What is the Blue Peel?

The Blue Peel is an in office procedure designed to improve the appearance and health of your skin. Using a low concentration of 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. The procedure is performed by your doctor, who has specialized training and experience with this effective and lower risk chemical peel.

Please call us if you have questions about Obagi Blue Peel at our office in San Diego or El Cajon, CA.

What is unique about the Blue Peel?

Unlike alpha-hydroxy peels or other superficial procedures, the Blue Peel allows your doctor to control the depth of the peel and the number of coats applied in order to tailor the process to your skin’s specific needs. The Blue Peel can even be performed on the neck, chest, hands, back, arms and legs.

What does the procedure consist of?

The Blue Peel is a quick, relatively simple and highly tolerable procedure that in most cases does not require sedation. Oral valium is sometimes given prior to the procedure.

Application of the Blue Peel takes about 20 minutes, depending on the number of coats your doctor has determined is necessary to achieve your goals. You will experience a mild burning sensation that lasts two to three minutes (your doctor may use an electric fan to minimize this sensation). Immediately after the procedure, a bluish tint remains on your skin, which will usually wash off in 12 to 24 hours. Your doctor can explain the process to you in greater detail.

How long is the recovery period?

After the procedure, you will experience light swelling, and your skin will begin to peel within 2 to 3 days. This peeling will continue over the next several days and should be healed in an average of 7 to 10 days.

If you are having a lighter, exfoliative Blue Peel, healing is completed in 3 to 6 days.

In either case, this peeling should not disrupt your regular lifestyle for long, although you may want to limit your normal activity.

Can I apply makeup after a Blue Peel?

To best aid in the recovery process, makeup should only be applied after the skin is completely healed.

How will my skin look after recovery?

When your skin has completely finished peeling, you will immediately notice the dramatic results of your newly improved complexion. Your skin’s appearance will continue to improve for the next 4 to 6 weeks, becoming firmer, clearer, smoother, healthier and more youthful looking.

Can the Blue Peel be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Your doctor has been trained to combine the Blue Peel with many other procedures you may be interested in. This can be very effective in achieving even more dramatic results in the same time period. Talk to your doctor about the possible combinations that may be best for your skin.

Can the Blue Peel be repeated for maximum results?

Your doctor will tell you how many peels are necessary to give you the desired result. In most cases, one to three Blue Peels can achieve significant improvements for many skin problems. The peels can be performed in 6 to 8 weeks intervals until your desired goals are reached.

Are there skin treatments required before a Blue Peel?

It is preferable for patients be on a pre operative skin care regime specific for each individual’s skin type for usually 4 to 6 weeks prior to having a Obagi Blue Peel. This helps promote better and quicker healing while decreasing the chance for complications. Often, the topical creams, (Retin A and hydroquinone) are both used. Treatment is individualized during your consultation visit with your doctor. Preparatory topical skin treatment is also used prior to deeper peels or laser skin resurfacing.

How can I maintain the benefits of the Blue Peel?

Keeping your skin’s new healthy glow and youthful appearance is an ongoing process. The Obagi Nu-Derm restoration system is an at-home program designed to promote long-term overall skin health and work safely and effectively in conjunction with the Blue Peel.