have the best experience.
Thank you Totality Medispa:))) I am so happy that I finally found this place and the products I have been looking for. I have been using Obagi Nu Derm RX products prescribed by a doctor many years back from UAE and I never needed a prescription after that. I have been buying them every year when I travel . This year I couldn’t travel and I thought that Obagi FX would control my pigmentation but it didn’t work. My melasma is back and my skin started to look so dull with an uneven skin tone which is making me look ugly :((. Canada doesn’t sell RX system . If I want to buy the product online then I need a prescription and to find an online physician …in short very disappointed. A big thank you to Totality Medispa that I could purchase online without any difficulties and everything was so easy and I received my order. Prompt , efficient and great service . Thank you so much and I highly recommend them .
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Before + After
Gallery
Take a look at our gallery to view real patients’ before and after photos of treatments performed by Dr. Nicole Nadel and the rest of the Totality Medispa team in Charleston, SC.
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