CosmeticsEnvogue

COSMETICS ENVOGUE

How Long Does The Chemical Peel Last

How Long Does The Chemical Peel Last

A light, or superficial, peel produces results that usually last between one and two months. A medium peel’s results will last between two and six months, and the results of a deep peel last forever.

Although the results of treatment usually last between one and two months after your skin is done peeling, you may need treatment as regularly as biweekly if you have frequent acne breakouts or chronically dry skin. read more on how long does the chemical peel last for wrinkles and how long does a chemical peel take to heal.

How Long Does The Chemical Peel Last

How Long Does The Chemical Peel Last

From a medium peel, you can expect results that are far more dramatic than the results provided by a superficial peel. The acids used in this peel remove skin cells from the epidermis, just like the much milder acids used in light chemical peels.

This powerful, convenient treatment results in the removal of acne scars, moderate wrinkles, and moderate-to-severe hyperpigmentation.

After several sessions, once the acne scars are removed completely, the results are permanent. However, you may need follow-up sessions two to six times annually to maintain a smooth, wrinkle-free complexion.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM A DEEP PEEL

Deep peels are used to address such serious cosmetic and medical concerns as precancerous growths, several types of scars, and severe wrinkles. Again, the treatment of wrinkles isn’t permanent. Eventually, you will need further treatment for deep wrinkles, such as Juvederm. However, once scars are removed, they will not come back.

Keep in mind, due to the intense nature of the chemicals used for a deep peel, you can only receive one session in your life. If you develop cosmetic concerns in the future, you will need to come back for a light or medium peel or alternative treatment.

Also, note that no treatment yet exists for boxcar scars. However, we can remove virtually every other type of scar, including surgical scars and scars resulting from a traumatic injury.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE TREATMENT? 

Your experience during your treatment session depends primarily on the strength of the peel you need to achieve your desired results.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SUPERFICIAL PEEL

By far, the superficial peel is the easiest peel to receive due to the gentle nature of the acids used. During a superficial chemical peel, the chemical solution, comprising both glycolic acid and salicylic acid, is applied to your skin using a cotton ball.

At this point, the treated skin begins to whiten. You will feel the acid start to “burn” your skin, but you will not experience pain. Afterward, we will wash the chemical solution from your skin with a neutralizing solution.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MEDIUM PEEL

A medium peel is very similar to a superficial peel. The most significant difference between these two treatments is the acids used in the chemical solution.

As with the superficial peel, the treated area will begin to whiten immediately and you will feel the solution affecting your skin. You may also request to use a hand-held fan, but most of our clients find this to be unnecessary.

Since there is no need for sedation or anesthesia, you can tell us at any point if you need a break and a cold compress.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A DEEP PEEL

Since the acids used to perform a deep chemical peel are so intense, and they affect the skin so deeply, a deep chemical peel is pretty different from a superficial or medium chemical peel. You can expect to take several breaks during your treatment session.

During these times, your skin will be cooled with a small fan directed at the treatment area. You will also be given intravenous fluids and we will monitor your pulse closely throughout your treatment.

While most people’s skin turns white, it’s not unusual for the skin to turn gray. This treatment is performed in 15-minute intervals with periods of cooling and soothing the skin. If you are targeting your entire face, you can expect your treatment session to last around 90 minutes.

HOW LONG DOES THE PEELING PROCESS LAST

The peeling process typically starts within two to three days of your peel.

However, we’d like to reiterate that individual results vary based on a number of factors, including how well you follow post-treatment instructions.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T PICK AT PEELING SKIN

One of the most frequently asked questions we get regarding a chemical peel is will picking at my peeling skin help me see results faster. The answer is a resounding no. Picking at your peeling skin will not speed up your skin’s natural peeling process, and it is very risky.

It is so risky, in fact, that we encourage each of our clients to do their utmost to not touch their face with their fingers until the peeling process is complete. There are several things that can happen if you pick at peeling facial skin. The most common result of such an action is severe acne breakouts.

Even if you wash your hands regularly, the skin on your hands has oil that can trigger severe acne breakouts. Furthermore, there is a chance that your fingertips will transfer an irritant that will trigger a painful infection. Do yourself a favor and make a conscious effort to not touch your face with your bare hands.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER TREATMENT

After your chemical peel, it is crucial that you keep your skin hydrated without moisturizing excessively. If you have dry skin, it’s okay to moisturize twice daily. Most people with dry skin who receive a chemical peel choose to moisturize their facial skin right before work and shortly before bed.

