How Long Does It Take To Do A Chemical Peel
A chemical peel is one of the most popular treatments in skincare today. They are relatively quick, relatively low-maintenance and extremely effective. Chemical peels work by removing the top layers of dead skin from your face and promoting new cell growth which gives you a fresh, radiant appearance.
How long does it take to do a chemical peel? That’s a question that so much of the time, nobody seems to know. It’s a question that is asked often because people are wondering about how many weeks or months they need to be going in for spa treatment.
How Long Does It Take To Do A Chemical Peel
Chemical peels work by removing the outer layer of skin to reveal a fresher layer beneath it. This process stimulates new cell growth and collagen production, which makes your skin look younger and more vibrant.
What is a chemical peel?
The chemical peel process is a simple and effective way to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Chemical peels help remove the top layer of damaged skin and promote the growth of new, healthy cells. While the entire procedure takes only minutes, it can have lasting effects on your skin that last for several months or even years after treatment.
In this article, we’ll go over what chemical peels are, how they work, what you can expect during a chemical peel treatment, and how you can care for your skin post-treatment.
Each type of chemical peel has its own benefits and drawbacks; for example, glycolic acid peels can help improve acne scars while trichloroacetic acid peels can help even out skin tone but may cause irritation. Talk with your dermatologist or aesthetician about which type of peel would be best suited for your needs!
How Long Does A Chemical Peel Take To Heal
The depth of your peel also dictates the length of your recovery period. For light and medium peels, you’ll experience flaking and peeling skin for 4-7 days after your procedure. For a deep peel, you can expect to be recuperating for up to 2 weeks, with significant peeling as well as some swelling and redness.
For those who desire an individualized, effective treatment for skin issues, at Bentley Skincare & Wellness and Wellness in Springfield, MO, we offer customized chemical peels targeted to your particular skincare need. So, how long does it take to recover from a chemical peel? There are a whole host of skincare issues that people commonly deal with, so the peel that is recommended for you will be based on your specific skin type.
Your skin may be dry, oily, normal, or sensitive. No matter the regimen that is prescribed, however, your treatment will consist of a pre-peel plan, the peel itself, and a post-treatment plan to promote your skin’s healthy recovery.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
In simple terms, a chemical peel consists of applying a peeling agent to your skin.
As a result, new skin growth is promoted over a period of days. The skin will now appear more even in texture, and improvements in pigmentation, scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles will be seen. Skin impurities will be drawn out, and overall, you will notice a brighter, fresher, more rejuvenated appearance.
Types of Peels
Since everyone’s skin is different, the type of peel that is recommended for you will vary depending on your skin type and any issues you may be having. There are several types of peels available, some of which contain Jessner’s solution, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or retinol.
There are also peel alternatives, or masks, that help facilitate the peeling and rejuvenation process as well.
Peels Containing Jessner’s Solution
Formulated decades ago by German-American dermatologist Dr. Max Jessner, peels containing Jessner’s solution have been shown to improve the appearance of all skin types. Peels with Jessner’s solution can reduce dark patches, age spots, scarring, and discoloration as they promote a bright, even skin tone. Overall, the skin will appear refreshed and revitalized.
If your skin is oily or sensitive, a PCA Peel® (Physicians Care Alliance) that is hydroquinone-free may be ideal for you. It has been found to even skin tone while improving skin that is prone to breakouts. For those patients with normal skin, a PCA Peel® with hydroquinone will brighten and rejuvenate skin while removing discoloration.
If your skin is in need of more potent treatment, a PCA Peel® with hydroquinone and resorcinol can improve the skin’s appearance, as it reduces damage due to the sun or scarring due to acne.
Peels Containing TCA
Many peels nowadays contain TCA. Designed for all skin types, including highly sensitive skin, Sensi Peel® is a gentle treatment that promotes improved skin texture and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. For those with mature skin, Ultra Peel® I will also provide brighter, more youthful-looking skin as it minimized lines and wrinkles.
If your skin is rather resilient, the Ultra Peel Forte® may be ideal for you. This potent product brightens and restores while it promotes a younger-looking appearance. Finally, the Smoothing Body Peel® is designed to improve the texture and tone of the thicker skin of your body.
Retinoid Treatments
There are two types of treatments available that contain retinol. The 4% Pure Retinol Peel revitalizes skin as it smooths and brightens by increasing new cell growth.
The Advanced Treatment Booster is designed to promote an increase in exfoliation, all the while soothing and reducing redness in the skin of all types. This particular peel will also restore keratinization, which helps protect skin and acts as a barrier.
