With the use of a chemical solution, layers of skin are removed during a chemical peel, revealing younger skin underneath. Scars, inconsistent skin tone, wrinkles, creases, and other skin imperfections can all be improved with chemical peels. The kind of skin problem treated and the extent of the peel are determined by different chemicals. Now, let’s learn more!
A Chemical Peel: What is it?
A chemical peel, also called chemexfoliation or dermal peeling, improves the appearance of your skin by using a chemical solution. Your skin is treated using a chemical-based solution that traumatizes or damages its layers during this treatment. The skin eventually peels off its layers to reveal younger skin. Smoother and less wrinkled, the regenerated skin usually has an improved even tone and a brighter complexion.
What Problem Can Be Treated with a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels can be used to manage certain skin diseases or to enhance the color and feel of your skin, which will improve your look. The most typical areas for chemical peels are the hands, neck, and face. They could lessen or enhance the following:
- Fine lines behind the eyes and on your lips, as well as wrinkles brought on by aging, genetics, and sun exposure.
- Actinic keratosis, Scaly, precancerous lesions.
- Rough, scaly skin with a lackluster complexion.
- Melasma, or dark spots, is brought on by pregnancy or birth control use.
Your dermatologist will collaborate with you to decide how deep your peel should be. This joint decision may change depending on the therapy’s goals and the state of your skin.
Are Chemical Peels Suitable for All Types of Skin?
In general, superficial peels work well on all skin types. If, on the other hand, you happen to have darker skin, there’s a greater chance that your skin will darken after treatment. This phenomenon is known as hyperpigmentation following inflammation. See your dermatologist about less invasive treatments that may reduce your risk of hyperpigmentation if you have naturally darker skin.
Additionally, chemical peeling might not be advised if you possess a background of unusual skin scars, add more pigment to your scars, can’t avoid the sun during the recovery time, or are more sensitive to skin care products or skin disorders.
How do Chemical Peels Go About at Rapt Beauty & Body?
At Rapt Beauty & Body, an outpatient chemical peel is a procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office. Your pupils and hair will be shielded from the harsh chemicals used to completely wash your skin, which will also eliminate extra oil. Your skin is then treated with a chemical solution. Typical chemical solutions include lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol). The various chemical kinds each penetrate to a different depth in the skin before flaking away to expose another layer of skin, resulting in controlled damage.
Different outcomes are produced by the various chemical solutions. The chemical you choose will depend on your objective. Your dermatologist will collaborate with you to decide how deep your peel should be.
Light Chemical Peel
Often performed in a series, a light (“lunchtime”) chemical peel offers gradual improvements over time. The skin’s outermost layer is cut off. To assist produce a healthy glow, this option can be ideal if you have fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, or dry, rough skin from sun exposure. This kind of peel can heal in a few minutes to a few days, with minimal or no discomfort.
Medium Chemical Peel
A medium peel with chemicals leaves your skin looking radiant and smooth. Both your uppermost and outermost layers of skin are gone. If you have age spots, acne scars, fine-to-moderate wrinkles, or inconsistent or moderate skin discoloration, this option might be ideal for you. This kind of peel may take a week or longer to heal, and there may be some downtime.
Deep Chemical Peel
The most striking effects are obtained with a deep chemical peel. This substance gets into your skin’s middle bottom layer. A deep peel requires more time to recover from. If you have deep acne scarring, blotchy skin, medium lines and wrinkles, substantial sun damage, or cancerous development called actinic keratosis, this option might be ideal for you.
Pretreatment for a deep peel with chemicals might take as much as eight weeks. Specific instructions will be given by your physician. If done on your face, a deep peel using chemicals is a one-time procedure with a considerable recovery period.
General Guidelines to Get Ready for Chemical Peel
Here are some general guidelines to help you get ready for your chemical peel:
- Prior to each treatment, refrain from tanning and intense ultraviolet radiation for two weeks.
- Before receiving treatment, use topical treatments (such as hydroquinone) as directed to moisturize your skin.
- Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, avoid using any retinoid-containing products (such as tretinoin) for a week to two weeks prior to treatment.
- Start taking any oral antibiotics or oral antivirals that have been prescribed to you for a minimum of 24 hours preceding your chemical peel.
- There should be no open sores, lesions, or skin infections on the peel areas.
- For your particular skin type and condition, your doctor will prescribe specific guidelines.
- On the day of the peel, the treated area will be cleansed completely. You will be given general anesthesia (you will be sleeping) if you undergo a deep chemical peel.
The Bottom Line!
A peel, also called a chemical peel, is a cosmetic procedure used to eliminate your skin’s outermost layer. By doing this, lines and wrinkles, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and scarring may be reduced. It might also benefit skin conditions including rosacea and acne. However, a chemical peel cannot treat deep creases and scars. It also won’t undo sun damage or tighten slack skin. Consult your healthcare provider or visit the Rapt Beauty & Body website to find out if a chemical peel is appropriate for you.