Addicted to that Peelin’ Feeling
If you are looking for a way to rejuvenate and refresh your complexion, a chemical peel might be a good choice for you. These aesthetic treatments are designed to provide full skin exfoliation, reviving tired skin and even addressing many different types of skin imperfections. Before you schedule your first chemical peel treatment, there are a few basic facts about this procedure you need to know.
What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are office procedures that use a chemical solution to remove outer layers of skin cells. The chemical solution is applied directly to the skin and allowed to remain for a prescribed amount of time. Once the time is over, the peel solution is neutralized and removed from the skin. The depth of the peel will dictate how much flaking and peeling you will experience after treatment before your fresh new complexion is fully revealed.
Superficial peels involve little flaking and usually require little or no downtime afterward. Deeper peels remove more layers of skin cells, but also involve a longer period of flaking and recovery time before final results are seen. The results of deep peels are also more dramatic and long-lasting.
Candidates for a Chemical Peel
The best candidates for a chemical peel are men and women in relatively good health that have one or more of the following skin concerns to address:
- Fine lines around the eyes and mouth
- Uneven skin texture and tone
- Shallow scarring or enlarged pores
- Pigmentation spots including brown spots, freckles and melasma
- Signs of sun damage
- A dull, tired complexion
There are many different types of chemical peel formulations to choose from, so you can customize your treatment to your specific concerns.
Types of Chemical Peels
There are three basic types of chemical peels:
Superficial Peels
Light peels address the most superficial skin concerns, including fine lines, irregular skin texture and uneven skin tone. These peels typically use a concentration of a mild alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate the outermost layers of skin and produce a radiant, healthy glow. Superficial peels do not require any downtime afterward, but they will need to be repeated at regular intervals to maintain your positive results.
Medium Peels
This type of peel works a little deeper into the skin’s layers, thanks to active ingredients like glycolic acid. Medium peels work well on brown spots and freckles, as well as more visible signs of aging. Medium peels tend to result in more flaking and peeling than light peels and require a few days of downtime to allow the skin to recover. They typically need to be repeated every few months to maintain results.
Deep Peels
Deep peels contain trichloroacetic acid that works deep into the skin’s layers to treat more severe skin concerns. Recovery from a deep peel typically takes 1-2 weeks. Once the skin is fully healed, the results of a deep peel are dramatic and long-lasting. In fact, you may only need one deep peel in your lifetime to achieve the results you want.
Chemical peels are an effective method of skin rejuvenation, but it is important to have your peel administered by someone experienced in this procedure. At New Visage, we offer a number of different types of peels and have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure you get the best treatment for your specific needs. To learn more about chemical peels, contact our office today at 252-808-2NEW.