If your skin is defined as normal or oily, you should only moisturize your skin once daily. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of what to do and what to avoid after your treatment if we determine that you are a good candidate.

However, we will touch on another important post-treatment care step now. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to your face every four hours after washing your hands very thoroughly. This is the only time you should touch your face with your fingertips.

WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID AFTER TREATMENT

When you are moisturizing your skin, it is crucial to avoid any moisturizer that can irritate your skin. Even if you are only mildly allergic to an ingredient in a moisturizer, you may experience discomfort if you use a harsh or irritating moisturizer in the days leading up to and during the skin peeling process. Avoid scented moisturizers, and opt for something gentle and hypoallergenic, like Aquaphor or Vaseline.

When you wash your face after treatment, make sure you’re using cool water. You should wash with cool water until your skin is done peeling, as your skin may be slightly sensitive to cold or hot water.

Again, make sure you’re not using any face soap with unnecessary chemicals, such as aromas. Instead, opt for a plain, unscented face soap. If you’re not sure if you’re allergic or sensitive to a chemical, ask your dermatologist for advice. You may need to take an allergy test.

How Long Does A Chemical Peel Take To Heal

A chemical peel is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin that grows back is smoother. With a light or medium peel, you may need to undergo the procedure more than once to get the desired results.

Chemical peels are used to treat wrinkles, discolored skin and scars — usually on the face. They can be done alone or combined with other cosmetic procedures. And they can be done at different depths, from light to deep. Deeper chemical peels offer more-dramatic results but also take longer to recover from.

Products & Services

Show more products from Mayo Clinic

Why it’s done

A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure. Depending on the issues you’re addressing with the procedure, you’ll choose a chemical peel in one of three depths:

  • Light chemical peel. A light (superficial) chemical peel removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis). It’s used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dryness. You might have a light peel every two to five weeks.
  • Medium chemical peel. A medium chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It’s used to treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone. You might need to repeat the procedure to achieve or maintain the desired result.
  • Deep chemical peel. A deep chemical peel removes skin cells even deeper. Your doctor might recommend one for deeper wrinkles, scars or precancerous growths. You won’t need repeat procedures to get the full effect.

Chemical peels can’t remove deep scars or wrinkles or tighten sagging skin.

Risks

A chemical peel can cause various side effects, including:

  • Redness, scabbing and swelling. Normal healing from a chemical peel involves redness of the treated skin. After a medium or deep chemical peel, redness might last for a few months.
  • Scarring. Rarely, a chemical peel can cause scarring — typically on the lower part of the face. Antibiotics and steroid medications can be used to soften the appearance of these scars.
  • Changes in skin color. A chemical peel can cause treated skin to become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation) or lighter than normal (hypopigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is more common after superficial peels, while hypopigmentation is more common after a deep peel. These problems are more common in people with brown or black skin and can sometimes be permanent.
  • Infection. A chemical peel can lead to a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, such as a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores.
  • Heart, kidney or liver damage. A deep chemical peel uses carbolic acid (phenol), which can damage heart muscle and cause the heart to beat irregularly. Phenol can also harm the kidneys and liver. To limit exposure to phenol, a deep chemical peel is done a portion at a time, in 10- to 20-minute intervals.

A chemical peel isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against a chemical peel or certain types of chemical peels if you:

  • Have taken the oral acne medication isotretinoin (Myorisan, Claravis, others) in the past six months
  • Have a personal or family history of ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
  • Are pregnant
  • Have frequent or severe outbreaks of cold sores

How you prepare

Choose a doctor with knowledge of the skin and procedure — a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon. Results can be variable and depend on the expertise of the person doing the peel. Improperly done, a chemical peel can result in complications, including infection and permanent scars.

Before you have a chemical peel, your doctor will likely:

  • Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you are taking or have taken recently, as well as any cosmetic procedures you’ve had.
  • Do a physical exam. Your doctor will inspect your skin and the area to be treated to determine what type of peel you might benefit from most and how your physical features — for example, the tone and thickness of your skin — might affect your results.
  • Discuss your expectations. Talk with your doctor about your motivations, expectations and potential risks. Make sure you understand how many treatments you might need, how long it’ll take to heal and what your results might be.

