Chemical Peels: What They Can Do for Your Skin

Chemical peel treatments can re-emerge and refresh your skin by diminishing appearances of sun damage, wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars and hyper pigmentation. Chemical skin peels range from superficial/micro-resurfacing to deep peels. Superficial peels are usually recommended in a series of more than six, while the deeper peel can be a one-time treatment.

Additionally, deeper chemical peels might require important downtime before returning to regular duties. Deeper chemical peels and laser resurfacing are cosmetic skin treatments that eliminate the skins outer layer, leaving one with fresh, healthier-looking skin once the healing is complete.

When to consider using Chemical Peels

· If you have sun-damaged skin or wrinkles.

· If you have skin blotchiness, discolorations or brown spots.

· If you have scars that make the surface of your skin uneven.

· If you have precancerous skin growths.

Chemical peel agents include the following:

· Glycolic Peel

Glycolic Acid Peels are one of the many alphahydroxy acids. It is a light peel which provides subtle outcome in the treatment of acne, faint hyper pigmentation and wrinkles. Glycolic acid peels are formulated from sugar cane and are nearly downtime-free treatments, which come with gentle redness or irritation as the likely after-effect. They are ideal for individuals who suffer from intemperance sebum, and the treatments might renew the skin without a lot of recovery time. Glycolic acid peels contain alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) that smoothly exfoliate your skin to unclog the oil-filled sebaceous glands. Peels that use AHAs penetrate deep in the skin and assist removal of layers of dry, dull skin. The skin revitalization cycle takes approximately 30 days – 1 month without exfoliation help, but the AHA peels can easily speed up the procedure. A series of 5 in-office chemical peels which are spaced three weeks apart can be efficient to alleviate minor spots and blemishing on the skin.

Alphahydroxy acid in a concentration of thirty percent or more is applied for about four minutes to remove the upper layer of dead cells as well as go through into the upper layer of the dermis. This will promote a rosy glow, soften fine lines, encourage penetration of skin-care products or yet dry acne flare up. Chemical exfoliation can furthermore help to improve the look of excess skin pigments by exfoliating skin upper layers where some coloring resides. Your plastic surgeon can suggest the best course of treatment that’s based on your skin tone and precise pigment trouble. In addition to AHAs and glycolic acid, other acids that are used as agents in the light chemical peels recognized for mild exfoliating include citric acid, lactic acid and tartaric acid.

· TCA-based Peels – Medium Peels

These are medium-strength TCA peels and are most excellent for people who have fair skin looking to tackle great pigment problems such as melasma. Likewise, chemical peels that contain salicylic acid readily aid in sloughing of dead cells. Patients who are looking for a more insistent sebum-reducing cure, however, should reflect on a TCA skin peel, that alters skin’s acidity level to stop the progress of bacteria and other oil overgrowths. TCA peels should just be performed by experienced physicians, because the acid concentration and duration of contact are significant in knowing the peel’s effect. In very high concentrations, well-trained physicians use TCA in laser resurfacing to diminish acne scarring and erase deeper wrinkles. Since TCA peels are of medium strength, they will always cause redness and stinging. Stronger TCA concentrations can go through the dermis and form major peeling and redness that can last for a week.

There are a range of peels that are effectual for brown spots, like the Obagi Blue Peel that are mainly found doctors’ offices. One of the known varieties of TCA chemical peels is Obagi Blue Peel that requires a single cycle of pre-peel prepping to stop hyper pigmentation from taking place during the definite peel. The Obagi Blue Peel, which is a TCA chemical peel in mask variety, is appropriate for all skin tones and works to rectify fine lines, pigmentation, scars, and problems. Additionally, the chemical peels are excellent for dropping fine lines, improving the skin texture and softening any sun-damaged skin. The chemical peel is designed to stop skin over-exfoliation using a unique blue tint that generally washes off in less than 24 hours. Most TCA-based chemical peels are a one-time cure and need about two weeks of downtime for crusting to heal. It also reveals smoother, younger and clearer skin.

