What are chemical / skin peels?
Chemical peels produce controlled injury to the skin, which promote growth of new skin and improved appearance. A variety of chemicals can be used as peeling agents and include glycolic, trichloroacetic (TCA), salicylic and resorcinol. The different chemical solutions produce different degrees of injury to the skin.
What are chemical peels used for?
Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photo-aging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, precancerous lesions, and discoloration (including melasma, freckles, and age spots).
How are chemical peels performed?
There are numerous chemical peels and each one is performed differently. In general, chemical peels usually begin with vigorous cleansing of the skin, followed by application of the appropriate peel.
What is the most popular peel solution?
Glycolic Acid - probably due to the fact that all skin types benefit from Glycolic Acid - is the most commonly recognized chemical peel solution. Salicylic Acid is also very common for use in combatting the causes of oily skin and breakouts.
How long do chemical peels take?
Most peels can be performed within a few minutes, depending on size of the area being treated.
What will my skin feel like after a chemical peel?
The state of your skin after a peel depends on the type of chemical used and your skin type. Superficial peels have limited effects. Medium peels may cause some redness and the deeper peels may require 10-14 days to recover.
How many peels will I need?
Generally chemical peels are done once every 2-3 weeks, until the desired results are achieved. Maintenance peels can then be performed once a month.
How long do the results last?
With good sun protection, results can last months, even years. This is dependent upon the depth of the peel. The deeper peels generally provide a long-lasting effect.