Print this Page
Have talking points at your fingertips during your consultation with your surgeon.
Bookmark this Page
Researching your procedure? Add this page to your bookmark list for future browsing.
Email to a Friend
Know someone else who might benefit from this information? Send them a link using our form.
Skin Care in New Hampshire - Chemical Peels
Smooth, radiant skin can be an emblem of youth, vitality, and health. This may be why the cosmetics industry sells millions of dollars worth of products each year which promise to improve the tone and texture of the skin. But these products offer little benefit for those with wrinkles, scarring, and uneven pigmentation, as they merely treat the very surface layers of skin.
Chemical peels can improve the appearance and tone of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers, and allowing new, healthy skin to emerge. As part of a customized skincare routine, Dr. Jerome Sepic, a New Hampshire plastic surgeon, often performs TCA or other chemical peels for patients from all over New England who want to treat their fine wrinkles, superficial blemishes, discoloration and scarring, and reveal younger looking skin.
If you would like to learn more about chemical peels, click here to request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jerome Sepic at Great Bay Plastic Surgery in Portsmouth, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.
Meet Dr. Sepic
A talented and compassionate surgeon, Dr. Sepic completed his plastic surgery residency at Harvard before entering private practice in the Seacoast region. He looks forward to meeting you.
What is a TCA Peel?
There are many different formulations used for chemical peels, varying from mild to strong, which produce a range of results. Dr. Sepic often uses trichloracetic acid (TCA), which has proven to be safe and effective for most skin types for medium-depth peeling. TCA peels may be used to smooth out surface wrinkles, eliminate superficial blemishes, and even out uneven skin tone or pigmentation problems. TCA does not affect the production of pigment, and does not bleach the skin, so is appropriate for most skin colorations. Unlike some other peel formulas, TCA may be used on the neck or other areas of the body, in addition to the face.
Your TCA Peel Procedure
It is very important that your chemical peel procedure is performed by a medical doctor with training and experience in skin resurfacing. Many plastic surgeons in New Hampshire offer chemical peels, but may not perform the procedure themselves. The strength of the formulation and the depth of the peel are critical to achieving the desired result and avoiding unwanted side effects.
Dr. Sepic may prescribe a pre-treatment plan to prepare your skin for the TCA peel. This typically involves a regimen of Retin A or alpha-hydroxy acid treatment for a few weeks prior to the peel, to thin out the skin and allow the peel to penetrate more effectively. At the time of your procedure, Dr. Sepic will thoroughly cleanse the skin, then carefully apply the TCA solution. You may feel an immediate stinging sensation, but this should go away quickly. The solution will be allowed to penetrate the skin for a few minutes, with a full-face peel typically taking no more than 15 minutes.
Recovery and Results
After your TCA treatment, you may have temporary swelling, tingling, or throbbing of the skin, which should be manageable with over the counter medications. The discomfort and swelling should subside within the first week, during which time the treated areas will begin to peel, revealing fresh skin beneath.
It is very important that you follow Dr. Sepic's instructions for post-procedure skin care. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine TCA peel patients will achieve the best results if they avoid sun exposure and follow a strict skin care regimen after their treatment, which may include continued peels.
As your new skin emerges, you will notice subtle changes, such as a more refreshed, healthy appearance, which may last up to six months. Continued treatments may produce more noticeable improvements in the overall tone and texture of your skin. Many patients combine skin resurfacing procedures with other less invasive procedures, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment or injectable fillers for a more complete facial rejuvenation without surgery.
To learn more about your anti-aging skin care options, click here to request a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jerome Sepic, a New Hampshire plastic surgeon serving the Seacoast region and all of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Or you can call our office at (603) 334-6800 to schedule an appointment.
