A chemical peel is a facial procedure that became popular in the 90s but has since evolved to be better and more effective.
For one thing, chemical peels used to hurt, but now the process has been refined so that most people just feel a warming sensation. As well, modern chemical peels are less about creating a visible peel of the dermis and more about infusing the skin with ingredients that smooth away lines and scars.
What to Expect with a Chemical Face Peel?
A chemical face peel is where different acid solutions are used to peel away dead skin and encourage a process of healing and rejuvenation. This stimulates your skin’s natural production of new skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter look.
The chemicals penetrate deeper than at-home products, stripping away older, sun-damaged, or scarred skin to produce new, evenly-toned skin cells to emerge.
Chemical peel facials work extremely well for those with acne and blackheads. The chemical solutions are able to uproot and unplug acne comedones and cleanse the surface so that you can essentially come away with a clean slate.
This process is also a great option for those who wish to address wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sun damage, and scars.
Are There Different Types of Chemical Peels?
There are different degrees of chemical peels, each of which is especially effective for different concerns and levels of concern. To get the desired results, it may be necessary to have more than one treatment. Start with a gentler peel before moving up. Speaking with your dermatologist ahead of the treatment will help create a plan of approach.
- Superficial Chemical Peel
This option is the lightest and penetrates only the very top layers of the skin. A superficial chemical peel is stronger than an at-home facial treatment or exfoliant but not so strong as to warrant a long recovery period. Superficial peels are great for addressing acne, rosacea, or pigmentation issues. The effects are usually only some redness immediately afterward, which can be covered with makeup. Sunscreen should be worn every day, especially after any kind of facial. - Medium Chemical Peel
Just like it sounds, the medium chemical peel penetrates the middle layer of the dermis. This level of treatment is most effective for treating wrinkles and shallower scars. - Deep Chemical Peel
At this level of penetration, you will be less likely to need to repeat the process for the desired results. The deep chemical peel option is best for treating deep scars and wrinkles. If you are interested in this level of intervention, you may be better served by laser skin resurfacing.
What to Expect from a Chemical Peel Before and After
Before your procedure, your doctor might recommend using certain creams to prepare the skin.
As well, if the procedure is more extensive, you may also be recommended a short course of antibiotics or antivirals to ensure your body is primed to stave off any infections since your first line of defense (your skin) is going to be weakened as new skin cells take time to develop.
Immediately afterward, you may have redness, blistering, and peeling up to a week following your procedure. Once your skin cells have had a chance to repopulate, you can expect a brighter, more even, smoothed tone.
If you are still curious about potential results, check out chemical peel before and after photos online.
How Much is a Chemical Peel?
At Advanced Dermatology, we are proud to offer competitive pricing and the utmost value to all of our clients. If you are interested in learning how much a chemical peel is or in asking any questions about the procedure, please don’t hesitate to reach out.