Are Chemical Peels Painful?

Most peels contain an anesthetic agent and are thus very comfortable for patients. For deeper peels, a local anesthetic with sedation is applied. For further comfort, we recommend that patients apply the post-peel ointment that is given to them.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most people need a single appointment per chemical peel. Maintenance requires repeated treatment every one to two months for light peels, but deeper peels can last up to ten years. Peel results can be extended by ensuring the practice of good skincare and maintaining regular use of sunscreen.

How Long Until I See Results?

It will take one week for the skin to flake and the newer, rejuvenated skin beneath to show.

Can I Combine a Chemical Peel with Other Procedures?

Absolutely, yes! Our patients who have received chemical peels in Houston have considered combining them with an injectable or a filler. Combining chemical peels and dermal fillers can be highly effective for patients with hyperpigmentation concerns. If you are considering combining procedures, please mention them to Dr. Sato at your initial consultation so that she can include them in her treatment plan.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Chemical Peel?

Although rare, there are some noted risks associated with chemical peels, such as: Dryness Redness and inflammation Blisters Itching Allergic reactions Discoloration Burning sensation Discomfort Scarring While most of these effects are temporary, if you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reaction, please contact our practice immediately so that we may help.

Houston, TX

In Houston

Chemical Peels

Introduction to Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a non-invasive facial treatment that aims to control blemishes, fine lines, blackheads, irregular pigmentation, oily skin, and other types of skin challenges. Our skin reacts daily to our internal and external environment, the internal evolution of our genetics, and just pure time. In some ways, it is our shield to the outer world, being the body’s biggest and most exposed organ. Chemical peels are a popular treatment for skin challenges because of the low recovery downtime, which varies depending on the peel’s strength and affordability. If you are interested in getting a chemical peel in Houston, visit the practice of board-certified plastic surgeon Erika Sato, M.D. You will be guaranteed expert patient care with long-lasting results.

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What is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel, also referred to as a medical peel, is a procedure akin to getting a facial at a spa. The difference is that, with a chemical peel, a customized chemical formula is applied to the skin to exfoliate the outermost layers of the facial skin. There are varying depths of chemical peels available. Please read below for the different treatments:

Light Chemical Peel: A light chemical peel is the minimum strength peel we offer to clients who are targeting uneven pigmentation, dryness, acne, or fine lines. This peel exfoliates a tiny layer of the outer skin and results in a rejuvenated glow.
Medium Chemical Peel: The chemicals used for this type of peel will remove skin cells from both the outer layer of skin or the epidermis and the upper part of your middle layer of skin or the dermis. They target similar symptoms, such as a lighter peel.
Deep Chemical Peel: Deep chemical peels might be the right choice for clients looking to eliminate deeper facial wrinkles, sun spots, scars, blotches, or even pre-cancerous growths.

A deep chemical peel commonly involves a six-to-eight-week pretreatment that includes the topical application of a Vitamin A prescription gel or cream. This medication thins the skin’s surface layer, allowing for deeper penetration with the peel. Given the depth of these peels, they might be performed with a local anesthetic to assure comfort.

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Chemical Peels We Offer

Cosmelan

The Cosmelan® peel is a noninvasive, multi-phase depigmentation treatment that targets the appearance of sunspots, melasma, scares, and other forms of hyperpigmentation, corrects the overproduction of pigmentation, and prevents the reappearance of those impurities. While standard peels can treat the problem on the surface, Cosmelan® treatments target the source of the issue. The treatment consists of four phases: intense depigmentation, depigmentation, regulation, and control.

The first phase will occur in our office and be performed by either Dr. Sato or one of our trained providers. The chemical requires about 8-12 hours to remove the melanin deposits from the skin and heal effectively. The next three phases can be performed in your own home, beginning with the use of a facial cream that can remove and reduce melanic spots, followed by applying a balm for a calming and healing effect, and finishing with a tinted facial sunscreen that provides extra protection for your skin.

VI Peel

A VI Peel is a medium-depth peel that is usable for all skin types and tones. It targets the epidermis, or outermost layer, but also affects the dermis underneath. This peel exfoliates the skin and stimulates collagen production and other anti-aging proteins. Patients who use a VI Peel treat signs of aging, improve skin texture, and correct pigmentary issues. VI Peels are gentle on the skin and, therefore, can be used in sensitive areas such as the chest, eyelids, hands, and back.

What Are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels can be used for all skin types and tones. Our patients who have received a chemical peel in Houston have enjoyed rejuvenated skin with a youthful glow. The following are other commonly reported benefits:

Elimination of damaged skin
Improved efficacy of skincare products as increased penetration
More even and smooth skin texture,
Reduced hyperpigmentation
Reduced wrinkles and fine lines

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Chemical Peel Treatment?

