If you’re considering chemical peels for your skin, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of visiting a dermatologist’s office, we have good news: chemical peel kits are now available for purchase at home. While chemical peels are typically expensive, they can help you get rid of wrinkles, acne scars and other skin conditions by removing layers of dead skin cells. Chemical peels work by using a chemical solution to destroy the outer layer of skin cells on your face or body. The solution causes your skin to peel off in days or weeks, revealing new healthy skin underneath.
Chemical peels were once only available through doctors’ offices and spas because they required specialized training to administer correctly. Now there are several options available online so you can do-it-yourself without having to pay an expensive professional fee!
Read on to learn more about What To Know About Chemical Peel Kit At Home, Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
What To Know About Chemical Peel Kit At Home
While the occasional breakout, even during quarantine, can be a nuisance, it was something that for the most part, I’d managed to keep under control. A few weeks ago, however, my face went absolutely haywire. Between my demanding work schedule, stress of still being in the midst of a pandemic, possibly too much vodka, and not properly cleansing after a long day, I was left with breakouts reminiscent of the ones I used to have in high school. I panicked — which probably didn’t help my skin — and immediately began thinking of anything I could do to resolve the issue immediately. After calling my esthetician and discovering that they didn’t have any openings for the next two weeks, I decided to try an at-home chemical peel.
When I found out that PCA Skin, the creator of the beloved professional PCA Peel — which I’ve loved for years — finally created an at-home friendly formula, I was sold in an instant. My general experience with the professional-grade formula involves active peeling for at least three to four days post-treatment. I’m one of those people that likes to see skin care treatments at work, so I was a little sad to learn that the peeling wouldn’t be as intense with the at-home option. However, I stayed optimistic.
Like any other proper peel, I needed a fresh canvas. So I made sure my skin was clean and toned before applying the peeling solution right before bed. Now, to be clear, applying the product all night isn’t exactly a requirement. However, the product instructions recommend using the peel “at night to rejuvenate skin while you sleep. Leave the treatment on for at least 4 hours before removing it with warm water.” I went for the “while you sleep” option, because why not?
The peel itself comes in a small vial and is a blend of enzymes and AHAs made to brighten, smooth, and exfoliate the skin. The gel-like consistency is applied with a small facial brush provided in the packaging. I applied a generous amount all over the face, avoiding my eye and eyebrow area, and was sure to really coat my problematic chin and jawline. There was a small bit of tingling — as to be expected — and within five minutes, the solution had dried to my skin. I say “dried” because to the touch you can feel the peel is stiffened as it sits on the face. From the moment that I applied it, I could see brightening, and by the time I woke up, my skin was already visibly brighter, the acne bumps that had broken through were already smaller in size, and my texture felt so much smoother.
Like with any professional peel, the next few days were just as important as the treatment itself. To not interfere with the effects or over-exert my skin, I only used a gentle cleanser and moisturizer for the three days following, something I’ve been advised to do by dermatologists for past post-peels. Over about three to four days, my skin continued to improve as the exfoliation continued. By day four, I was ready to transition back to my regular skin care routine, and a week in, my skin looked more radiant than ever. There wasn’t an acne bump in sight and my hyperpigmentation had faded tremendously.
Given the cold temperatures and occasional over-drying of the skin, I’ve resolved to using this at-home peel every three to four weeks. And while I wouldn’t replace this with a professional treatment — as I mentioned, I love a deeper, medical-grade formula — until I’m ready to get back into the swing of my dermatologist appointments, this is the next best thing.
So if you’re like me, an avid in-office peel lover who’s looking for a solution that’s strong, yet safe to apply yourself, check out my at-home peel regimen that works almost as well as the real thing.
Chemical peel side effects
Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.
Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck, or hands. They can be used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Improve the look and feel of skin
Areas of sun damage may improve after chemical peeling.
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, meaning it protects against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Also, it should be a physical sunscreen and be above SPF 30. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. But you also may be more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure.
Skin sags, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler (collagen or fat). A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you.
Before You Get a Chemical Peel
Tell your doctor if you have any history of scarring, cold sores that keep coming back, or facial X-rays.