Before your peel, you might also need to:

  • Take antiviral medication. Your doctor might prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to help prevent a viral infection.
  • Use a retinoid cream. Your doctor might recommend using a retinoid cream, such as tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A) for a few weeks before treatment to help with healing.
  • Use a bleaching agent. Your doctor might recommend using a bleaching agent (hydroquinone), a retinoid cream, or both before or after the procedure to reduce the risk of side effects.
  • Avoid unprotected sun exposure. Too much sun exposure before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your doctor.
  • Avoid certain cosmetic treatments and certain types of hair removal. About a week before the peel, stop using hair removal techniques such as electrolysis or depilatories. Also, avoid hair dying treatments, permanent-wave or hair-straightening treatments, facial masks, or facial scrubs in the week before your peel. Don’t shave the areas that will be treated beginning 24 hours before your peel.
  • Arrange for a ride home. If you’ll be sedated during the procedure, arrange for a ride home.

What you can expect

Before the procedure

A chemical peel is usually done at an office or in an outpatient surgical facility. Before the procedure, your doctor will clean your face, protect your hair, and cover your eyes with ointment, gauze, tape or goggles.

Pain relief isn’t typically needed for a light chemical peel. If you’re having a medium peel, you might receive a sedative and painkiller. For a deep peel, you might have a sedative, something to numb the treatment area and fluids delivered through a vein.

During the procedure

During a light chemical peel:

  • Your doctor will use a brush, cotton ball, gauze or sponge to apply a chemical solution typically containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid. The treated skin will begin to whiten.
  • You might feel mild stinging while the chemical solution is on your skin.
  • Your doctor will apply a neutralizing solution or wash to remove the chemical solution from the treated skin.

During a medium chemical peel:

  • Your doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze to apply a chemical solution containing trichloroacetic acid, sometimes in combination with glycolic acid. The treated skin will begin to whiten.
  • After a few minutes, your doctor will apply cool compresses to soothe treated skin. You might also be given a hand-held fan to cool your skin. No neutralizing solution is needed, however.
  • You might feel stinging and burning for up to 20 minutes.

During a deep chemical peel:

  • You’ll be given intravenous (IV) fluids, and your heart rate will be closely monitored.
  • Your doctor will use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply carbolic acid (phenol) to your skin. Treated skin will begin to turn white or gray.
  • To limit your exposure to phenol, your doctor will do the procedure in portions at about 15-minute intervals. A full-facial procedure might take about 90 minutes.

After the procedure

After a chemical peel of any depth, your skin will be red, tight, irritated or swollen. Follow your doctor’s directions for sun protection, cleansing, moisturizing and applying protective ointments to your skin. And avoid picking, rubbing or scratching your skin. It may take several months before your skin color returns to normal and you can see the full results of the peel.

After a light chemical peel, treated skin will be red, dry and mildly irritated — although these effects might be less noticeable with each repeat treatment. Your doctor might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the skin. You can usually wear makeup the next day if you wish.

Treated areas take about one to seven days to heal after a light chemical peel. New skin might temporarily be lighter or darker than normal.

After a medium chemical peel, treated skin will be red and swollen. You’ll feel stinging. Your doctor might apply a protective ointment, such as petroleum jelly, to soothe the area and prevent dryness. After five to seven days, you can use cosmetics to cover any redness.

Use ice packs for comfort. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), may help reduce any discomfort. You’ll likely schedule a checkup soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing.

As swelling decreases, treated skin will begin to form a crust and might darken or develop brown blotches. 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.

Your doctor will apply a surgical dressing to treated skin. He or she might also prescribe painkillers. You’ll need to soak the treated skin and apply ointment several times a day for about two weeks.

Treated areas will develop new skin within about two weeks after a deep chemical peel, although redness might last for months. Treated skin might become darker or lighter than normal or lose the ability to tan.

You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing from a chemical peel. You’ll likely need several follow-up visits soon after your treatment so that your doctor can monitor your healing.

Once new skin completely covers the treated area in about two weeks, you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness. Use sunscreen every day.

chemical peel lafayette la

How Long Does The Chemical Peel Last For Wrinkles

Younger-looking, blemish-free skin can give your confidence and your mood a boost. While everyone experiences signs of aging, such as fine lines, age spots, and complexion dullness, Chemical Peel Lafayette LA treatments can have a rejuvenating effect on your skin. At Allure Enhancement Center in Lafayette, LA, we offer three types of chemical peel that will give a new lease of life to your skin.

Chemical skin treatments are a popular option for managing signs of aging like fine lines and skin discoloration. One question we frequently get asked is how long you can expect peel results to last. We’ll take you through some information about the services we offer and how long the results stay visible.

How Long Does a Chemical Peel Last?

