Everyone wants clear, vibrant skin. Achieving that effect is easier said than done. Chemical peels are one of the best treatment options for people that want better and brighter skin.
Chemical peels have been around for nearly two hundred years, and there is no shortage of different types. If you’re overwhelmed looking at your options, you’re not alone. Here are the essential chemical peel benefits and things to look for when you shop.
What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are a type of skin-resurfacing treatment. A specialist applies a chemical solution to your skin, removing the outermost layers of dead skin. The result is smoother, fresher looking skin.
Most people get chemical peels for their faces, though, they also work for the hands and neck. The goal is to reveal the healthy underlying skin that makes you look your best. Chemical face peel benefits also include reducing fine lines, wrinkles, dark patches, and some types of acne.
When to Use a Chemical Peel
Chemicals peels are a straightforward and affordable solution for people with skin problems. It treats a wide range of conditions, too. The key is deciding whether you want a light, medium, or deep procedure.
A light chemical peel removes the superficial layer of the epidermis. It is ideal for mild skin damage and typically takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Facial chemical peel benefits include reducing acne scars, sun damage, and uneven skin tones.
A medium chemical peel is better for moderate wrinkles and creases. The treatment removes the top layer and the middle layer of skin. The procedure requires sedation, and recovery times are a few days to a few weeks. While the results of a light chemical peel only last two to five weeks, medium chemical peels last for three to nine months.
Deep chemical peels are the most labor-intensive option, as they remove everything down to your lower dermis. This aggressive treatment is ideal for pre-cancerous lesions, severe sun damage, and deep wrinkles. Doctors typically recommend only receiving a deep chemical peel once.
What Are the Benefits of a Chemical Peel?
There are several chemical peel benefits and effects. The most significant one is the versatility. Chemical peels can treat a range of skin conditions, regardless of whether they affect your dermis or epidermis.
The treatment leaves you with younger-looking skin in a matter of minutes. That includes brighter skin tones without unwanted blemishes or redness. Chemical peels are also effective at reducing hyperpigmentation, such as uneven patches or freckles.
The benefits of chemicals peels depend on the treatment type. People that receive light chemical peels have fast recovery times and do not require painkillers. There are minimal side effects because doctors only remove the top layer of skin.
Deep chemical peels take more time but come with longer-lasting and more dramatic results. They are optimal for anyone who wants to reverse sun damage or aging. That includes marionette lines, crow’s feet, and age spots.
The procedure has considerable health and aesthetic upsides. Deep chemical peels remove pre-cancerous growths or lesions that may become malignant. The same applies to deep facial scars that otherwise require laser therapy or microdermabrasion to treat.
What Are the Cons of a Chemical Peel?
There are not many drawbacks to a chemical peel. The most consideration con is that it won’t work on everything, including severe wrinkles. While we would love to tell you that you’ll look a decade younger after your chemical peel, you will not.
Chemical peels come with some potential side effects. Your exact experience will depend on your skin condition, health, treatment, and doctor. Some of the most common side effects include redness and changes in skin color. Scarring, infection, and organ damage are rare, but they do happen.
How to Use a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels involve three stages: before, during, and after. A doctor cleans your face before the procedure so that the peel can remove the maximum amount of dead skin. Some specialists may apply goggles or hairnets for additional protection. Painkillers or sedation are only necessary for deep chemical peels.
Let’s say you want the benefits of a chemical peel on your face. The doctor applies the chemical solution with a cotton ball, gauze, or brush from your hairline to your chin. The exact mixture depends on whether you are getting a light, medium, or deep chemical peel.
The chemicals sit on your face until they start to turn white. The doctor then applies a neutralizing solution for light chemical peels. Some clinics prefer to wash the skin instead.
Medium and deep chemical peels are more intricate and last longer. Deep chemical peels can take 90 minutes to finish and require intravenous fluids and heart rate monitoring. Both involve applying compression to soothe the treated skin without any neutralization liquid.
The benefits of chemical peel treatments are only recognizable if you use sunscreen after your visit. Apply sunscreen every time you leave the house for a month. Avoid waxing or bleaching your hair, in addition to massages and other facial treatments.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Chemical Peel?
Most people that want better skin can receive chemical peel benefits. The treatment is not for everyone, though. Doctors may caution anyone taking acne medications like Claravis and Amnesteem.
You may not receive all the benefits of a chemical peel if you have abnormal skin pigments or excessive scar tissue in the treatment area. People with frequent cold sore outbreaks should use caution when considering chemical peels. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about treatment or potential adverse reactions.
The Bottom Line
Chemical peels are an attractive option if you have the right skin type. You can treat everything from wrinkles to fine lines to acne scarring. The best thing you can do is contact your cosmetologist or primary care doctor to see if you are a viable candidate. Weighing the pros and cons makes it easier to access chemical peel benefits and start looking your best. Schedule a consultation with Soma Plastics today.
