Chemical Peels for that Added Glow

A chemical peel works by applying a chemical solution to the skin under treatment and then removing the top dead layers. The regenerated/new skin is cleaner and more even toned. You’ll probably have to repeat the process with a light or medium peel to achieve desired effects.

Chemical peels are offered at Medical Esthetics programs and rejuvenation spas to remove wrinkles, discoloration, and marks from the skin as well as helping to enhance the texture of the skin. A chemical solvent is added to the skin, causing it to “blister” and gradually peel off. In most cases, the new skin is cleaner and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Treatments can also reduce the appearance of dark spots. Chemical peels lighten black spots by removing the skin pigment melanin.

Best Effects of a Chemical Peel

• Acme scars and blemishes
• Wrinkles and fine line
• Discoloration and uneven skin tone
• Improve skin elasticity
• Reduce dark spot and eye bags
• Helps with cells/skin regeneration
• Improve skin texture and adds a healthy glow

Types of Chemical Peels

1. Light:  Light chemicals remove the outermost layer of the skin. To exfoliate softly, they use mild acids like alpha-hydroxy. It penetrates only the skin’s top layer and helps fight acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and discoloration.
2. Medium:  A medium chemical peel separates skin cells from the epidermis as well as the middle layer of skin. It is used in the treatment of wrinkles, acne marks, and poor skin tone. This is often done with trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to remove the middle and outer layers, increasing effectiveness in removing dead skin cells.
3. Deep: A deep chemical peel destroys even more skin cells. These peels also use phenol or trichloroacetic acid to thoroughly penetrate the middle layer of the skin and remove dead skin cells.

Risk and Side Effects of Chemical Peels

A chemical peel can cause redness and inflammation that lasts several days. The recuperation time is longer after a medium or deep chemical peel. A chemical peel may induce a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, such as a cold sore outbreak caused by the herpes virus, although this is rare.

Chemical peels treat acne by lowering the pH of the skin, which aids in the removal of dead skin cells, resulting in a clearer appearance and fewer clogged pores. Peels can help other ingredients to penetrate better since they strip the top layer of skin.

Your skin condition determines the durability of a chemical peel. Light to medium peels can last one to two months. Consult a professional if you want to see more visible and lasting effects. You may have to take a few days off work to heal. It takes 5 to 7 days for the skin to recover to the point that you can conceal the redness caused by the peel.