Question: I have been trying all sorts of masks, wrinkle creams, and other over-the-counter methods to reduce my wrinkling which, as a 62-year-old woman, I have a great deal of. I know that facelifts typically do not do very much for wrinkling, so I have been looking into other options. Could a chemical peel essentially erase the small age lines all over my face?
Answer: Yes, certain types of chemical peels could erase the small age lines all over your face but it would have to be a relatively aggressive chemical peel such as a Baker-Gordon phenol peel to accomplish this task. These types of deeper chemical peels need to be performed in an accredited facility either under general anesthesia or rather deep sedation. I personally prefer the Erbium laser over the Baker-Gordon phenol chemical peels due to the fact that the chemical peels tend to overly lighten the coloration of the skin, and I feel that the chemicals also have a higher risk of creating some scarring than the Erbium laser does. Ultimately, a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon would be appropriate so that all of your treatment options could be discussed, and a customized treatment plan can be developed that works into your finances and lifestyle.