Chemical Facial Peels
Years of sun exposure, acne, and aging can leave skin tone uneven, wrinkled, spotted and scarred. As a result, many people desire a solution to reverse the appearance of aged skin. Chemical peels are effective cosmetic procedures that noticeably improve this issue and are generally used on the face, neck and hands. Here’s what you need to know about this treatment and what types of peels are available.
What is a Chemical Peel?
To improve the appearance of skin, a chemical solution is applied which causes the skin to exfoliate and eventually peel. As a result, the new, regenerated skin underneath is smoother and less wrinkled than the outer layer. Chemical peels are generally used for:
- Reducing fine lines around the eyes and mouth
- Treating wrinkles from sun damage and aging
- Improving the appearance of scars
- Treating acne
- Reducing age spots, freckles, and dark patches
- Improving the look and feel of skin
What Types of Chemical Peels are Offered?
There are three basic types of chemical peels:
Light – A mild acid solution is used to penetrate the most outer layer of skin and gently exfoliate it. A light treatment is generally used to improve mild discoloration and roughness as well as to refresh the face, neck, chest and hands. Healing takes one to seven days.
Medium – A slightly more concentrated acid solution is applied to outer and middle layers of skin to remove damaged cells. A medium treatment improves age spots, fine lines/wrinkles, freckles, and moderate skin discoloration. Healing time takes one to two weeks.
Deep – A strong acid solution is used to deeply penetrate the middle layer of skin to remove any damaged skin cells on the face. A deep treatment is typically given for removing moderate lines, age spots, freckles, and light scars. This type of peel achieves a dramatic improvement in the appearance of skin and can only be performed once per patient. Healing times takes two to three weeks.
What are the Side Effects?
Although chemical peels do not cause a great deal of pain, they can result in some stinging, redness, irritation and crusting. For deeper peels, patients might experience swelling, which can be reduced with the use of creams and gels. Other medicines can also be prescribed to relieve any discomfort.
If you’re interested in a chemical peel, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our office to ensure you’re the right candidate for this procedure.