Is Chemical Peel Benefit?The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be reduced and the skin’s texture and tone enhanced with a mild chemical peel. The effects are barely noticeable at first, but they gradually improve over time. Medium chemical peels result in visibly smoother skin. 2
Chemical peels are an effective method of removing the outer layer of skin and revealing younger, healthier skin below. Acids are used in this procedure to dissolve the dead, damaged skin cells that have built up over time. In addition to diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, chemical peels can eliminate dark spots, fade scars, and even out the texture of uneven skin.
Chemical peels are a very common type of facial peel that can be used to treat many different kinds of skin conditions like wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and fine lines and other signs of aging. The chemical is capable of getting rid by dissolving the outer layer of cells from the epidermal layer, so it could open up your pores for better skin exfoliation. Read on to learn more on chemical peel recovery time/chemical peeling treatment.
Is Chemical Peel Benefit
A chemical peel is a restorative cosmetic procedure that may help reduce the signs of aging on your face.
During a chemical peel, a dermatologist will apply a chemical solution to your skin. This solution peels away damaged skin cells, allowing healthy skin to grow in their place.
This may help improve common skin concerns, such as:
- wrinkles
- hyperpigmentation
- acne
- uneven skin texture
However, the exact results will depend on many factors, including the severity of your skin issues and the type of peel you receive.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of chemical peels, their benefits, and what to expect during recovery.
What to know about different types of chemical peels
Your dermatologist can work with you to help determine whether a light, medium, or deep chemical peel is best for your skin and the concerns you’re looking to treat.
Light chemical peel
A light chemical peel, or superficial peel, will lightly exfoliate your skin. It only removes the epidermis, which is your topmost skin layer.
A light chemical peel is usually used for:
- fine wrinkles
- uneven skin tone
- acne
- dry skin
This treatment uses mild chemical agents, so it’s usually safe to get light chemical peels every 2 to 5 weeks.
Medium chemical peel
A medium chemical peel is slightly stronger than a light peel. It removes your epidermis plus the top layer of your dermis, which lies beneath the epidermis.
A medium peel is typically used for:
- wrinkles
- uneven skin tone
- acne scars
You may need several treatments to get the results you want.
Deep chemical peel
A deep chemical peel removes your epidermis, along with the upper and middle layer of your dermis. It uses very strong chemicals, so you may need a local anesthetic before the procedure. This will help prevent pain and discomfort.
A deep chemical peel is best suited for:
- deeper wrinkles
- deeper scars
- precancerous skin patches
The effects of this peel can last for 10 years, so it’s done only once. You won’t need repeated treatments.
What are the benefits?
Chemical peels can improve many skin issues. Let’s look at some of the most common ones that chemical peels may help treat.
Acne
Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition. It’s often treated with topical products or oral medication, but chemical peels may also help.
The procedure can:
- break down comedones (plugged hair follicles)
- decrease oil production
- kill bacteria
- reduce inflammation
- increase absorption of topical treatments
Light and medium chemical peels are usually used to improve acne.
Acne scars
As acne heals, the skin creates new collagen fibers in an attempt to repair lesions that have been created by inflamed skin.
The production of new collagen fibers can create hypertrophic scars, which are bumpy and raised, or atrophic scars, which create depressions in your skin.
A chemical peel can help by exfoliating the top skin layer, which removes excess collagen. Medium chemical peels are typically recommended for acne scars.
Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, swelling, and red bumps. If it also causes acne-like breakouts, it’s known as acne rosacea.
Sometimes, a chemical peel can help relieve these symptoms. It’s typically recommended for mild or moderate rosacea.
Aging skin
Chemical peels may reduce signs of aging, including:
- wrinkles
- fine lines
- age spots
- uneven skin tone
- roughness
- dryness
- liver spots
When skin grows back after a chemical peel, it triggers the production of collagen and elastin. This can help make your skin supple and strong, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
The new skin that grows back is also smoother, which helps decrease roughness and dryness.
Chemical peels aren’t recommended for removing deep wrinkles, however. It also won’t tighten sagging skin.
Hyperpigmentation
In addition to acne scars and age spots, chemical peels can improve other forms of hyperpigmentation, such as:
- uneven skin tone
- melasma
- freckles
- surgical scars
- scars due to injury
- discoloration due to sun damage
Dullness
If you have a dull complexion, you may benefit from chemical peels.
The treatment allows new skin to resurface, which may help your complexion look brighter and healthier.
Precancerous growths
Actinic keratoses are rough skin patches caused by years of sun exposure. They’re known as precancerous growths, since they can potentially turn into skin cancer.
A deep chemical peel can remove these growths and decrease your risk of skin cancer.
Chemical Peel Recovery Time
Treated areas take about seven to 14 days to heal after a medium chemical peel, but redness might last for months. After a deep chemical peel, you’ll experience severe redness and swelling. You’ll also feel burning and throbbing, and the swelling may even make your eyelids swell shut.
In general, you can consider your chemical peel recovery completely over around day 14.
How to Care for Your Skin
Keep up with the prescribed aftercare routine until all peeling stops. Once it does, you can go back to your normal routine more or less, but keep wearing SPF for an additional few weeks. The protective barrier for your skin has been compromised and it’s very susceptible to sun damage.
Your Skin After the Chemical Peel Recovery
Once all of the dead skin is shed, the skin revealed underneath will be smoother, more even in tone, look younger, clearer and glowing. Its texture has been improved.
How significant an improvement you get depends on the intensity of the peel.
Your skin may still look reddish. It may start feeling dry and tight, kind of like a sunburn. Some peels may start flaking as soon as day 2, however most don’t start peeling until day 3.