Before you get a chemical peel, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs and prepare your skin by using other medications, such as Retin-A, Renova, or glycolic acid. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Work with your doctor to determine the depth of your peel. This decision depends upon the condition of your skin and your goals for treatment.
Ask your doctor in advance whether you will need to have someone drive you home after your peel.
How Chemical Peels Are Done
You can get a chemical peel in a doctor’s office or in a surgery center. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning there’s no overnight stay.
The professional who does your peel will first clean your skin thoroughly. Then they will apply one or more chemical solutions — such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol) — to small areas of your skin. That creates a controlled wound, letting new skin take its place.
During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts about five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease that stinging. You may need pain medication during or after a deeper peel.
What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
Depending upon the type of chemical peel, a reaction similar to sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. Mild peels may be repeated at one to four-week intervals until you get the look you’re after.
Medium-depth and deep peeling may result in swelling as well as blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of seven to 14 days. Medium-depth peels may be repeated in six to 12 months, if necessary.
After treatment, you may need bandages for several days on part or all of the skin that was treated.
You’ll need to avoid the sun for several months after a chemical peel since your new skin will be fragile.
Possible Complications
Some skin types are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent color change in the skin after a chemical peel. Taking birth control pills, subsequent pregnancy, or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may make that more likely.
There is a low risk of scarring in certain areas of the face. Some people may be more likely to scar. If scarring does happen, it can usually be treated with good results.
For people with a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a small risk of reactivating cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe medication to prevent or treat that.
Chemical peeling advantages and disadvantages
A chemical peel is a mixture of chemicals that forms gel-like consistency. It’s applied to the face in order to smooth the surface of the skin, remove the appearance of fine lines and remove blemishes. There are three types of chemical peels: mild, medium-depth and deep. Each have their advantages and serve different purposes.
What Are the Advantages of a Mild Chemical Peel?
- Chemical peels help to smooth dry skin
- Can help with pigmentation problems
- Controls acne
- Removes blemishes
- Less recovery time
- Helps with mild sun-damage
- Reduces mild blotchiness
- Fresher and younger looking appearance
What Are the Advantages of a Medium-Depth Chemical Peel?
- Thin facial lines are removed or the appearance is less noticeable
- The medium-depth reduces facial birthmarks
- The pigmentation in the skin is improved
- Helps with dry skin and old acne scarring
- Helps with sun-damaged skin
- Improves blotchy skin
- Younger looking overall appearance
What Are the Advantages of a Deep Chemical Peel?
- Ability to remove pre-cancerous growths
- Deeper acne scar emanation
- Long lasting effect
- Eliminates deeper lines on the face??
- Controls acne
- Helps with deep or course wrinkles
- Age spot removal
- Only a single treatment is necessary
- Smoother skin, younger appearance
- Long-term results are very good when the peel is specifically for acne scarring
The advantages of chemical peels are many, and all three help with different issues. The deep chemical peels are reserved for those with the worst types of skin problems, including serious acne, scarring and birthmarks. Some disadvantages of chemical peels need mentioning.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Chemical Peel?
- Excessive peeling normally happens more with the medium-depth peel and particularly with the deep peel
- Stinging sensation when initially applied
- Redness appears. Again, this is particularly so with the deep and medium peels. The light peel normally results in peeling like a sunburn.
- Temporarily may feel a bit of numbness
- Deep chemical peels can cause a crusting or scabbing after the treatment, as the deep dead skin cells are sleuthing off. This is temporary.
- Sensitivity to the sun ? you will need to stay out of the sun for a short time after the peel as your skin is more sensitive
- Costs can also be a disadvantage for some, since the average chemical peel cost $500 for each treatment
While some disadvantages do exist for chemical peels, the advantages do outweigh them particularly for those suffering from severe skin problems, such as acne or acne scarring. Even with the disadvantages, most people that have had them report they would have it again because of the overall improvement of their skin’s surface and the younger fresher look the entire chemical peels bring about. The discomforts often associated with a chemical peel are temporary and subside rather quickly.