Chemical Peel

Age, environment and even genetics can cause unwanted blemishes and wrinkles. Many women today are choosing chemical peels to resolve many of their skin dilemmas.

One of the oldest cosmetic procedures, the chemical peel dates back to ancient, Rome, Greece and Egypt. Furthermore, the benefits and reasons for a chemical peel are numerous. Peels restore skin to a youthful appearance and can diminish fine lines, acne scars and uneven pigmentation.

The process of a chemical peel involves applying a chemical solution to the skin. Trichlorcactic acid, phenol and alpha hydroxy acids are used in the application.

After a period of three days or more the dead and damaged skin will peel off.

Chemical peels work at a deep, cellular level to remove a buildup of dead skin. By removing the dull skin, it allows younger, brighter, more radiant skin to come forward. –Darcia Bondurant, licensed esthetician for Mountain Radiance Medical Spa.

Chemical peels are popular because they address many skin concerns. If one wants a firmer complexion, smaller pores, and younger brighter skin then the superficial peel is most desired.

I love my skin after a facial peel. It is so smooth and radiant -58 year old client.

The superficial peel, which is the mildest of all peels, also controls oil and breakouts, as well as removes fine wrinkles. These peels use alpha hydroxy acids, which are derived from lemons, oranges, limes, pineapples, milk, sugar cane, apples and grapes.

Another choice in superficial peels involves pumpkin and beta-c. Especially effective for skin with hyper-pigmentation, acne or aging skin, this peel is a great alternative.

Further, Skinmedica’s Illuminize peel is ideal for first time patients. It combines malic acid from milk with phytic acid to produce a peel with very low irritation.

For a peel that penetrates more deeply and addresses melasma, skin abnormalities, uneven pigmentation and photo damage, a client should utilize the medium peel. The medium peel uses tricholorcactic acid and produces a second degree burn on the skin which after several days peels off.

However, Skinmedica manufactures Vitalize and Rejuvenize, which are medium peels with little or no burning.

The deep peel (performed at a dermitologist’s office), which utilizes phenol, penetrates several layers of skin and is primarily used as treatment for skin blemishes, acne scars, pigment changes, deep wrinkles, precancerous growths and severe sun damage. Deep peels have the most dramatic results and have been known to last as long as twenty years.

While superficial and medium peels are performed repeatedly, a deep peel is done only once.

A concern of many clients is the “down time” or the duration of days it takes the skin to heal. The superficial peel has the least amount of downtime which is usually two days.

The medium peel and can take up to fourteen days or longer and the deep peel can take up to three months for complete healing. However, with advancements in the chemical peel industry, down time can be decreased dramatically.

Chemical peels are viable and popular option for those who are not satisfied with their skins current appearance, texture or tone. The variety of peels available makes it possible to achieve a firmer comlexion, and a smoother more youthful appearance.