While treatments differ, the skin must be revitalized to eliminate sun-damaged cells and arouse the body to create more collagen. To aid resurfacing of the skin and get rid of excess pigment, your plastic surgeon or dermatologist may recommend Tri-Luma. It contains hydroquinone used to lighten skin pigment, as well as retinoid used to speed cell turnover and a steroid that prevents inflammation. This should be able to work within two or three months on uneven brown patches.

What Trichloroacetic Acid treats

· TCA peels can treat deeper acne scars and hyper pigmentation.

· Usually only one TCA chemical peel, which takes about 12 minutes, will decrease medium to deep skin discoloration. In some cases, more than a single treatment is needed to attain the desired results.

· Before the chemical peel, your physician will perhaps apply a topical anesthetic; if not you may feel a small sting. Post-peel, the skin crusts or scabs and the face can get swollen for a number of days. Once the skin’s fully healed, it will still produce pigment. To prevent hyper pigmentation from coming back, stay out of direct sun rays for few months after the peel.

· Lactic Acid

Lactic acid peels have the same effects to glycolic peels, though lactic acid’s generally milder. It is derived from sour/fermented milk and is a popular beauty help for those looking improved skin texture and hydration level. There are few useful treatments and products containing lactic acid — from lotions to peels to creams. As with anything, there’re a few disadvantages with lactic acid. Even though it’s milder than majority of the other compounds, it is still irritating, mainly on damaged skin or that prone to allergy. And no matter which lactic acid merchandise you use, high sun sensitivity’s regularly an issue. It is vital to limit your time in the direct sunlight and use sunscreen when you use a product containing lactic acid. For the likelihood of smoother skin, though, the additional safety measure might be worth it.

Benefits of Lactic Acid

· It has exhaustive hydrating properties and moisturizes the skin effectively.

· It prevents premature skin aging as a result of sun exposure and prevents sun damage.

· It acts as exfoliate and makes the skin rejuvenated.

· It stimulates production of collagen within the skin cells.

· It is an antibacterial agent.

· It is a brilliant astringent.

· It’s used to treat skin problems like impurities, acne, and oily skin breakouts.

· Surgeons and dermatologists use concentrations of lactic acid in chemical peels.

Lactic acid is used in an extensive range of skin care goods in the market. It’s not only exceedingly effective but is also mild thus individuals with sensitive skin, oily acne skin and rosaceous patients can make use of it safely. Lactic acid has an essential ability to decrease the appearance of any aging signs such as fine lines, age spots, wrinkles and hyper pigmentation. Thus, it’s used widely in anti-aging and cleansers skin care products. When used correctly, lactic acid can treat blemishes and acne inflammations. This is why it’s frequently included in the acne skin products and treatments. Nevertheless, a lot of exfoliation can worsen the acne rather than treating it. Therefore, make sure to follow instructions on the skin products very carefully.

Lactic acid has few side effects since it is a mild ingredient. There have been cases when individuals have shown unpleasant reactions to it. You should consult your physician immediately if you have any irritation, peeling, burning or stinging sensation. Lactic acid, similar to AHA increases the susceptibility towards the sunlight and the skin becomes more exposed to damage by the UVB radiations. As a result, while using lactic acid that contains skin care products, you should make sure that you apply a lot of sunscreen with an SPF of fifteen or higher.

· Jessner Peels

Jessner solution or Jessner’s Peel is the common name used for the deeper chemical peel solution that is made from salicylic, resorcinol and lactic acids. Salicylic peels which is a betahydroxy acid are frequently applied after the glycolic peel of about forty percent concentration. Although it is never appropriate for someone with a vigorous breakout, this peel can also give rejuvenating payback such as reduction of fine lines and low discoloration, and can arouse new collagen creation, depending on the strength. Although it varies in concentration, it’s most often requires about two weeks of downtime and careful sun protection during and after treatment.