How to Care for Your Skin
You can apply your moisturizer whenever your skin starts feeling tight. Wash it with cool to lukewarm water as instructed. You will probably be allowed to wear makeup, but check with your practitioner. Wear your SPF.
Day 3 – Peeling Starts
In most cases, this is the point when the skin starts flaking.
If the treated area is the face, the flaking usually starts around the mouth, as this is the part of the face that moves the most and skin starts cracking as a result. It will gradually spread outwards, and may go as far as under your jawline, into your hairline, and some flaking may even occur on your earlobes.
How to Care for Your Skin
The most important thing at this point is not picking at the flakes of skin or pulling at them. The peeling can get quite intense and your skin may slough off in large chunks, but you must refrain from ripping them off. The flakes have to fall off on their own, or you risk discoloration and scarring.
As your skin heals, you may need to apply a protective ointment. You’ll also need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
The recovery process is different for each type of peel. Let’s take a closer look at what recovery may be like for the different chemical peels.
Light chemical peel
After a light chemical peel, you may experience mild irritation and dryness. You can typically wear makeup the following day and resume your normal skin care activities, like cleansing and moisturizing .
It will most likely take between 1 to 7 days for your skin to fully heal.
Medium chemical peel
The most common side effects of a medium chemical peel include:
- swelling
- redness
- stinging
In most cases, you can safely wear makeup within 5 to 7 days.
The recovery process typically lasts 7 to 14 days. You may have some redness for several months, though.
Deep chemical peel
The most common side effects of a deep chemical peel include:
- crusting
- swelling
- severe redness
The swelling can last for 14 days, while the redness may last for 3 months.
It may take up to 14 days for your skin to grow back. During this time, you’ll need to wear a surgical dressing and take medication for the pain.
You can typically start wearing makeup after 14 days.
Although rare, deep chemical peels can be associated with more severe side effects and complications, including:
- infection
- bruising
- delayed wound healing
- reactivation of herpes simplex virus
Chemical Peeling Treatment
A chemical peel is solution applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. The aim is to improve the appearance of the skin – for example, by reducing age spots and evening out skin tone. There are 3 types of peels, called superficial, medium and deep.
Superficial and medium peels are usually safe, as long as they’re done correctly. These type of peels are not permanent and they need to be repeated.
Deeper peels are more risky. They’re longer-lasting and do not usually need to be repeated.
In the UK, chemical peels cost about £60 to £100 for mild peels. Deeper peels may cost more than £500.
What to think about before you have chemical peels
If you’re thinking about having chemical peels, be clear about why you want them.
Choosing a practitioner
Having a chemical peel is usually safe if it’s done by an experienced and suitably qualified practitioner.
Check the person doing your chemical peel is on a register to show they meet set standards in training, skill and insurance.
Avoid practitioners who have only completed a short training course.
Book a consultation with the practitioner before you have the procedure.
Ask about:
- their experience and qualifications
- the type of chemical peel they would recommend for you and why
- any risks or possible side effects
- what aftercare they provide
- what will happen if things go wrong
- what insurance cover they have.
Different types of chemical peels
Superficial peels
- skin cells are removed from the top layer of skin (epidermis)
- the solution is applied to the skin and left on for a few minutes
- your skin may feel tight for a couple of hours afterwards
- regular treatment is needed to maintain the effects
Medium peels
- skin cells are removed from the top and middle layers of skin
- the solution is applied and left on for a few minutes
- you may feel burning or stinging when it’s on your face
- your skin may go brown or red for a few days afterwards
- it can take up to 6 weeks for your skin to return to normal
- treatment is needed every 6 to 12 months to maintain the effects
Deep peels
- affect the deeper layers of skin
- a local anaesthetic and sedative may be needed to numb any pain
- the solution is applied to the face and can be left on for 30 minutes or more
- your heart and blood pressure need to be watched because the chemical used (phenol) can affect your heart and kidneys
- you’ll have some peeling, redness and discomfort for a few days
- swelling can last up to 2 weeks, and redness can last up to 3 months
- often lightens the skin so it’s not really suitable for darker skin
- it has long-lasting effects so does not usually need to be repeated
Risks
Possible risks of chemical peels include:
- darkening or lightening of the skin – this can be permanent
- cold sores returning if you’ve had them before
- scarring or an infection – although this is rare
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun as it heals, so you need to use sunscreen for at least a month after treatment.
Your practitioner should give you advice about how to reduce your risk of getting side effects and complications.
In 2019, Botox topped the list of cosmetic minimally invasive procedures. This was followed by soft tissue filler and chemical peels.
Overall, nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were up 2 percent in women. This comes as no surprise, since these noninvasive procedures are generally more affordable and require less recovery time than surgical ones.
Let’s get into the benefits and limitations of different nonsurgical approaches to facial rejuvenation.
What are the benefits of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments?
Although a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment likely won’t give you the same dramatic results as a surgical facelift, noninvasive procedures can be very effective at targeting:
- wrinkles and deep creases
- loss of facial volume
- skin tone and texture
With that in mind, here are some of the key benefits of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments.
Benefits
- More affordable. Compared with surgical facelifts, nonsurgical or minimally invasive procedures are a fraction of the cost. On average, a surgical facelift costs around $8,000. A Botox treatment costs about $500, and a chemical peel will run you around $550.
- Less recovery time. In general, the recovery time is significantly less. With some procedures, you can be back at work the same day.
- In and out of the doctor’s office quickly. Many nonsurgical treatments take less than an hour to complete.
- Less discomfort. Compared with a surgical procedure, nonsurgical treatments typically have minimal aftercare. In many cases, you can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.
- Fewer risks overall. Because you don’t need general anesthesia or large incisions, fewer risks are typically involved with nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.