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About This Quiz
When you think "chemical peel," do you have visions of doctors pouring burning chemicals over your face? Painful after-effects like shiny, itchy red skin? Take our quiz to find out how up-to-date your chemical peel knowledge is.
"Chemexfoliation" is another term for chemical peel.
fact
Chemical peels are also called "chemexfoliation" and "derma-peels."
fiction
almost fact: Chemical peels are also known as "dermoplastics."
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In a chemical peel, a doctor applies a chemical peel to your skin that penetrates deeply, "melting away" the older layers of skin.
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fiction
The chemicals cause the outer layer of skin to blister and peel off, revealing younger-looking skin.
almost fact: The chemicals actually rejuvenate the outer layers of the skin, making them appear younger.
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Chemical peels can be performed only on the face and neck.
fact
fiction
almost fact: It's face, neck and hands.
You can get a chemical peel on your face, neck or hands.
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A chemical peel can improve wrinkles, sags and bulges.
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fiction
Chemical peels have been shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but for more deeper issues like sags and bulges you'll need another procedure.
almost fact: A peel doesn't really improve any of these issues -- it just makes your skin look healthier for a while.
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Precancerous keratoses (which appear as scaly spots) can be helped with a chemical peel.
fact
Chemical peels can improve precancerous keratoses and also prevent them from reappearing.
fiction
almost fact: A chemical peel plus a shot of collagen can improve the keratoses.
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People with fair skin and hair will see the most visible benefits from a chemical peel.
fact
True. If you have fair skin and light hair, you're a good candidate for a chemical peel.
fiction
almost fact: People with olive skin and dark hair are the best candidates.
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Chemical peels can contain a solution of glycolic or salicylic acid.
fact
Your doctor will probably use glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or carbolic acid.
fiction
almost fact: Keratalytic acid is the most common solution.
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Chemical peels usually take about an hour.
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Chemical peels are pretty quick procedures -- count on about five to 10 minutes.
almost fact: It's actually more like two hours.
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After a chemical peel, your face will be red and possibly scaly for a few weeks.
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fiction
almost fact: The redness and scaling usually disappears after a week.
Three to seven days is the usual time period for chemical peel after-effects.
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If you're taking birth control pills, you have an increased risk of abnormal pigmentation after a chemical peel.
fact
Abnormal pigmentation is a possible side effect if you're on oral contraceptives.
fiction
almost fact: Birth control pills will increase your healing time after a chemical peel.
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