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Bingham Farms, MI

(248) 792-3785

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DEEP CHEMICAL PEEL (CROTON OIL)

Patient Information Guide

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What Is a Croton Oil?

A Croton oil peel—also known as a Deep Phenol/Croton oil peel—is the strongest chemical peel in the world and is one of the most powerful skin-rejuvenation treatments available. It uses a precise blend of Phenol and Croton oil to deeply resurface the skin and stimulate robust collagen remodeling. It is ideally suited for light skin patients with significant sun damage and wrinkles.

How Does It Work?

This peel penetrates into the deep dermis, triggering regeneration. It chemically destroys damaged layers of epidermis and dermis, including old collagen and elastic fibers, and stimulates new collagen and elastic fibers to provide significant rejuvenation.

What Improvements Can I Expect?

A Croton oil peel can dramatically improve deep wrinkles, fine lines, lip lines, skin laxity, sun damage, pigmentation irregularities, and overall texture.

What Is the Recovery Like?

  • Days 1-3: Redness, swelling, crusting/oozing
  • Days 4-7: Peeling begins; new pink skin appears
  • Days 7-14: Continued redness; healing phase with marked redness
  • 2-8 weeks: Redness fades around 8 weeks, but sometimes takes longer.
  • 3-6 months: Ongoing collagen tightening

Is It Painful? Do I Need Sedation?

Most patients tolerate the procedure well without sedation. We often provide Xanax and Ambien for relaxation. You may feel warmth or stinging for about 15 seconds that quickly resolves as the phenol actually anesthetizes your skin. Comfort measures include topical numbing and cooling. Sometimes local anesthesia is used as well.

A croton oil peel is typically applied around the areas of maximal wrinkling–the area around the mouth and the eyelids- Then, the remainder of the face is typically treated with a medium depth peel to blend the less sun damaged areas. The medium depth peel (sequential Jessner solution and 35% TCA) causes significant burning and stinging that last about 3 minutes.

What Are the Risks?

Potential risks include prolonged redness, infection, pigment changes, scarring (rare), milia, acne flares, and cold sore reactivation.

Is It Dangerous?

When performed by a board-certified dermatologist experienced in deep peels, the procedure is safe and predictable. It may not be appropriate for certain heart conditions, very dark skin types, or those unable to avoid sun exposure. We do request a pretreatment EKG and labs, and we will place you on a cardiac monitor during the entire treatment. As long as the croton oil peel is applied to a limited area of your face, risk of any cardiac effects is exceedingly rare and has not been observed in our office.

Will I Need More Than One Peel? How Long Do Results Last?

Most patients need just one peel. Results typically last 10+ years.

How Does This Compare to Fractionated Ablative Lasers?

Croton Oil

  • Deepest, most dramatic resurfacing
  • Excellent for etched lines & severe sun damage, deep wrinkles
  • Usually, one treatment is needed
  • Longer downtime (10-14 days active healing)
  • Less painful, nerve block optional

Fractionated Ablative Lasers

  • Adjustable depth, only a fraction of the skin is treated each session
  • Generally, less dramatic, good for texture & mild to moderate wrinkles
  • Requires 3 sessions
  • Variable downtime, often shorter
  • Variable pain and requires neve blocks
Craig Singer MD: Skin Care Specialist in Metro Detroit
american board of physician specialists
Craig Singer MD: Skin Care Specialist in Metro Detroit
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Craig Singer MD: Skin Care Specialist in Metro Detroit
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Hours

Monday: 7:30 AM – 4:40 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 4:40 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 4:50 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:40 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

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