Chemical peels are ideal options for those looking at cosmetic solutions to address skin damage. Some deeper peels can even address more serious skin conditions such as melasma, rosacea, and precancerous growths. If you are interested in chemical peels in Houston, TX, but are still trying to decide if you are a good candidate, here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Are not immuno-suppressed
Do not have major underlying medical conditions
Have a precancerous growth
Have a weathered and nonuniform complexion
Have acne, scars, or oily skin
Have hyperpigmentation
Have melasma
Have moderate to severe fine lines and wrinkles
Have sun damage
Maintain realistic expectations from the procedure
Not currently pregnant or nursing

Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting a chemical peel in Houston, TX, is to schedule an in-person visit at the practice of Erika Sato, M.D. While chemical peels are safe for most skin types and tones, they may not be the perfect option for all clients. This is why patients must discuss their medical and aesthetic history, goals, and expectations. Dr. Sato will evaluate your target area, outlining the various types of peels to choose from and their associated risks, benefits, and recovery timelines.

At the end of the consultation, Dr. Sato will give you a treatment plan, which you can take to our patient coordinator to schedule and price your treatment.

What to Expect on the Day of a Chemical Peel Treatment

On the day of your chemical peel, the target area will first be cleansed before the treatment. Depending on the level of the peel, you’ll be given a topical anesthetic to ease the process should there be any discomfort. Then, the chemical solution will be applied to the target area, inducing a slight burning sensation. These solutions also contain an anesthetic, so you should have relief shortly thereafter. Depending on the depth of the peel, at varying times, the chemical solution will be wiped off and replaced with a neutralizing solution to stop the chemical reaction.

In addition to the general cleansing as described above, here are the varying treatments and what to expect:

Light Chemical Peel: The chemical solution is left on just for a few minutes. Patients might feel some mild stinging.
Medium Chemical Peel: The chemical solution is left for just a few minutes. Patients might feel some burning or stinging; then the skin turns a whitish grey. The next day or two, the skin could turn a reddish brown, after which it will start slowly shedding over the next few weeks. Patients are encouraged to maintain moisturized skin during this process.
Deep Chemical Peel: You will be given a local anesthetic and sedative to numb the phase. After the initial cleansing, the chemical solution is brushed onto the face and then neutralized after the appropriate time has passed. After neutralization, a thick coat of ointment is smoothed over your skin and must stay in place. Sometimes, Dr. Sato might even cover the treated area with medicated gauze rather than ointment.

The treatment could take anywhere from fifteen minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the treatment area and the depth of your chemical peel.

Chemical Peels Recovery

After your chemical peel at the practice of Erika Sato, M.D., your skin might appear pink, with some swelling, followed by peeling for about a week. The practice will send you home with a protectant ointment that needs to be applied regularly during the first few days as the skin starts peeling off. Patients are also strongly urged to stay out of sunlight; if they must go out, they are advised to use medical-grade sunscreen. For deeper peels, patients might even experience more discomfort and swelling. Pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed as needed.

How Much Does a Chemical Peel Cost in Houston, TX?

The cost of a chemical peel in Houston, TX, will vary depending on the strength of the chemical peel solution, the size of the target area, and the number of treatments needed for optimal results. Please schedule an appointment to consult with a technician for further insight into your customized needs and cost.

Why Choose Dr. Sato?

Dr. Erika Sato should be your choice for your chemical peel in Houston because she is committed to providing excellence in care while treating every patient like family. Furthermore, she is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. She performs the latest treatments in aesthetic surgery as well as nonsurgical rejuvenation. Dr. Sato is also affiliated with the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).

Chemical Peels FAQ’S

Absolutely, yes! Our patients who have received chemical peels in Houston have considered combining them with an injectable or a filler. Combining chemical peels and dermal fillers can be highly effective for patients with hyperpigmentation concerns. If you are considering combining procedures, please mention them to Dr. Sato at your initial consultation so that she can include them in her treatment plan.
Although rare, there are some noted risks associated with chemical peels, such as:
- Dryness
- Redness and inflammation
- Blisters
- Itching
- Allergic reactions
- Discoloration
- Burning sensation
- Discomfort
- Scarring
While most of these effects are temporary, if you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reaction, please contact our practice immediately so that we may help.

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Schedule a consultation

Are you tired of the appearance of your beaten-down skin? If so, a chemical peel in Houston at the practice of Erika Sato, M.D., could be the answer you’re looking for! Contact our practice today to schedule your in-person consultation as soon as possible and get started on a journey to more rejuvenated skin.

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