It’s normal to have skin imperfections that you would like to cover or correct. Many dermatological treatments are available to help you address different areas of concern. However, if you are dealing with multiple signs of aging, facial or chemical peels may be the perfect solution. Chemical peels are quite popular today, and patients of all skin types can enjoy the flexibility of selecting a peel that caters to their skin and provides the desired results. If you are considering chemical peels for your skin, it is essential to understand how they work.
What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels refer to a type of skin resurfacing treatment that removes the top layer or layers of your skin to reveal smoother and brighter-looking skin. Chemical peels are highly versatile treatments because they can be customized to meet the needs of a wide range of clients.
Chemical peels are available in different strengths and depths. Strong chemical peels penetrate deeper into your skin’s surface while light chemical peels will treat the outer layers of your skin. Some people may need a very light peel to treat fine wrinkles or minor unevenness, while others may want a deeper peel to treat areas of their skin with more severe wrinkles, scars, or other imperfections.
The Treatment Process
Aging, stress, and sun exposure can leave your skin with blemishes and inconsistencies. A chemical peel breaks down the topmost skin layer to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, scars, hyperpigmentation, and other unwanted flaws.
Chemical peels usually work with the assistance of acids within the peel that raise your skin’s acidity to a pH level of about 3.8. Generally, the skin has a pH of about 5.5, and changing the pH levels chemically loosens the skin cells that bind healthy and dead skin. Loosening this bond causes exfoliation, and the dead skin is removed to reveal healthy skin underneath. The chemical peel process also promotes the growth of healthy, new skin cells.
Generally, a chemical peel treatment may take 30 to 90 minutes to complete. Most deep chemical peels are applied once, while light and medium peels may require repeat applications to produce your desired results. You should expect little or no downtime for light chemical peels, while medium and deep chemical peels may take a few weeks to fully recover from.
It is important to note that deeper chemical peels take longer to recover from, and all chemical peels carry the risk of certain side effects, including swelling, scaring, or hyperpigmentation. Deep chemical peels may also pose risks to the heart, kidney, or liver if not applied correctly. If you are considering a chemical peel. It is important to talk to your doctor about your goals and expectations, as well as the potential risks involved. They can help you select a treatment method to achieve your desired results safely.
What Results Can You Expect After a Chemical Peel?
After your facial peel treatment, you should expect visible skin peeling. This process usually starts a few days after your initial appointment and will improve significantly in the next few days. Your skin may feel tight and dry, but you should not experience intolerable pain.
It is recommended that you avoid direct sun exposure after your treatment. You should use sunscreen even after your recovery and ensure you re-apply after every two hours when outdoors. After a few days, you will notice the dark spots on your skin have lightened, and the color and texture of your skin will improve, allowing you to be more confident in your skin’s appearance.
Final Thoughts
Beautiful and healthy-looking skin can help boost your self-confidence and quality of life. To eliminate unwanted flaws on your skin, you should trust professionally trained dermatologists to provide chemical peel services.