Named after Max Jessner, who invented it, Jessner’s solution is layered on your skin to treat acne, acne scarring, irregular pigmentation and other irregularities. You can look ahead to aggressive peeling and irregular crusting forms within five days after the peel is applied. The redness and swelling can last for a week or more. Additionally, results are observable with clearer skin within ten days or less, but redness or the pigment changes might persist for a number of weeks.

· Fruit acid

This is a mild chemical exfoliate that works by getting through and breaking apart the topmost layer of the skin. This facilitates the elimination of dead and damaged skin cells and exposes the newer, healthier skin layer underneath. The degree of exfoliation that takes place during a fruit acid peel normally depends on factors such as AHA concentration and the occurrence of additional cosmetic ingredients. AHA peels promote skin cell turnover to assist fade outside imperfections, wrinkles and fine lines related with aging skin. Peels also aid in maintaining younger-looking skin through boosting the manufacture of collagen. As a cure for acne, fruit acids dry up surplus sebum and unclog the blocked hair follicles. The peels are also relatively mild, and even strongest treatments have to be repeated so as to achieve the preferred results. Studies conducted suggest that over a certain period of time, continuous use of AHA products will result in smoother and even more uniformly pigmented skin.

Frequent fruit acid peel side effects comprise of slight, momentary tingling and redness. Nevertheless, these side effects typically die away within several hours. Facial peels can as well result in faintly irritated or peeling skin. According to FDA, use of AHA may cause skin sensitivity and boost the danger of sunburns. More severe reactions to AHA peels consist of irritation, swelling and pigment changes. You should stop using products immediately if these side effects occur.

· Phenol Acid Peels

Phenol peels are one of the strongest chemical skin peels available. They go through deep into the skin to care for sun damage, severe wrinkles and lines around the lips and chin. Even though it is a major treatment, it offers intense benefits for wrinkles and uneven pigment. Phenol peels offer good number dramatic results since the skin is forced to create new, thicker collagen. But since deep peels are so strong, they are frequently used on the face because they can cause scarring on the neck and other body parts. You should keep in mind that these peels, which are usually performed only once, can lead to a demarcation line on the skin, despite of your skin type, and need a healing time of more than two weeks.

The phenol peel effect is due to the croton oil agent. However, croton oil isn’t the only phenol agent that is found in phenol peels. Its effects are long lasting with the users seeing dramatic improvements. There are some dangers associated with phenol peels. You should always consult with your physician to achieve a total understanding of side effects or complications from its use.

What Light Chemical Peels Treat

· Betahydroxy acid peels are excellent for acne, uneven skin tone, oily skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Salicylic acid peels, which are akin to low-strength alphahydroxy acid peels, are most excellent for fighting whiteheads, blackheads, fine lines, wrinkles clogged pores, and uneven skin tone.

· Salicylic acid peels have effects partial to the epidermis since the acid doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin no matter how long it is left on for. If your skin is normal or dry, a salicylic acid peel, which’s the major type of betahydroxy acid peel, might be inappropriate for you. You should constantly use sunscreen with high SPF after the peel, since it increases the sun sensitivity.

· Chemical peel exfoliates the skin’s top layer, causing the normal cell turnover procedure to speed up. Glycolic and Salicylic acids are two of the most frequently used elements in light peels. They usually refresh your skin by removing the discolored skin cells.

· Salicylic or glycolic peels are sometimes mildly prickly and burn or tingle. It is also normal for the skin to be red, dry and peel for a number of days after treatment.

What Deep Peels Treat

· Phenol peels are excellent for treating sun damage, deep wrinkles, and lines.

· Whether under performance by your dermatologist or plastic surgeon, a deep to medium chemical peel can literally remove past skin damage. The acids that are used in chemical peels compel the skin to discard the outermost damaged layers. Chemical peels are a long-tested process that is proven to improve your wrinkles. Any deep peel or laser might produce lasting pigment changes in other patients.

