What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical Peels involve the use of mild acids to remove layers of skin. There are typically three types of Chemical Peels (light, medium, and deep) and require varying amounts of downtime and produce varying results. Alainn Medical Aesthetics does not offer Deep Chemical Peels as they require eight weeks of pre-treatment and address more serious skin conditions such as precancerous lesions.
-Light or "Lunchtime Peels" have little to no downtime, provides subtle improvement over time and is delivered as a series of 4-6 treatments for maximal results. These are best to smooth and refresh the appearance of skin, address dullness as well as fine lines and wrinkles.
-Medium Chemical Peels take up to 10 days to fully recover. The outermost and upper part of the middle skin layers are removed. You will see visible signs of peeling. The result is a smoother, refreshed appearance. This type of peel is best for moderate discoloration, age spots, acne scarring, and fine to moderate lines and wrinkles.
Individual results will vary. Schedule an appointment or consultation today.
Who is a good candidate for a Chemical Peel?
Generally, superficial peels can be used on all skin types. However, if you have a darker skin tone, you have a greater risk of experiencing a darkening of your skin after treatment. This condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If you have a naturally darker skin tone, you may want to get the advice of your dermatologist about other less aggressive treatments to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation.
Chemical peeling may also not be recommended if you:
-
Have a history of abnormal skin scarring.
-
Have extra coloring in your scars.
-
Have skin conditions or take medications that make your skin more sensitive.
-
Can't stay out of the sun for the healing period.
What are the benefits of a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are used to treat certain skin conditions or to improve your appearance by improving the tone and texture of your skin.
Chemical peels are most commonly performed on your face, neck or hands. They can help reduce or improve:
-
Fine lines under your eyes or around your mouth and wrinkling caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors.
-
Certain types of acne.
-
Mild scarring.
-
Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, uneven skin coloring.
-
Precancerous scaly spots called actinic keratosis.
-
Rough skin, scaly patches, dull complexion.
-
Dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills.
-
You will work with your dermatologist to determine the depth of your peel. This joint decision can vary depending upon the condition of your skin and the objectives of treatment.
How does a Chemical Peel work?
A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, uses a chemical solution to improve the appearance of your skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to your skin, which causes trauma or injury to your skin’s layers. The skin layers eventually peel off revealing more youthful skin. The new skin is usually smoother with fewer lines and wrinkles, has a more even color and is brighter in complexion.
What should I expect before and after my Chemical Peel?
To prepare for your chemical peel, some general instructions include:
-
Avoid tanning and direct sun exposure for two weeks before each treatment.
-
Apply topical products (such as hydroquinone) as instructed before treatment to prepare your skin.
-
Don’t use any products containing retinoids (such as tretinoin) one to two weeks before treatment, unless your clinician tells you differently.
-
If you have been prescribed oral antibiotics or an oral antiviral medicine, start taking it at least 24 hours before your chemical peel.
-
Peel areas must be free of any open sores, lesions or skin infections.
The professional who does your peel will first clean your skin thoroughly. Then they will apply one or more chemical solutions -- such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol) -- to small areas of your skin. That creates a controlled wound, letting new skin take its place.
During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease that stinging. You may need pain medication during or after a deeper peel.
Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until you get the look you're after.
Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in swelling as well as blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to 12 months, if necessary.
You'll need to avoid the sun for several months after a chemical peel since your new skin will be fragile.