What To Know About Chemical Peel Pm Chemical peels dissolve the adhesions that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be rinsed away more easily during the exfoliation process. This procedure helps to balance out your skin tone and eliminate any blemishes you may have. Peels are particularly popular in the cosmetic world. They are often used by celebrities in a bid to keep their youthful looks. But what exactly is a chemical peel and how should you go about getting one? Here is some information about this popular treatment, including what you can expect from it before, during and after the procedure. Read on to learn more chemical peel benefits and chemical peel at home. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. A light chemical peel improves skin texture and tone and lessens the appearance of fine wrinkles. The results are subtle but increase with repeated treatments. If you have a medium chemical peel, treated skin will be noticeably smoother. 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: 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. 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. Related 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. 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. 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. 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. The years of active breakouts may be behind you, but breaking up with acne is hard to do. Pimples may disappear, but all too often they leave behind an unfriendly reminder of their visit — acne scars. Acne scars detract from your overall complexion, making many adults feel self-conscious about the way they look. Acne scars are stubborn, and home remedies, like over-the-counter bleaching agents, won’t do the trick. The good news is that acne scars are now treatable. At Dontage Premier Aesthetic Anti-Aging Specialists in Falls Church, Virginia, we understand the frustration acne scars bring. Skin care specialist Waseem Garbia, PA-C, and his medical team provide warm, personalized care that’s customized to meet your unique skin care needs. If you’re like most people with acne scars, you’ve done your research and know two top treatments that work to reduce facial scarring are chemical peels and microneedling. But it’s hard to know which is better for acne scars. Read on to understand the difference between chemical peels and microneedling, and figure out which is better for your acne scars. A chemical peel resurfaces your skin through the use of a chemical solutions applied to the skin. As the chemicals react on your skin, they exfoliate the top layer, causing it to eventually peel off, leaving room for new, smoother skin to grow. There are three basic types of chemical peel treatments, and each type has different effects and different time required to heal. The choice of peel depends on the results you’re seeking. Superficial peels use a milder acid and generally work best on mild discoloration. Medium-level peels penetrate the outer and middle layers of skin to lessen the appearance of imperfections, such as age spots and wrinkles. Deep chemical peels penetrate far into the middle layers and remove damaged skin cells for more dramatic results. Waseem and the team at Dontage will evaluate your skin to ensure you receive the best peel for your unique needs. Microneedling uses tiny needles to micro-puncture the skin. This nonsurgical procedure works by increasing collagen production in the punctured areas. Collagen, a naturally-occurring protein made by the body, is the key ingredient in keeping your skin looking young, firm, and smooth. As we age, collagen production naturally declines. In addition, collagen production can be prematurely stunted when the skin is injured and then scarred, as with scars caused by acne. Microneedling is safe to use on all skin types and is a safe and effective way to treat scars and other skin imperfections like wrinkles, sun spots, large pores, and more. Most patients find it to be pain free and experience dramatic results. Microneedling isn’t a one-and-done treatment, however. Multiple treatments are generally required for optimal results. Waseem will evaluate your skin and recommend the right number of treatments for you. Most patients receive between 4-6 treatments, but each patient’s needs are different. Both chemical peels and microneedling will improve the appearance of your skin. Chemical peels generally work best on superficial imperfections, while microneedling penetrates deeper to improve more troublesome issues. Many people with acne scars find a combination of microneedling and chemical peels deliver the best results. Microneedling will reach deeper under the skin to promote healing of scarred areas. Once the microneedling treatments are complete, a chemical peel can rejuvenate your skin further, leaving you with clearer, younger-looking skin. No one treatment fits everyone’s needs. It’s important to meet with skincare professionals, like Waseem and the team at Dontage, to determine which is best for you. A chemical peel is a higher strength skin exfoliant with a pH that’s generally around 2.0. When most people think about chemical exfoliation, they’re probably familiar with the lower strength stuff like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA, or the COSRX BHA (my personal favorite). These types of exfoliants differ from chemical peels for two reasons: When you’re looking at which chemical peels to buy, make sure your chemical peels have a pH of around 2.0. When the pH of a solution is at 2.0 or below, it means the entire percentage of that acid in the product is “free” to exfoliate your skin. However, when the pH is even slightly raised, less of that product will actually work. For example, say we have a 5 percent salicylic acid product with a pH of 2.0 — that 5 percent would be completely “free” to work its exfoliating magic. But when the pH of that salicylic acid is raised slightly, less of that 5 percent is actually active. If you want the full effect of the chemical peel, then make sure your product has a pH of around 2.0. If all that’s a little confusing, just know that a chemical peel is simply a stronger version of over-the-counter chemical exfoliating products, and as such requires a lot of caution when using at home. It makes your skin (and you) sexy! Joking aside, chemical peels have a lot of benefits! These include, but aren’t limited to: In other words, have a problem? There’s a chemical peel out there with your name and solution on it. In terms of strength, there are three varieties: Also known as “lunchtime peels” — because they involve little to no downtime — superficial peels penetrate minimally, exfoliate gently, and are best suited for mild skin problems like minor discoloration or rough texture. Examples: Peels using mandelic, lactic, and low-strength salicylic acid normally fall under this category. These penetrate more