Patients recover quicker with a TCA peel and can return to normal activities in about a week. Phenol peels are used to treat fine or coarse wrinkles, blotchy skin coloring, and skin that has been chronically sun-damaged. Patients that have phenol peels take about 2 weeks to recover, and will experience some swelling for a few days. It is very important that patients follow the doctors post-op instructions, such as staying out of the sun and wind for at least four weeks.

Depending upon your specific skin type and the imperfections you wish to correct, your surgeon will make a recommendation for you. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia, and takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours. It may be performed along with other plastic surgery procedures.