Any discomfort should diminish within the first week. Phenol is the deepest peel. It can cause changes in skin pigmentation and is not recommended for use on the neck and other body areas. It is used mainly for smoothing out very coarse wrinkles and pigmentation changes caused by overexposure to the sun or the aging process. After a phenol peel, the skin may lose its ability to tan and must be protected from the sun's rays at all times.
Recovery time is longer than any other peel, usually several months.
A phenol peel is not recommended for darker skinned and heart patients and you should inform your plastic surgeon if you have a heart condition. Anesthesia is not required for the peels and they can be done in the plastic surgeon's office. Before considering any type of peel, consult your plastic surgeon to review all alternatives available to you.