Chemical Peels
Sun damaged skin, brown "age" spots, fine lines and wrinkles, dry or flaky skin, rough skin texture, uneven skin tone, adult acne, superficial facial or acne scars, excessive oil on your face... are you bothered by any of these - or by the fact that your skin seems to have lost its healthy, youthful glow? Chemical peels can help you. Chemical peels can also improve whiteheads and blackheads that are seen with acne or excessively oily skin.
What are chemical peels?
Chemical peels are a category of advanced clinical skin rejuvenation treatments that help to reverse the signs of aging and the damage of past sun exposure. There are several different types of chemical peels, as well as different strengths of peels. After a consultation with a SkinHealth Center professional, your own individual chemical peel program will be developed based on your unique needs.
Each day thousands of our skin cells die, flake off and are replaced by new cells. Chemical peels speed up the process. With all chemical peels, a topical solution is applied to the skin to loosen and remove the upper layers of dead and damaged skin and reveal new, fresher skin underneath. This treatment also stimulates a burst of renewal and collagen growth in the deeper layers of the skin.
Chemical peels can be performed on all parts of the body: face, neck, chest, back, arms and legs. Although one peel can significantly improve the appearance of the skin, you may require more than one peel to achieve your best results.
Hundreds of chemical peels have been performed at SkinHealth Centers as part of an exclusive SkinHealth treatment protocol. The results have been outstanding.
Chemical peels, also known as chemical resurfacing, are cosmetic treatments to produce an improved appearance of the face. Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photoaging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, acne, precancerous lesions, and discoloration (or dyschromia). Chemical peels produce controlled injury to the skin that promotes the growth of new skin with an improved appearance.
Many different chemicals can be used including lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, richloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid, and “Jessners” solution. The different chemical solutions produce different degrees of injury to the skin.
There are two layers of the skin; the outer layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis. Superficial peels (e.g. glycolic acid) produce very superficial injury confined to the epidermis. Superficial peels can help improve conditions such as acne and dyschromia. Deeper peels produce injury within the dermis and can reverse moderate-to-severe photoaging and wrinkles. In general, the deeper peels offer the most dramatic results but require longer recovery periods and carry a higher risk of complications.
Chemical peels have actually been used for hundreds of years and have a proven safety record in the proper hands. However, chemical peels are not for everyone. For example, people who are in poor general health should not get peels. Also, active infections and certain medications (i.e. isotretinoin (Accutane)) may preclude the use of chemical peels.
Chemical Peel Procedure:
Chemical peels usually begin with vigorous cleansing of the skin. The depth of the peel depends on the chemical used. Very light peels (e.g. low potency glycolic acid, 10-20% TCA) only penetrate the dead skin cells that sit atop the epidermis and produce almost no injury. Sometimes, this level of peel is called “exfoliation”.
Light Chemical Peels
Light peels (up to 70% glycolic acid, 25-35% TCA) injure the entire epidermis and stimulate the regeneration of a new epidermis. This level of chemical peel may produce a burning sensation during the procedure. Recovery from light peels is quick- hence the name “lunchtime peel”. Improvement in the appearance of photoaged skin and scarring can be acheived with repeated use.
Medium Depth Chemical Peels
Medium depth peels involve injury to the upper level of the dermis. Injury to the dermis stimulates the formation of collagen and “plumps” up the skin. Usually 35% TCA, in combination with another chemical such as glycolic acid, is used safely with minimal discomfort. Burning is the most common complaint during the procedure and this is usually well controlled with cool compresses or topical anesthetics.
Below is an explanation of the types of chemical peels offered at SkinHealth Centers:
Alpha hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids found in a variety of plants and fruits, and Glycolic Acid, a type of AHA, is found in sugar cane. Glycolic acid is widely used for cosmetic purposes. It works by ungluing dead cells on the surface of your skin, and inside your pores, so they can slough off more easily.
Immediately after the first treatment you will see a difference - your skin will have a fresh glow, more even tone and feel smoother and softer. Each procedure lasts a few minutes and progressive improvement in the skin will be noted with each treatment.
Acne prone skin can benefit from glycolic acids peels, as can people with dry, sun damaged skin, fine wrinkles or blotchy pigmentation. Most skin types respond well to glycolic peels, and there are very few risks or problems associated with them.
Glycolic peels are most successful in a series of four or more, spaced approximately two weeks apart. The number of sessions necessary depends on the results you are trying to achieve. Glycolic acid is used in varying strengths, depending upon your individual skin condition. Your SkinHealth professional will discuss with you the best program to fit your needs.
Refinity™ is the brand name of one of several types of AHA peel performed at SkinHealth Centers. It combines a high level of glycolic acid with a skin-soothing ingredient.
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid), BetaLift® or Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in the bark of the willow tree. BetaLift® peels work in the same manner as glycolic acid peels. These are appropriate for overall skin rejuvenation, and may also be used selectively for acne-prone skin, rosacea and melasma.
Who are candidates for chemical peels?
Women and men whose skin looks dull and has a "weathered" look; people with a blotchy complexion, fine lines and wrinkles, dry or flaky skin; people who have acne, acne scars or oily skin; or a variety of other conditions.
How do I take care of my skin afterwards?
We'll teach you how to care for your rejuvenated skin, and we'll help you establish a skin care regimen to maintain your new glow.