Chemical peels are today’s modern approach to skin rejuvenation. It helps shed the skin cells accumulating on the surface and stimulates more deep layers of the skin, helping it look and feel like your younger skin. Increasing collagen production and the skin’s faster turnover will help brighten it, smooth it out, and improve its texture.
Chemical peels are effective skin resurfacing and anti-aging treatments specially designed by skin experts and doctors. Today, let’s learn more about this skin rejuvenating treatment, its entire process, how its procedure works, and some before-and-after information you might need for your potential chemical peel.
What are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are procedures in which chemical solutions are applied to the patient’s skin to help remove its top layers, making the skin that grows back much smoother. Undergoing either a light or medium peel, you may be required to have the procedure more than once after your initial one before achieving your desired results.
A chemical peel treats wrinkles, discolored skin, and unwanted scars — usually found on the face. This skin procedure can be done alone or combined with other known and related cosmetic treatments. In addition, chemical peels can be administered at different depths, whether light or deep. The deeper peels provide more dramatic results but can also require a longer recovery time.
How It Works
As an outpatient procedure, chemical peels can be given inside your doctor’s office or in some surgery center near you. The skin gets cleansed using agents that remove excess oils, while your eyes and hair are safe and protected. Then, a chemical solution is applied to your skin. Typically, these chemical solutions include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid, or carbolic acid, also called phenol. These chemical types cause controlled injuries, each penetrating different skin depths, eventually peeling away and revealing newer skin layers.
Remember that each chemical solution provides different results. Choosing what chemicals to use will significantly depend on your desired skin goal. You will discuss everything with your dermatologist and determine your needed peel depth.
The Chemical Peel Procedure
Chemical peels are procedures that resurface the skin. Choosing the correct chemical peel depth depends on the issues you’re addressing with the process. This treatment has three (3) depths commonly used:
- Light chemical peels – are superficial peels that remove the epidermis or the skin’s outer layer. It is commonly used in treating acne, fine wrinkles, dryness, and uneven skin tone. It is ideal to have light peels every two (2) to five (5) weeks.
- Medium chemical peels – are chemical peels that remove epidermal skin cells and those from areas of the dermis or the upper part of your skin’s middle layer. It treats acne scars, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. Repeat procedures are recommended in achieving or maintaining your desired results.
- Deep chemical peels – are deep peels that remove even deeper skin cells. Skin experts recommend this type for scars, deeper wrinkles, or precancerous growths. This chemical peel is the only type that won’t need repeat procedures to get the full effect.
Before and After
The “Before”
Mental Preparations
First, you need to prepare mentally for chemical peels. Be organized and well-planned for your peel, as this procedure often entails specific and time-bound instructions.
- Choose the correct peel that will match your skin. Book your consultations with your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss everything that can help you select the right chemical peel.
- Disclose any medication you are using. Your skin care specialist will recommend temporarily stopping your dosages based on the information you disclose. This step becomes essential so as not to interfere with your procedure’s success.
- Obtain any after-care instructions based on your chemical peel type and depth, such as avoiding exposure to the sun, correct sleeping positions, and specific creams to help prevent infection.
Physical Preparations
The next equally important step is to prepare for your chemical peel physically. These steps may help avoid unwanted irritations and side effects and maximize the benefits you can get from this treatment. It is also beneficial to prepare your skin beforehand.
- Don’t exfoliate at least a week before your appointment. Also, watch out for ingredients in your everyday skin care products that may have an exfoliating effect and could potentially cause damage to your skin.
- Refrain from using make-up for a few days before your chemical peel treatment to allow your skin to detoxify.
- Avoid sun exposure as much as possible before undergoing this procedure. When outside, always wear wide-brimmed hats and sunblock that has at least SPF 30.
- Your skin should be well-hydrated on your chemical peel day. Stop using products that dry out your skin several days before your appointment. Furthermore, remember to drink plenty of water.
The “After”
Your recovery time will significantly vary from others and mainly depend on which chemical peel you received.
Light chemical peels
Recovery time is around four (4) to seven (7) days. Your skin may become temporarily lighter or darker.
Medium chemical peels
Recovery time for your skin is about five (5) to seven (7) days from receiving your medium chemical peel. However, you may experience redness persisting for months. Initially, your skin will swell, forming brown blotches and crusts before revealing your new skin.
Deep chemical peels
Deep chemical peels potentially cause severe swelling and redness, with burning or throbbing sensations. In addition, your eyelids will swell shut, but it is normal. It may take about two (2) weeks before your new skin develops, although white spots or cysts may persist even after several weeks. Redness is commonly expected to last for several months.
During your recovery time, regular follow-up with your doctor and commit to post-op instructions faithfully. You will be given specific instructions on how often to wash your face and moisturize and the products you should use.
As much as possible, avoid exposure to the sun until your skin has fully healed, and refrain from using make-up or other related cosmetics until you are given the signal that it’s already okay. To help relieve discomfort during your recovery time, use ice packs for 20 minutes every time or a cooling fan.
Final Thoughts on Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can work in fading the unwanted appearance of acne scarring over time. But remember that these peels differ in strength. That’s why it’s best to consult your doctor or healthcare provider before deciding which chemical peel treatment would work perfectly for you.
Are you interested in experiencing chemical peels? Our wonderful friends at RAW Aesthetics and Wellness can help you today. Visit them now! https://rawaestheticsandwellness.com/
