Do you ever wish you could peel off your sun-damaged, acneic, dull skin to reveal a fresher and brighter complexion? There are a variety of chemical peels options to help you do just that.
Our outermost layer of skin serves as a barrier against air pollution, sunlight, and bacteria. These harmful factors along with the loss of collagen and elastin cause unwanted damage leaving us with lines, dullness, and unsightly pigment. A chemical peel can be effective treatment to combat these skin issues.
What is a Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is a non-invasive procedure that peels the top layer of the skin using a chemical solution directly applied to the skin.
A chemical peel can treat conditions such as:
- Wrinkles – Wrinkles naturally appear when aging. They are folds and creases on the skin that is easy to identify.
- Acne – Acne appears at any age—acne forms when pores are clogged with sebum and bacteria.
- Hyperpigmentation – is the term used to describe a commonly harmless skin condition that creates dark patches on the skin.
- Melasma – is a common type of hyperpigmentation. 5 million Americans are experiencing this type of skin condition.
Chemical Peel Depths
There are different depths of chemical peels that can used to treat skin conditions.
● Light Chemical Peels –A light chemical peel can be performed every 2-4 weeks because the treatment only works with the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis)
● Medium Chemical Peels – A medium chemical peel reaches a deeper depth on the skin from the epidermis to the upper layer of the dermis. These peels can usually be performed every 4-6 weeks depending on the reaction achieved.
● Deep Chemical Peels -This type of chemical peel typically uses phenol and reaches a deeper layer compared to the medium chemical peel. These can be very aggressive and have a long recovery time.
There are many factors to be aware of when it comes to chemical peels – what chemicals are being used, the downtime and reaction to the peels, what skin type they’re meant forand potential side effects. Let’s review some of the most common chemical peels.
Types of Peels
- Glycolic Peels – A glycolic peelis likely your best bet to combat skin dullness. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps to gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin. It is one of the mildest peels, and can be good to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.
- TCA Chemical Peels – TCA or trichloroacetic acid peels are a medium-depth peel that penetrates deeper than the glycolic or salicylic acid. This makes them a good choice for those with scarring or pigmentation issues. Its effective in treating the skin on the various areas of the body such as the face, neck, hands, and legs. This peel requires fewer peeling sessions but requires moderate downtime with peeling of up to a week.
- Salicylic Peels –Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that’s effective at targeting oil glands. Someone with congested, acne-prone skin would benefit from this as salicylic acid penetrates deeply into your pores to clear congestion. It can clear away oils that build up and cause whiteheads and blackheads.
- Retinol Peels-Retinol is a vitamin commonly use as an ingredient for cosmetic brands and products. Retinol penetrates the deeper layer of the dermis and promotes skin cell growth to enhance and renew the skin. Retinol has various benefits: anti-aging results, reduced acne breakout, skin hydration, and even skin tone.
- Vitamin C Peels- If you are exposed to pollution andsunlight, you would benefit from a Vitamin C peel. We know that Vitamin C works well to protect our skin against harmful external factors. The Vitamin C peel works an antioxidant that deeply cleanses pores while also acting as an anti-bacterial.
The Right Chemical Peel for your Skin
Each skin type has different needs and requires different approaches and care. Even though treatment results often vary from person to person, chemical peels have proven effective benefits for most everyone. At the Aesthetic Center of Plastic Surgery, we ensure a professional and personalized treatment for each patient. Visit our practice in Bismarck or Minot for a chemical peel or other service that is right for you.