Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Peels
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' plastic surgery statistics report, 931,473 chemical peels were performed in the United States in 2020 alone. In this report, it was also noted that this procedure is the country's fourth most common non-invasive cosmetic procedure.
A chemical peel improves the appearance of the skin on the neck, face, and hands. The skin is treated with a chemical solution that enables it to peel and exfoliate gradually. The new skin, which has been regenerated, is usually less wrinkled and smoother than the old skin.
For more in-depth knowledge, Dr Saami provides an overview of chemical peels, including their basic types and the skin conditions they treat.
Three Basic Types of Chemical Peels
Lunchtime or Superficial Peel
The ‘lightest' peels are superficial peels, which are the only ones that can be used as a ‘lunchtime peel.' There is very little downtime as a result of the treatment because it is superficial.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are used to gently exfoliate the skin's epidermis, bringing instant brightening and smoothing.
Light chemical peels are appropriate for people who have:
Dry skin
Mild acne
Very fine lines, dull skin, and wrinkles
Mild sun damage with pigmentation
Post-inflammatory pigmentation
The benefit of a superficial peel is that it allows you to return to your normal routine very quickly, and any light shedding can usually be concealed with make-up.
Medium Peel
Medium peels can be used alone or as part of a blended or combined peel. They remove damaged skin cells by penetrating the outer and inner layers of skin with glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
It can also be used to smoothen rough skin and treat precancerous skin growths such as actinic keratosis. When these chemicals are administered to the skin, they penetrate deep enough to damage the epidermis as well as a portion or all of the papillary dermis.
Medium-depth peels are beneficial to people with the following conditions:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Sun damage and sun spots
Scarring
Skin texture abnormalities
Age spots
A medium peel takes around one week to heal, though this varies depending on the strength of TCA used, how much is applied, and how long it is left on.
However, TCA peels should be performed with caution on patients with darker skin tones because they may cause scarring or post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Deep Peel
Deep peels aren't as popular as they used to be because they require sedation or anesthesia and thus, cannot be conducted in a typical aesthetic clinical setting.
Phenol is typically combined with croton oil in varying doses, and once applied, it penetrates the dermis and even the reticular dermis, enhancing the benefit for new collagen formation.
Individuals with the following conditions should consider getting a deep peel:
Severe photoaging
Deep or heavy wrinkles
Scarring
Healing and seeing the ultimate result can take up to three months. Since deep skin peels are not recommended for dark-skinned individuals due to the greater risk of permanent pigmentation changes, other treatments, such as laser resurfacing, have become popular as alternatives to prevent the negative effects of deep peels.
Consult with The Skin Expert
Chemical peels are becoming more popular in aesthetic and cosmetic clinics, but because they may damage the skin and involve a medical procedure, they require proper medical supervision to guarantee patient safety. The technique used during a chemical peel is also important since how much pressure is used when applying the acid, how many passes are performed, and how long it is left on can all affect the depth and strength of the peel.
Dr. Saami is a board-certified dermatologist and skilled cosmetic surgeon in Southern California who can assist you in achieving your healthy skin goals today. Book a consultation now!
