Chemical
Peels
Introduction
Light Peels
Medium Peels
Chemical Peels: About the Procedure
Here are general guidelines for various chemical peel types
Chemical Peels: Who Is a Candidate?
Chemical peel can successfully treat
Chemical peel does not
Chemical Peels: Preparation
A few general guidelines Chemical
Peels: Risks
Introduction
Day in and day out, our skin takes a lot of abuse. The
sun is our biggest enemy, sending a relentless barrage of
harmful UV rays causing skin to prematurely age and wrinkle.
(And we’re still sun-worshippers—go figure!) Environmental
pollutants stress the skin even more. Add on the effects of
aging, and it’s no wonder that we look in the mirror and see
wear and tear that we’d like to reverse.
More and more women
and men look to Skin Care Clinics for skin revitalization
and resurfacing to regain a fresher, more healthy and young-looking
complexion. Chemical peel, one such revitalizing treatment,
is extremely popular; thousands of chemical peels are performed
by Aestheticians each year. In fact, it’s cited as one of
the top five cosmetic procedures for women. The results of
a chemical peel can be very impressive.
There are different
types of chemical peels which produce different results, but
all are similar in this respect: a chemical solution is applied
to remove the damaged outer layers of skin so that new, regenerated
skin replaces the old. As a rule, the deeper the peel, the
more profound the results and the longer the recovery time.
Light
Peels
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic, lactic, or
fruit acids, and are mild chemical solutions that lightly
peel skin, often resulting in brighter-looking, smoother skin.
These "lunch hour" peels are often done repeatedly
over time, and can even out fine wrinkling, uneven pigmentation,
and smooth out rough, dry skin or a mild acne problem.
Medium
Peels
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used when a medium depth
peel is indicated for skin that has moderate sun damage, fine
lines and weathered skin. TCA peels can correct pigment problems
and superficial blemishes, and sometimes two or more treatments,
spaced out over weeks or months, are required for best results.
A full-face TCA peel usually takes about 15 minutes.
After evaluating the
condition of your skin, skin
type and the severity of discoloration and wrinkling,
we can determine which type of chemical peel is right for
you. Most peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest,
hands, arms and legs.
Chemical Peels: About the Procedure
Skin is composed of three main layers: epidermis, dermis
and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis, the surface layer,
is quite thin—only 1/10 of one millimeter thick. That’s about
the thickness of four pieces of paper!
A chemical peel is a
procedure used to improve the appearance of the skin by removing
the outermost layers so that new, regenerated skin—smoother,
more even in tone, and less wrinkled—can appear. Depending
upon the type and strength of chemical used, peels vary in
intensity and depth. We may choose to use a combination
of chemicals for your chemical peel procedure, in effect,
tailoring the treatment specifically to your skin type and
its needs.
Here are general
guidelines for various chemical peel types:
AHA peels
This procedure is performed in our office and requires
no sedation or anesthesia. After your face has been cleansed,
the mildly caustic AHA solution will be applied. The process
usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will experience some reddening
to your face, but you may resume normal activities right away.
Expect temporary flaking, redness, dryness and scaling until
your skin adjusts to the treatments. You can have an AHA peel
frequently—weekly, if desired.
TCA peels
The TCA peel will be performed in our office. You will not
need anesthesia since the chemical solution itself has a numbing
effect on the skin shortly after it is applied. Your face
will be thoroughly cleansed to remove oils and prepare the
skin for optimum penetration. At first, patients feel a warm
or burning sensation which is followed by some stinging. As
the chemical is applied, the epidermis is removed and the
chemical penetrates into the dermis. The Medical Aesthetician
controls the depth of penetration.
Chemical Peels: Who Is a Candidate?
People who are in good health and want to rejuvenate aging
skin and erase the marks of sun damage consider chemical peel
for more youthful appearing and glowing skin.
What type of peel is
right for you? Your skin type and color, ethnic background
and age will be factors we will evaluate. Darker skin poses
special considerations due to increased risk of undesirable
skin pigmentation changes. Black skin, Asian skin, and other
dark complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy
after a skin-refinishing treatment.
Chemical
peel can successfully treat:
Chemical
peel does not:
Chemical
Peels: Preparation
The deeper, more extensive chemical peels require you
to be in good health. We will take your health history and
you may require a routine physical exam. You will be advised
of any special things to avoid or do. You will be asked
to limit your sun exposure at least a month before the peel.
Here are a few
general guidelines that you’ll be asked to follow:
-
Avoid drinking alcohol a few days
prior to your appointment.
-
If you smoke, stop smoking at least
a week before your procedure and for at least a week afterward.
Smoking decreases blood circulation in the skin and impedes
healing.
-
Wear something loose that opens in
the front. You don’t want to put on anything that goes
over your head after the procedure.
Chemical
Peels: Risks
Chemical peel is a relatively straightforward procedure
in the hands of a qualified Medical Aesthetician, but there
are risks and uncertainties. You should be aware of the possible
complications which include:
-
Infection and scarring.
-
Temporary or permanent color change
in the skin; uneven pigment changes.
-
Reactivation of cold sores in persons
who have a history of recurring fever blisters.
-
Before you undergo a chemical peel,
tell us if you have a history of recurring cold sores,
a tendency to scar unusually, have a family history of
heart problems, or have undergone radiation or numerous
x-rays to the face.
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