Peel Alternatives/Masks
There are several alternative peels or masks from which to choose, and each targets a different skin type. For patients with dry skin, the Therapeutic Oat Milk Mask Treatment is designed to hydrate and soothe dull, dry skin. If your skin tends to stay in the normal range, the Therapeutic Papaya Mask can brighten skin tone, rejuvenate, and refresh.
In addition, several treatments are available for oily skin, all of which detoxify, purify, and calm the skin. The Detox Gel Deep Pore Treatment, the Therapeutic Salicylic Acid Mask, and the Therapeutic Charcoal Mask are all offered by our office.
Before the Peel
Eligibility
Prior to undergoing any sort of chemical treatment, it is imperative that our doctors determine if the peel is right for you.
In addition, if you have an outdoor job, a peel might not be appropriate for you, just as those with a history of poor wound healing should probably not undergo such treatment. Finally, if you are receiving treatment for acne, you should avoid a peel while undergoing this treatment.
A Pre-Peel Plan
You may be asked to use retinol or a product containing Retin-A in order to stimulate cell turnover and increase the peel’s ability to penetrate into the skin. Typically, this pre-peel care would stop at least several days before your treatment. Sometimes, no preparation is necessary prior to having a peel: it depends upon the needs of your skin and the peel.
The Peel
After you arrive for your designated appointment, our staff will begin by thoroughly cleaning your skin in order to remove any oil or products that may interfere with the chemicals in the peel.
Many peels are removed within three to five minutes after application, and cool compresses or lotion may be applied to help soothe the skin. Other peels are self-neutralizing and may remain on the skin for up to an hour. Because each peel varies, our team will review the specifics of your peel prior to performing any sort of treatment.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Chemical Peel?
The First Day
This is typical; however, moisturizer can be liberally applied in order to help soothe your skin. Usually, if you have had a medium peel, the shedding begins after those first 24 hours.
The Days After
Your skin will soon begin to appear dry and flaky, but it is best to let this procedure occur naturally and not pick or peel the skin before it is ready to be shed. Peeling skin before it is ready to come off can be counter-productive.
Within seven to fourteen days, your skin should be completely healed. If you work in an office or indoor setting, you should require no time off from work after your peel.
Peel Aftercare
Moisturize
In order to promote better healing and improve your comfort following a chemical peel, there are several steps that you can take. Immediately after your peel, you may find that ice packs or cool air provide you with a cooler, more comfortable feeling.
To that end, frequent use of a moisturizer is imperative, and you may find yourself moisturizing ten to twenty times per day. This will allow your skin to continue to peel but will reduce the more obvious flaking that occurs. A moisturizing cleanser may also be recommended by your specialist as well. As previously mentioned, you should also restrict yourself from picking, pulling, or peeling your shedding skin.
Avoid Sun and Heat
Of course, avoiding sun exposure is critical.
Extremely hot showers or excessive sweating may also rush the peeling process along too quickly and should be avoided. Since your new skin will be fresh and new, it is important to baby it, especially in the early going.
Skin Looks Worse After Chemical Peel
Some patients experience a slight purge after a chemical peel or any aesthetic procedure for that matter. Your body uses the skin to push toxins out, which sometimes can result in the skin looking worse before it gets better. If you experience a purge, do not worry because it is normal.
The most frequent concern people have is that their skin looks worse in the days following a chemical peel. But does that mean their skin is ruined? No.
As your skin goes through the exfoliation and regeneration process it will be a peeling mess until you’re able to see the improvement.
Superficial and medium depth peels are dynamic tools when used as part of office procedures for treatment of acne, pigmentation disorders, and photo-aging. Results and complications are generally related to the depth of wounding, with deeper peels providing more marked results and higher incidence of complications. Complications are also more likely with darker skin types, certain peeling agents, and sun exposure. They can range from minor irritations, uneven pigmentation to permanent scarring. In very rare cases, complications can be life-threatening.
Chemical peel is the most popular and common non-invasive cosmetic procedure done since the 18th century. The earliest use of caustic preparations for peeling procedures was described in the Egyptian medicine in the Ebers papyrus as early as 1550 BC.[1,2] Dermatologists began to show interest in peeling in the 19th century. In 1874 in Vienna, the dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra used the technique to treat melasma, Addison’s disease, and freckles. In 1882 in Hamburg, Paul G.
The skin looks worse after chemical peel because the skin is an organ and it has a job to do. The skin heals itself and it knows what it needs to do. The process often causes extreme redness, swelling and pain for the first 24 hours after the procedure. This is normal and part of the healing process.
You can have a chemical peel, but it’s not going to fix the deeper issues.
Chemical peels are definitely a good idea if you have some mild to moderate damage and you want to improve your skin’s appearance. But if you’ve got more significant concerns and want to address them, chemical peels aren’t the answer.