Chemical peels are a popular skin care treatment that can help improve skin tone and texture. A chemical peel is designed to resurface the surface of your skin, removing damaged cells and revealing new ones underneath. It’s a great way to refresh your complexion and give your skin a healthy glow.
However, not all chemical peels are created equal. The type of chemical used in a peel will impact how effective it is, as well as its safety and cost. There are many different types of chemical peels available today — from alpha hydroxy acids to trichloroacetic acid (TCA) — each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we’ll discuss some of these different types of chemical peels so you can make an informed decision about which one might work best for you!
Read on to learn more about What To know About Chemical Peel Juvederm, Chemical Peel Side Effects and What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
What To know About Chemical Peel Juvederm
Juvederm® and Other Dermal Fillers
Provided by Sally Lake RN, BSN, CNS
To enhance the fullness of your lips, or to erase deep facial lines
Our most popular filler, Juvaderm®, is a hyaluronic acid. Juvaderm® works by attracting 1000 times its weight in water, thereby providing volume or “plumpness” in the area where it is placed. Juvederm is a safe and natural substance present in everyone’s body. There is no risk of allergic reaction. Juvaderm® lasts for 6-12 months.
Have fuller, younger looking lips
If you were born with thin lips or your lips are thinning with age, this procedure is an easy way to fill out, define, and reshape your lips. We are committed to keeping you safe and comfortable, and your lips will be completely anesthetized to the procedure.
Eliminate deep facial lines and wrinkles
Nasolabial lines or lines around your mouth can easily be filled to soften your facial contour. Also lines at the corner of your mouth, which tends to result in a frown, can be lifted and filled. This procedure can erase years from your appearance.
Botox Cosmetic®
Provided by Sally Lake RN, BSN, CNS
Botox® Injections – the favorite wrinkle relaxer.
Botox® is made by Botox Cosmetic®, a division of Allergan. It has 20 year history and was originally given for eye twitching in adult and pediatric cases. When adults noticed a dramatic softening of wrinkles around the eyes. the cosmetic application began.
Botox® is mainly for three areas of the face. The area between the eyes (scowl), also known as the glabellar area, has FDA approval for Botox® administration. Off-label usage is common for the forehead and crow’s feet areas of the face. It simply relaxes the muscle, leaving you with a rested, younger look. Unlike the TV stereotype, Botox® does not leave you with a frozen expression.
Botox® generally lasts for 4 to 6 months, but can last longer in subsequent applications.
We price Botox® by the unit so that you pay for only what you need and use. We do not over-dilute Botox®, therefore injections utilize a very small amount of solution and are not painful.
Skin Rejuvenation
Provided by Sally Lake RN, BSN, CNS
Medical Grade Chemical Peels
We are pleased to offer three excellent peels by Skin Medica®. The lightest peel is the Illuminize peel, which is safe for all skin types, and does not cause unsightly peeling, so there is no down time. The Vitalize peel is a moderated chemical peel which usually results in a few days of light peeling. A series of 4 to 6 peels is recommended and will smooth the texture of the skin, even skin tone, and reverse the effect of sun damage and aging. The Vitalize Peel is effective in treating acne-prone skin and can be used on the face, back and decollete. Our deepest peel is the Rejuvenize Peel which penetrates the epidermis to produce significant results with minimal irritation. It is indicated for sun-damaged skin, acne, acne scarring and melasma. Peeling starts 2 days after the procedure and can last up to 5 days.
Vibraderm®
We are excited to offer the newest, most effective and most comfortable form of medical grade skin microdermabrasion. Vibradermabrasion is performed using a paddle the vibrates 200 times a second and is massaged slowly over any skin surface. It does not cause bruising, discomfort and discoloration like traditional crystal microdermabrasion. It is a medical grade skin resurfacing procedure and can be performed only in a doctor’s office. Studies have shown that Vibraderm® can stimulate your skin to produce more collagen to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and create smoother and more youthful skin. It can be done on the face, neck, decollete, back, hands, feet or anywhere smoother skin is desired. >> More Information
SkinMedica®
SkinMedica®, believes everyone deserves to have naturally radiant skin. That’s why they have dedicated years of research to formulating advanced skin care products that rejuvenate skin. Their entire aesthetic product line is based on the science of the skin’s own healing abilities. As skin ages, elasticity decreases, lines appear and overall appearance is diminished. To counteract the effects of time, our skin care products contain restorative ingredients that work below the skin’s surface to regenerate the health of the skin. Their scientifically proven recovery compounds include essential ingredients ranging from vitamins C and E to retinol to TNS®, their patented blend of growth factors, soluble collagen, antioxidants and matrix proteins. The impact is clear – fine lines are reduced, age spots and discoloration fade, and skin texture and elasticity is improved. >> More Information/Products
Laser Treatments
Laser Hair Removal
Put away the razor and tweezers! Unwanted hair can be removed for the long term with the highly advanced Cutera excel HR™ laser!
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Bring out your youthful side with this advanced procedure! Using the Cutera excel HR™, say goodbye to older-looking skin and say hello to a younger-looking you!
Laser Vein and Pigmentation Removal
Undesired veins or freckles? No problem! The highly advanced Cutera excel HR™ laser technology can help bring balance and radiance to your skin tone!
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.