What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels remove old, dead skin cells and damaged outer layers of skin to reveal the younger, softer and even-toned layers beneath. The chemical peel has long been used by celebrities and models as an alternative to surgery, collagen fillers, or slow-acting facial creams.
Chemical peels are some of the least invasive ways to dramatically improve the look of your skin. They can be used on your face, hands and neck to give you a more youthful appearance.
How Do Facial Chemical Peels Work?
First, your skin is cleansed to prepare for the chemical peel. Next, a specially prepared chemical solution is carefully brushed onto your skin. This can be phenol, trichloracetic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids, depending on what type of formula you need. You may feel mild stinging for 10 minutes while the solution processes. The chemical peel is then washed off and neutralized.
The Benefits of Chemical Peels Include Improvement With…
- Acne
- Age spots
- Dry texture
- Fine lines
- Freckles
- Irregular pigmentation
- Liver spots
- Rough scales
- Scars
- Sun Damage
- Wrinkles
Types of Chemical Peels
- Light: You can repeat the procedure up to once a week for six weeks to achieve maximum results. To maintain the look you’ve received, you can return once a month. You will see subtle improvements, but there is no recovery necessary.
- Medium: You can repeat these chemical peels every 6 to 12 months to maintain your look. You will notice smoother and fresher looking skin, but you will also have to spend 6 weeks recovering, during which time your skin tone may look a little redder.
- Deep: Results can last up to 10 years after just one deep chemical peel. This treatment is necessary for people with badly damaged skin due to sun, scarring, wrinkling, or blotchiness. The process includes 8 weeks of pre-treatment and anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months of recovery.
Are Chemical Peels Right For Me?
The decision to start getting chemical peels is a big one. While, on one hand, you will notice a big improvement in the appearance of your skin, you will also have to endure some mild discomfort while your skin heals. During a chemical peel exfoliation, a solution will cause the skin to blister and peel, revealing smoother and younger looking skin beneath the deadened exterior layer.
Who Is The Ideal Candidate For Chemical Peels?
People with fair skin and light hair see the best results following a chemical peel, but even darker skinned individuals can have good results, depending on their skin’s condition. Most people who get chemical peels have sun damage related wrinkles,acne scars, age spots, a dull complexion, and rough scaly texture. Be aware that sags, bulges and deep wrinkles will not see the benefits of chemical peels. For those problems, you need to speak with a cosmetic surgeon.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
- Prior to the day of your chemical peel, you’ll need to stop taking drugs like Retin-A, Renova, or Glycolic Acid.
- At a doctor’s office or surgical outpatient center, you will have your skin cleansed to remove dirt and excess oil. (Don’t worry: you will be wearing eye and hair protection to prevent chemicals from going where you don’t want them.)
- Solutions like glycolic acids, trichloroacetic acid, salicyclic acid, lactic acid, or phenol are placed on the skin, which will cause a mild burning sensation, followed by blistering and peeling, eventually revealing better looking skin below. Essentially, it is like recovering from a sun burn. If you received a deep chemical peel, you may want someone to drive you home.
- Following your facial chemical peel treatment, you will need to wear sunscreen every day. Sometimes doctors also prescribe oral antibiotics or antiviral medication to aid in healing. Cool compresses will help alleviate stinging as your face rejuvenates as well.
What Risks Are Involved With Chemical Peels?
The length of your recovery largely depends upon the type of chemical peel you received. For example, light chemical peels result in redness and scaling that clears up within 3 to 7 days. Medium peels and deep peels may result in swelling or water blisters that require 7 to 14 days to heal. You may need to wear bandages for a few days. You should also avoid the sun, as your new skin will be more sensitive.
There are a few complications associated with chemical peels. You are at greater risk for developing a temporary or permanent change in your skin color if you take birth control pills, you become pregnant or you have a family history of skin discoloration. Certain individuals are prone to scarring or may suffer a reactivation of cold sores. Generally speaking, though, chemical peels are safe.
Where To Go For Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels can be performed at a doctor’s office, an outpatient clinic, or a certified spa. During this noninvasive procedure, a chemical treatment dissolves the outermost layer of dull, dead skin to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and reveal younger, healthier skin below. You can sort of think of it as a sunburn without the UV radiation.
How To Find Places That Do Chemical Peels?
To find a place near you that does chemical peels, you can visit http://www.chemicalpeel.org and type your postal code into the search box. You will want to call around to at least two or three different places to inquire about what type of chemical peels they are willing to do, what qualifications they have to perform this procedure, and what the prices are. You may be surprised that there are such big discrepancies in price from place to place, but you’ll find it’s like that with any medical procedure.
Top Questions To Ask About Chemical Peels:
- Will a board-certified physician be performing the facial chemical peel?
- How much experience do you have in this area? What is your medical specialty?
- What topical regiment do you recommend following a chemical peel?
- What type of chemicals do you use in your peels?
- How high a concentration do you use in your solution?
- Are there any alternative treatments you may recommend for my skin?
- Do you have references or “Before and After” photos?
Choosing a Type Of Chemical Peel:
The lighter chemical peels are usually made of alpha and beta hydroxyl acids, as well as glycolic acid. You can often find lesser strength versions sold in stores as home kits. A moderate facial chemical peel may use trichloroacetic acid, which can vary in strength, and phenol peels are usually deeper solutions for heavily damaged skin. Here is a brief rundown of which peels are suited for which conditions…
- Fine Lines – Phenol Peels
- Acne – AHA, Salicylic Acid, Phenol Peels
- Acne Scars – Phenol Peels
- Deep Wrinkles – Phenol Peels
- Age Spots – TCA or Phenol Peels
Do note that TCA Chemical Peels and Phenol Peels have the longest lasting effects (1 year or more), although they also have longer recovery times and greater risks.