Have you ever considered about a chemical peel? The name itself sounds pretty intense, especially for your skin. Let’s peel back the process of this increasingly popular procedure.
Chemical peels simply improve the skin’s appearance. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it essentially blister and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the “old” skin.
There are three basic types of peels – superficial, medium and deep peels.
Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck or hands and can be used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills
- Improve the look and feel of skin
After a chemical peel, skin is temporarily more sensitive to the sun, so wear sunscreen every day. It should say “broad-spectrum” on the label, protecting against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Limit your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a wide-brimmed hat if possible.
Who is eligible for a chemical peel? Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels. If you have darker skin, you may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated. Skin sags, bulges and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels. They may need other kinds of cosmetic surgical procedures, such as laser resurfacing, facelift, brow life, eyelid life or soft tissue filler. Your surgeon can help determine the most appropriate type of treatment for you. See, it’s not so scary after all.
