Chemical peels are a safe, proven and easier at-home treatment. Chemical peels can help you to improve your skin’s tone and texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, address acne scarring and even help you to eliminate dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation. A chemical peel is a great way to get the results you want without having to undergo the more invasive procedures like laser treatments or dermabrasion that could leave your complexion both red and sensitive for several days after it is done.
What is electrolysis? While laser hair removal uses light energy to remove hair area by area, electrolysis uses electric currents and targets one hair follicle at a time. “A very fine thin needle is placed in the opening of the hair follicle, where heat and chemical energy destroy hair cells,” explains Dr. Henry.
Read on to learn more about Is Chemical Peel Painful, Is Chemical Peel Good For Your Skin? and Benefits Of Chemical Peel
Is Chemical Peel Painful
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to hide your face after receiving a chemical peel in huntersville north carolina. There are various types of chemical peels available, however, there is no need to hide out after you receive a peel. Chemical Peels use advanced formulas which not only provide controlled penetration throughout the epidermis, but also help to detoxify, soothe and hydrate your skin. This helps ensure your skin is will extremely red or uncomfortable after treatment.
The recovery time for chemical peel is quite short. Most patients can immediately return to their daily routines and activities.
Chemical peels cause patients minimal pain. While you may experience a slight tingling, tightness, or a change in the temperature of your skin, chemical peels are not painful. The provider will monitor your reaction to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
While patients should not feel pain during or after the procedure, the peel may cause the skin to have temporarily increased sensitivity. To avoid irritation or discomfort on your skin, avoid exfoliating for at least 48 hours following a chemical peel. Avoid rigorous activities for at least 24 hours and drink plenty of water. This will help protect your skin and extend the incredible post-treatment results.
Patients do not need to take time off work following a chemical peel. In the past, the chemical peel recovery time was lengthy and patients needed to take time off work for their skin to heal. Fortunately, these formulas are a thing of the past and are no longer used. Modern chemical peels coax the skin into the desired form rather than injure it. This is done with the use of an advance acid-hybrid formula which is strong, safe and effective.
A chemical peel will give you skin which is smoother, brighter, firmer and more hydrated without any downtime or the need to take time off work. Patients can immediately return to work following a chemical peel.
Chemical peels do more than just peel the skin. Chemical peels which use modern formulas include a combination of multiple exfoliating acids such as glycolic, lactic, and fruit acids. These chemicals work by tightening the skin, unclogging pores, improving fine lines, and leaving skin with a velvet-like soft texture. In addition, some chemical formulas help to remove the skin’s impurities, pollution and heavy metals to ultimately detoxify the skin.
Chemical peels can be used to help address the following skin issues on your face, neck, or hands:
- Improve a rough or uneven skin texture
- Treat blackheads, whiteheads and some types of acne
- Reduce breakouts
- Help with the appearance of mild scars
- Treat wrinkles from aging and sun damage
- Reduce aging spots, freckles, and dark patches from pregnancy or birth control
- Severely dry skin
- Improve the overall appearance and feeling of the skin
There are numerous benefits patients receive from chemical peels.
The skin does not always flake and peel off after a chemical peel. The flaking and peeling, which should be minimal, can usually be managed by using a good moisturizer.
Immediately following a chemical peel, the skin has an increased sensitivity to the sun. It is important to wear sunscreen daily and protect the skin against the harmful sun. Sun screen should be labeled as “broad-spectrum”, which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. It should also be at least a SPF 30 or higher. Limit time spent in the sun, particularly between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help protect your face from the harmful rays.
Is Chemical Peel Good For Your Skin?
A chemical peel at Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery is a procedure used to resurface the skin where a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin which grows back following the chemical peel is more youthful looking and smoother.
Chemical peels are often used on the face to treat wrinkles, skin discoloration and scars. The procedure can be done alone or in addition to other cosmetic procedures.
Chemical peels can be performed at three different depths: light, medium and deep. The depth used will vary based on your desired outcome and the condition of your skin. A different chemical solution is used for each type of chemical peel. While the deeper chemical peels produce more noticeable results, they also require a longer recovery time.
Chemical peels are used to treat various skin issues. Based on the various skin issues you are working to address, one of following three depths will be used for the procedure:
- Light:Light or superficial chemical peels remove the outer layer of skin or the epidermis. This treatment can be used to improve fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dry skin. Light chemical peels can be performed every two to five weeks.
- Medium:Medium chemical peels remove skin cells from the epidermis in addition to portions of the upper part of the middle layer of skin or the dermis. A medium chemical peel is used to treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone. Patients can repeat a medium chemical peel after three to nine months to maintain their desired results.