The results of a chemical peel Lafayette LA skin treatment vary depending on which type of peel you choose. This largely depends on the amount of damage that your skin has undergone and what aging signs you want to be treated for. For instance, someone with advanced scarring or pronounced age spots may want to opt for a deep-level treatment. Meanwhile, someone who just wants a light treatment for rough or dull-looking skin can choose a much milder peel solution.

Based on the type of treatment you choose peel results can last for one to two months or for the rest of your life. Milder peels usually last for around four to eight weeks but may be used more frequently to treat chronic skin conditions. For a deep peel, most clinicians would expect results to be lifelong or extremely long-lasting. Deep peels fundamentally alter the surface of the skin texture, leading to the most dramatic changes.

What Is a Skin Peel Treatment?

Perhaps you’re considering a skin rejuvenation treatment and do not know what a skin peel involves. There are several important things you should think about before choosing the right skin peel for you.

During a chemical peel, clients will have a chemical solution applied to their faces.

What Type of Peel Should I Choose?

Superficial Skin Peel

The mildest type of skin peel is referred to as a superficial peel. A superficial peel exfoliates the top layer of skin, or the epidermis, removing dead skin cells and freshening the skin’s surface texture. Superficial peels are a good option if you want to treat discolored skin or bring some new life to dull-looking or chronically dry skin. You can also use a superficial peel to temporarily treat mild wrinkles or rosacea.

Results from a superficial peel will usually last between one to two months. You may want to repeat the treatment semi-regularly. However, superficial peels can also be a great one-off treatment if you want to look fresh for an event or just enjoy the temporary rejuvenating effects.

Medium Skin Peel

A medium skin peel treatment is also a good option if you want to treat fine lines or mild wrinkles. However, while a superficial peel only affects the epidermis, a medium peel will have more dramatic results. This is because a medium peel uses a stronger solution and causes both the epidermis and the deeper, middle layer of skin (the dermis) to peel.

Due to its more radical effects, a medium peel will last longer and is also effective for treating moderate wrinkles or mild facial scarring, such as acne scars. Medium peels are also used to treat age spots or moderate levels of skin discoloration. The effects of a medium skin peel treatment are usually expected to last between two and six months.

Deep Peel

A deep peel is a one-off facial treatment that is used to remove scars and temporarily minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles. Although wrinkles will ultimately return and will require alternative treatments, you can expect peel results to be long-lasting and dramatic. Deep peels can also be used to permanently remove severe skin pigmentation issues.

A deep peel requires the use of a strong chemical solution that removes both the outer and middle layers of dead skin. Due to the strength of the solution required, you can only have a single deep peel treatment in your life. However, results will usually drastically alter your appearance and can make a big difference in terms of reducing and minimizing wrinkles and signs of aging. You can also usually receive milder peel treatments once your skin has healed.

Who Can Consider Chemical Skin Treatments?

. However, so long as you have no known skin conditions, anyone who wants to reduce signs of aging can consider a skin peel treatment.

When Will I See Results After a Skin Peel Treatment?

During your skin peel treatment, most clients notice that their skin turns white and may feel warm as the agent is applied. Cooling treatments can be used to minimize discomfort during the session.

Most people will notice that their skin starts to peel after around two to three days. However, this may vary depending on your unique skin type. It is also very important that you carefully follow any post-treatment regimen that your treatment provider recommends. This will help ensure that your peel and recovery follow the prescribed course and give you the best results possible.

What Will My Recovery Involve?

Post-treatment care will usually involve moisturizing your skin with products that our healthcare provider can recommend and, potentially, wearing sunscreen if you are out and about.

It is also vital that you do not pick at or scratch your skin during the healing process. Picking your skin will not speed up the results of the peel or help the skin to heal and rejuvenate faster. Picking at your skin after a chemical peel is risky because you may have dirt or oil on your fingers, which could lead to an infection. Scratching your skin can also cause acne breakouts, which can be painful and cause scarring.

Why Consider a Chemical Peel?

A skin peel treatment can be a great way to bring some new life into your skin. It can be used alongside anti-wrinkle treatments, such as Dermal Fillers or treatments for loose. Used in combination with these other treatments, peels can give your face an all-around youthful look, which includes fresh, glowing skin and a firmer, more supple facial appearance.

Peel treatments are also excellent in isolation if you want clearer skin and a reduction in visible aging signs or moderate scarring. This can help boost your confidence and help you look as young as you feel on the inside. Peel treatments are also non-invasive and do not require long appointments at our clinic, although there is some recovery time associated with this treatment.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top