deeply (middle layer of skin), target damaged skin cells, and are best suited for moderate skin problems like superficial scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, and troublesome discoloration, like melasma or age spots. Medium peels have even been used in the treatment of precancerous skin growths. Examples: High-percentage glycolic acid, Jessner, and TCA peels fall under this category. As the name implies, these penetrate the middle layer of skin very deeply. They target damaged skin cells, moderate to severe scarring, deep wrinkles, and skin discoloration. Examples: High-percentage TCA and phenol chemical peels fall under this category. However, you should never do a deep peel at home. Save that for the top-of-the-line professionals. Most skin peels done at home will fall into the superficial category. Extreme caution should be taken with medium-strength peels. In terms of ingredients, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Because we’re all about simplicity here, here’s a list of common chemical peels, listed from weakest to strongest, with quick summaries of what they do. This is the lightest peel of the bunch and is considered a “natural” option because it’s a fruit derivative. It’s especially great for people with sensitive skin or people who can’t tolerate acids. But unlike alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), it doesn’t actually increase cellular turnover. Instead, enzyme peels work to remove dead skin and refine pores in a way that doesn’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Was this helpful? Mandelic acid improves texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. It’s beneficial for acne and helps hyperpigmentation without the irritation or erythema (redness) that glycolic acid can induce. It’s more effective on your skin than glycolic acid when used in combination with salicylic acid. Was this helpful? Lactic acid is another good starting peel because it’s considered lightweight and gentle. It smooths skin, provides a glow, helps with minor wrinkles, and is better than glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and general skin discolorations. In addition, it’s more hydrating. Was this helpful? This is by far one of best peels for treating acne. It’s oil-soluble, meaning it’ll effectively get into the crooks and crannies of pores to dissolve any congestion and debris. Unlike glycolic acid and other AHAs, salicylic acid doesn’t increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which could in turn lead to UV-induced erythema. In addition to treating acne, it’s great for: Ready to take the first step in reducing the appearance of acne scars? Contact Waseem and the team at Dontage by phone or request an appointment online today. Acne is difficult to overcome. Even after the pimples have disappeared, scars often remain a bitter reminder that we once suffered from this affliction. These scars cause the skin to look uneven, which in turn can lead to many insecurities. Home remedies or whitening creams usually do not work, so it is necessary to resort to professional dermatological treatments. Professionals recommend treatments such as chemical peelings and micro-needling to eliminate these marks on the skin. These treatments are highly beneficial both in combination and separately. The question is, can you do a chemical peeling after micro-needling? Keep reading to find out, but first, we will explain both processes separately. Microneedling is a non-surgical procedure in which the skin receives small punctures with the help of a radiofrequency device with microscopic needles or tools like derma-rollers and derma-pens. This treatment is painless, and the micro-punctures heal almost instantly. In microneedling, the punctures are made at the superficial level of the skin to stimulate and raise collagen production and increase elasticity in those specific areas. That promotes rejuvenation and reduction of scars, expression lines, flaccidity, and sunspots, resulting in a firmer, smoother, and younger appearance. This treatment works on all skin types safely and with optimal results. Note that a single session is not enough, and the number of treatments required may vary for each patient, although usually between 3 and 6 sessions are performed. Even so, results show from the first session. Chemical peeling is a non-surgical procedure that consists of applying a chemical agent directly on the skin in the face, neck, and other body parts. With this powerful treatment, dead cells are exfoliated to stimulate new cells that will give the skin a smoother and younger appearance. Chemical peels use a solution that “peels off” the top layers of the skin to improve its texture and appearance while diminishing acne marks, wrinkles, sun damage, blemishes, and redness. There are superficial, medium, and deep peels, each indicated depending on the desired effect. All of them have a different healing time, and their application will depend on the evaluation of a dermatologist for each patient. Absolutely. Combining both techniques will improve the appearance of the skin internally and externally. It is recommended to perform the chemical peel first as this removes all the dead and old layers of skin. After about 4 to 6 weeks, when the skin have recovered from the peeling, you can start micro-needling sessions to finish improving the most problematic areas. Some people who have suffered from very severe acne do the treatment in reverse, attending the micro-needling sessions first to start the collagen production. That way, when the deep peeling is done, the skin heals better and has a more even tone. In either case, it is essential to consult with certified skincare professionals who will recommend the ideal treatments to give your skin the aspect you have always wanted.What To Know About Chemical Peel Pm
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
Before You Get a Chemical Peel
How Chemical Peels Are Done
What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
Possible Complications
Chemical Peel Benefits
IN THIS ARTICLE
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel?
Before You Get a Chemical Peel
How Chemical Peels Are Done
What To Expect After the Chemical Peel
Possible Complications
WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?
WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?
WHICH IS BETTER FOR ACNE SCARS?
Chemical Peel At Home
What does a chemical peel do?
Types of chemical peels and recommendations
1. Superficial peels
2. Medium peels
3. Deep peel
What kind of chemical peel ingredient should I buy?
Enzyme peels
Enzyme peel products
Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid products
Lactic acid
Lactic acid products
Salicylic acid
Microneedling and chemical peel same day
What is micro-needling, and how does it work?
What is a chemical peeling, and how does it work?
Can you do a chemical peeling after micro-needling?