- Deep: A deep chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from parts of the mid to lower layers of the dermis. A doctor may recommend a deep chemical peel for patients who have deeper wrinkles, scars or precancerous growths. Deep chemical peels can only be performed one time.
The following is a summary of potential risks and side effects associated with chemical peels:
- Redness:The normal healing process after a chemical peel includes some redness on the treated area. Following a medium or deep chemical peel, the redness can last for a few months.
- Scarring:While it is rare, a chemical peel can result in scarring. This typically occurs on the lower portion of the face. Steroid medications and antibiotics can be used to minimize the appearance of these scars.
- Skin color changes:Chemical peels can also cause the treated skin to become darker than normal which is referred to as hyperpigmentation. The procedure can also cause the skin to become lighter than normal or hypopigmentation. After a superficial peel, hyperpigmentation is more common, while hypopigmentation occurs more often after a deep peel. It is more common for people who have darker skin to experience changes in their skin color and the change can be permanent.
- Infection:It is possible for a chemical peel to cause a flare-up of the herpes virus which causes cold sores. In rare cases, a chemical peel can lead to a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Heart, kidney or liver damage:Deep chemical peels use carbolic acid or phenol, which can cause damage to the heart muscle and also cause an irregular heartbeat. Phenol can also injure the kidneys and liver. To minimize a patient’s exposure to phenol, deep chemical peels are completed in 10 to 20-minute intervals.
It is not possible for chemical peels to decrease the size of your pores, eliminate deep scars or deep wrinkles.
Not all patients are good candidates for chemical peels. Your doctor may advise against getting a chemical peel if any of the following conditions apply:
- Taking acne medication isotretinoin such as Amnesteem or Claravis within the past six months
- Dark complexion
- A personal history of keloids or ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue
- Abnormal skin pigmentation
- History of frequent or severe cold sore outbreaks
Follow up with a doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for a chemical peel to improve the appearance of your skin.
Benefits Of Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are used to improve the appearance of your skin. A chemical solution is applied to the skin which ultimately makes it blister and peel off. The new skin is typically smoother and has a smoother and more youthful appearance.
A chemical peel can be performed on your face, neck, or hands with the following goals:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and near the mouth
- Treat wrinkles from aging and sun damage
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat some types of acne
- Reduce aging spots, freckles, and dark patches from pregnancy or birth control
- Improve the overall appearance and feeling of the skin
Following a chemical peel, the skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun. It is important to wear sunscreen daily. The sun screen should be “broad-spectrum”, meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays and be at least SPF 30 or higher. Limit time spent in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Patients should wear a wide-brimmed hat to help protect your face from the harmful sun rays.
Chemical Peel Candidates
Generally, patients with fair-skin and lighter-hair are better candidates for chemical peels. Patients with darker skin can also have good results, but are also more likely to have an uneven skin tone after the procedure.
Chemical peels do not work well to treat sagging skin, bulges, and severe wrinkles. Other cosmetic surgical procedures such as laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler may work better for these conditions. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologic surgeon to discuss the best type of treatment for your skin.
Chemical Peel Procedure
Chemical peels can be performed in a doctor’s office or in a surgical center. The procedure is considered outpatient so you will be able to go home the same day.
Your skin will be cleansed thoroughly before the procedure begins. The doctor will then apply at least once chemical solutions such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid or phenol. The chemical will be applied to small areas of your skin. A controlled wound is created where the new skin will regrow.
Most people feel a burning sensation during the procedure which should only last five to ten minutes. This is followed by a stinging sensation. A cool compresses can be placed on the skin to help ease the discomfort. A pain medication may be used for a deeper peel.
Chemical Peel Recovery
Depending upon the type of chemical peel you receive (light, medium or deep), your skin will react in a similar way to a sunburn. The peeling usually involves redness which is followed by scaling which usually lasts for a few days to a week. Mild peels can be repeated after two to five weeks to maintain your desired results.
Medium and deep chemical peels may result in some swelling or blisters which can break, crust, turn brown, and peel off. This process usually takes place over one to two weeks. Medium peels can be repeated after three to nine months. Deep peels should only be performed once.
It is important to avoid or protect your new skin from the sun for several months after a chemical peel as the skin is quite fragile.
Potential Complications
People with a darker skin tone are more likely to develop a temporary or permanent color change following a chemical peel. There is also a low change of scarring some areas of the face. If scarring does occur, it is typically treated using antibiotics or a steroid.
For people who have a history of herpes outbreaks, there is a minor risk of reactivating cold sores. Your doctor can prescribe a medication to help prevent or treat the cold sores.