If you’ve invested in hundreds of skincare products but are still dissatisfied with the quality of your skin, you can achieve glowing skin not with your products, but with a chemical peel. What is a chemical peel treatment? A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that uses a chemical solution to “peel” of the surface layer of your skin.
This chemical solution causes the skin to blister and then peel off to reveal a newer layer of skin. After the blistered skin begins to peel, you will have skin that is smoothed to perfection. You can apply chemical peels to the hands, neck, or face.
You might use a peel to address the following issues:
- Reduce lines around the mouth and eyes
- Treat signs of aging and sun damage
- Improve the skin’s appearance after scarring
- Treat acne
- Reduce freckles, dark patches, and age spots from birth control or pregnancy
- Improve the feel and look of skin
What is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels may sound harsh, but they have many benefits for your skin. This process is an outpatient procedure and non-surgical treatment that is fairly quick and effective.
The process begins with clean skin. Then, the doctor will apply chemical solutions like lactic acid, carbolic acid, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, or glycolic acid to the skin. This will create controlled wounds, allowing the new skin to show.
As a chemical peel essentially blisters the skin, the process will come with a burning sensation throughout the treatment. After the first 10 minutes, expect to feel a stinging sensation. To ease the effect of this treatment, many people take pain medication or use a cool compress to treat their skin.
After a Treatment
After a chemical peel, you can expect to feel a reaction like a sunburn. Peeling often results in red skin that scales and peels within three to seven days. If you haven’t achieved the results you want in the first round of chemical peeling, you can repeat the treatment in one- to four-week intervals. Deeper peeling often leads to swelling and blisters. This peeling process will last between 7 and 14 days. You can repeat medium-depth peels in 6- to 12-month intervals.
Depending on the type of treatment you receive, you’ll likely need bandages for your treated skin. Additionally, it’s important to avoid the sun following the treatment. As your new skin is fragile, the sun can quickly damage it.
Certain skin types may develop a color change after this non-surgical treatment. If you’re considering a peel, keep in mind that taking birth control medication, having a history of discoloration, or subsequent pregnancy may increase the risk of skin discoloration. Worried that undergoing this treatment will lead to permanent scarring? Thankfully, this process has a low risk of scarring on the face. However, some people are more likely to experience scarring and should treat their skin accordingly to avoid any permanent changes to their skin.
Chemical Peels Work with All Skin Types
When chemical peels initially gained popularity in the ’90s, experts warned against individuals with darker complexions getting chemical peels due to their likelihood of experiencing hyperpigmentation. Today, chemical peels work well for any skin type. With the variety of treatments available, there are custom peels that work well with any skin color.
Most doctors use multiple chemicals during treatment to avoid the excessive irritation of using a single acid. Though many doctors have several pre-mixed peels, they do work with each client to create the best peel for their skin condition and type. After a successful peel, you’ll find that you don’t need to use as many skincare products or pile on the makeup as much.
To know if a chemical peel is right for you, be sure to speak with an expert today. You can get the best skin of your life with a custom peel designed to meet your needs and skin condition. Contact us at 866.930.5837 to discover the right treatment option for you.
