If you’ve tried foam cleansers, toners, spot treatments, and scar lighteners but cannot get your skin that glows, it may be time to consider a chemical peel.
This treatment removes dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new ones to give your skin that healthy, radiant look you desire.
Reduces Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Over time, we age, and the outer layer of skin loses its youthful suppleness. Chemical peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. They also help to improve skin tone and texture by removing uneven pigmentation.
Chemical peel treatments can treat various facial issues, including sun spots, age spots, freckles, acne scarring, and precancerous scaly patches called actinic keratosis. They can also reduce sagging, deep scarring, and enlarged pores. In addition, they can mitigate drooping eyelids and improve the face’s overall appearance.
The exact procedure varies depending on the type of peel you choose. Your skin will be thoroughly cleansed and prepared before the peel is applied. Once the solution has been applied, it will cause the top layers of your skin to blister and eventually peel away, revealing fresh new skin underneath. Your dermatologist will work with you to determine the appropriate peel for your desired results and skin condition.
The recovery from a chemical peel can be lengthy, and you may need to stay out of the sun and avoid using any skin products that irritate your newly regenerated skin. Some people can experience a temporary or permanent change in the color of their skin, and if you have a history of herpes outbreaks, a chemical peel can trigger cold sores.
Evens Skin Tone & Texture
A chemical peel removes built-up layers of skin that can cause your complexion to look rough or dull. This allows healthy new cells to grow and replace older ones, revealing fresh, renewed skin even in tone and texture.
If you have enlarged pores, chemical peels can also help to reduce them by dissolving the sticky material that holds oil and dirt. Over time, this can make your pores appear smaller and smoother, an integral part of attractive facial skin.
Light chemical peels treat uneven skin tone and blotchiness due to sun damage, age, or genetics. They can also improve mild acne. However, wearing sunscreen daily is essential because your skin will be temporarily more sensitive to the sun.
Medium chemical peels can help to remove fine lines and wrinkles, scarring, and blemishes. They can also lighten or erase dark spots like melasma, freckles, and even skin tone. However, these peels might require a longer recovery because they can cause significant redness and swelling.
Deep chemical peels can effectively treat deeper scarring and wrinkles. This is because they can trigger your body to produce new collagen and stimulate skin cell growth. This results in firmer and more elastic skin, which helps smooth out fine lines and creases.
Reduces Sun Damage
Chemical peels remove damaged skin cells that hold on to pigmentation and encourage the growth of new healthy skin. This increases the rate at which sun damage is repaired and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels can also help reduce melasma, a chronic form of hyperpigmentation often resistant to treatment by other methods.
Your California Skin Institute provider will choose a light, medium, or deep chemical peel based on your current skin condition and treatment goals. During your consultation, you will be asked about your health history, whether or not you have scarring, persistent cold sores, or facial X-rays; medications and supplements that make your skin sensitive; if you take birth control pills or are pregnant.
A light chemical peel will exfoliate the outermost layer of your skin, which can improve fine lines and slight discoloration. A medium peel will remove the upper part of the middle skin layer, which can diminish age spots and uneven skin tone. A deep peel will remove the middle and lower layers of your skin, which can minimize enlarged pores and deeper scars.
Regardless of the strength of the peel, you will likely experience some redness and stinging following your chemical peel. You must wear sunscreen daily to avoid irritation and ensure that your newly formed skin is protected.
Reduces Acne
Chemical peels work to remove dead skin cells, revealing fresh new skin underneath. This helps to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even out the skin tone and texture. It also reduces sun damage by stripping away the damaged outer layer of skin.
This rejuvenating treatment can improve many skin problems, including large pores, uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and scarring. It can also help to diminish acne, blackheads, and whiteheads by removing the dead skin that often causes these issues.
The acid in chemical peels can suit your skin type and needs. Safe-for-skin acids like glycolic and salicylic acids can target uneven skin tone, reduce acne, and shrink enlarged pores through cell turnover. Darden lauds Dr. Dennis Gross’s peel pads containing these and other safe-for-skin acids to address various skin concerns.
After a chemical peel, the skin may develop redness or other signs of inflammation. To minimize this, it is essential to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner. This includes avoiding sun exposure and applying protective ointments as directed. It is also necessary to avoid exfoliating the treated skin and use only recommended skin care products.
There is a low risk of scarring in some regions of the face after a chemical peel, and specific individuals may be more susceptible to this. However, scarring is usually treatable and heals well with proper care.
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