Blue Peel

The Blue Peel is an in-office procedure designed to significantly improve the appearance and health of your skin. Using the chemical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) mixed with a special blue base to slow penetration, the Blue Peel allows your doctor to monitor the appropriate depth to effectively remove the thin surface layers of aged and damaged skin from the face or other parts of the body. These dead skin cells are replaced by healthier ones, allowing the skin’s own clarity and tightness to resurface.

Are you a candidate?

The Blue Peel uses a chemical solution to remove damaged outer layers of skin and improve and smooth skin texture. The Blue Peel is ideal for treating facial blemishes, wrinkles, or uneven skin pigmentation. The precise formula may be adjusted to meet your individual needs. Although a Blue Peel may be performed in conjunction with a Facelift or other facial rejuvenation surgery, it is not a substitute for such surgery, nor will it prevent or slow the aging process. A Blue Peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons -to enhance your appearance and your self confidence.

With a Blue Peel, your healed skin will be able to produce pigment as always; the peel will not bleach the skin. You will be advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment to protect the newly formed layers of skin. The Blue Peel is a safe treatment; however, it may produce some unintended color changes in the skin.

Preparing for your Blue Peel

To minimize the risks with the Blue Peel, you will be instructed on how to prepare your skin before the procedure. Sometimes a Tretinoin such as Retin-A-a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A-is used to pretreat the skin. This thins out the skin’s surface layer, allowing the active solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A, especially if you have blotchy skin areas or pigmentation problems. You may have to spend a month or more in the pretreatment phase before you are scheduled for the actual peel.

Where will your Blue Peel be performed?

Chemical peels may be safely performed in a doctor’s office, office-based surgical facility, or outpatient surgical center. Local anesthesia is not required for Blue Peels because the chemical solution acts as an anesthetic; however, sedation may be used before and during the procedure to relax you and keep you comfortable.

How is the Blue Peel performed?

Typically, the skin is first thoroughly cleansed. Then, the surgeon will carefully apply the peel solution. You may feel a stinging sensation as the peel solution is applied, but this feeling will quickly pass. Two or more peels may be needed to obtain the desired result; treatments may be spaced out over several months. Mild Blue Peels may be repeated as often as every month.

What will the recovery period be like?

After a Blue Peel, your doctor may prescribe a mild pain medication to relieve any tingling or throbbing you may feel. A crust or scab will form on the treated area. To help your face heal properly, it is essential that you follow your doctor’s specific postoperative instructions. A Blue Peel may also cause significant swelling, depending on the strength of the peel used. After healing, the skin is lighter in color, tighter, smoother, and younger looking. For makeup tips, ask us for the all natural mineral camouflage cosmetics.

Your new look

Improvements from Blue Peel peels may be subtle at first. You may detect a healthier glow to your skin. With continued treatments, you will notice a general improvement in the texture of your skin. Your skin will be noticeably smoother and fresher-looking.

Come visit our office for a treatment now.