Is a Chemical Peel Right for You?
Is your facial skin making you appear older than you really are? Are you bothered by the appearance of scars, lines, and wrinkles on your skin? A chemical peel may be right for you. Chemical peels can enhance your skin’s appearance and leave you with smoother, more youthful skin. This treatment is not for everyone, so it is important to do your research before deciding if you’re a good candidate for a chemical peel.
What is a Chemical Peel?
As the name indicates, a chemical peel is a type of cosmetic treatment involving the use of a chemical solution to peel away some outer skin tissue, which promotes the formation of new skin displaying fewer imperfections like signs of aging and sun damage.
Peels come in three types:
- Superficial
- Medium
- Deep
This refers to their depth of penetration. The deeper the peel penetrates, the more effective it is. Superficial peels do not normally require any sedation or downtime. A medium peel treatment may involve sedation and downtime, while deep peels always require sedation and significant downtime.
Superficial Peels
This type of mild peel involves skin exfoliation to restore the brightness of the complexion and help with superficial acne scars. Chemicals like alpha-hydroxy, lactic, and glycolic acid are typically used to make up the solution that is applied to the skin.
Superficial peels may require multiple treatments since they only affect the very outermost layers of the skin.
Medium Peels
A medium peel, referred to as the TCA peel (trichloroacetic acid), helps correct fine lines and wrinkles, superficial scars, and uneven pigmentation.
Deep Peels
This powerful form of peel helps to correct deep scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, and more. It may involve the use of a chemical solution consisting of phenol, high-strength TCA, or carbolic acid.
Deep peels require a significant period of time to heal at home while the skin remodels itself.
What Do I Do After My Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are extremely effective at what they do. You will want to ensure that you obtain the best results possible from your treatment. It is important to realize that peels work by removing some of the outer skin tissue that normally serves as a protective barrier. Your skin will be more vulnerable at this time.
- Avoid UV radiation exposure while your skin is healing.
- Refrain from activities that could excessively dehydrate your skin.
- Use a good non-irritating moisturizer to lock in moisture and protect your skin.
Chemical Peels Consultation
If you feel you could benefit from a chemical peel or would like to request more information about this powerful form of skin treatment, contact us today to schedule your consultation.