Who Chemical Peels Are For

· Your physician will find out which chemical peel is most excellent for your concerns and your way of life, since some of them do need downtime and careful post-procedure heed.

· Akin to chemical peels, there is a wide range of resurfacing alternatives that can be used to get new, fresh skin cells to the exterior. Patients with deep wrinkles around their eyes and mouth are for erbium laser skin resurfacing at the time of their facelift.

· Treating acne in those with darker skin with the options like chemical peels and laser treatments is limited. The safest alternative for darker skin is the light salicylic acid peel, which doesn’t carry the danger of pigment changes. For mild exfoliation that won’t bother the skin, ask your plastic surgeon or dermatologist about an in-office lactic acid peel.

Who Chemical Peels Are Not For

· Deep laser resurfacing and chemical peels, often lead to pigmentation problems as well as loss of pigment or skin whitening, and must be avoided by people who have darker skin.

What to Expect

· All chemical peels involve the removal of the upper skin layers, also known as an ablative skin process. You will also experience redness, swelling, flaking and even peeling, so you should keep your skin hydrated after the treatment.

· Once you heal, you will see the overall improvement in your skin texture and color.

· Nowadays, more medic-spas offer medical-grade measures like light-based skin resurfacing treatments and chemical skin peels that were once kept for the doctor’s office. They can be great to optimize your appearance, as long as they meet your wellbeing.

Inside Tips of Chemical Peels

· Many medical facials are attached with chemical peels to speed up the normal process of skin shedding, which can result in redness and dryness.

· Peptides are thought to promote collagen synthesis to increase cell metabolism for additional elastic, youthful skin. In addition to that, peptide-rich skin care products can also be used after dermatological procedures such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing treatments since they don’t cause any irritation.

· It is significant not to smoke before or after any chemical peel because the constant pursing of your lips can lead to a reaction between the smoke chemicals and the chemical peel. Plus, smoking also deprives your skin oxygen for healing.

· Alphahydroxy acid chemical peels aren’t measured as medical procedures and aren’t regulated by the FDA. Peels with an AHA concentration of thirty percent or less can be carried out by an aesthetician, while a doctor should administer chemical peels with a concentration that is higher than thirty percent.

· Mild to severe burning is ordinary with the chemical skin peels. Any discomfort regularly subsides once peels are neutralized.

Care at home after chemical peels

One of the most significant things to recall after a chemical peel is to evade scrubbing, picking or assisting the chemical peel in any way. You should treat your skin as if you want to keep it on. Old dead skin that’s about to peel off acts like a protective barrier. If you cause your skin to peel off prematurely, you are at high risk for complications like hyper-pigmentation. Additionally, if you have accidentally removed or assisted the peeling skin prematurely, you should contact your skin health doctor immediately.

Furthermore, you should use a gentle cleanser until the peeling is complete. Avoid scrubs, exfoliates and all acne cleansers unless instructed otherwise by your physician. You should also avoid using cleansing brushes like the Clarisonic. You should cleanse your skin gently.

After the peeling phase

The first stage of the peel is known as the peeling stage. This stage is complete when your skin has stopped peeling and epithelialization has occurred. After your skin has finally completed peeling, you can start a skin care regimen. Once more, if you have had superficial peel, you should most likely carry on with the normal skin care regimen. If you have a deeper skin peel, the next phase is when dermal changes arise. You may be instructed by your skin care specialist to use products such as Hydroquinone and a good sun-block. You should also avoid exfoliating treatments and its products for approximately six weeks, depending on the depth of your peel.

In conclusion, chemical peels are for various skin distresses, and are frequently coupled with other skin treatments for the highest benefits. It’s very important that the individual administering the treatments is a skilled skin practitioner—if the Chemical peel is not left on long enough, there can be no effect; if it is left on the skin for a long time, it damage the living cells. Have an elastic and youthful look today with the amazing Chemical Peels!