What Is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are scientific formulations of acidic chemicals that cause controlled damage to the skin cells in order to make layers of damaged and dead cells peel away. This process is a form of exfoliation and reveals the underlying fresh skin, which is smooth and free of aesthetic issues.
The latest versions of chemical peels do not merely cause the skin to peel off, they also help build collagen and improve the skin tone. There are three basic categories of chemical peel:
• Superficial Peel: These are a mix of mild acids like alpha-hydroxy acids. They infiltrate the outer layer of skin to create mild exfoliation. It can remedy issues like mild skin discoloration and roughness.
• Medium Peel: In this type of chemical peel, glycolic or trichloroacetic acids are used for penetrating both the outer and middle layers of skin to remove the dead and damaged skin cells. Benefits include correction of age spots, wrinkles, freckles, and moderate discoloration.
• Deep Peel: Stronger acids such as trichloroacetic acid and phenol are used for these peels. They infiltrate the deeper middle layers of skin to flush out the dead and damaged skin cells. Removal of moderate lines, age spots, and even shallow scars can be achieved with this. A deep peel will be applied only once and only on the face.
Benefits of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels offer a number of benefits:
• Chemical peels can rejuvenate the skin. As the dead cells are removed by a chemical peel, the living cells grow and the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid increases. All these make the skin look younger.
• These treatments help skin care products work better. The removal of overlying dead cells clears away any obstacles to the penetration of skin care products, allowing them to reach deeper into the skin layers for increased healing.
• Chemical peels are typically safe to be used on all skin types, even darker skin tones, without the risk of hyperpigmentation. Using a mixture of multiple acids in small percentages rather than using a single acid prevent risks of skin irritation.
• Chemical peels can be customized. With the advances in skin care technology, an experienced doctor can prepare a chemical mix based on the specific concerns of the patient.
• Chemical peels are more effective than lasers for acne removal on all skin tones. Also, by using a lighter chemical peel, the chance of any skin flare-ups after acne removal is diminished.
• A chemical peel often costs less than a laser skin treatment while offering similar results.
Customize Your Peel
Contact us to schedule a chemical-peel consultation, where you will be able to customize your peel to achieve your aesthetic needs. Dr. Antonio Gayoso, a board-certified plastic surgeon, will be available to tell you more about the peel process.
