When you hear the words “chemical peel”, unless you know what it is, it may seem daunting or even scary. But a chemical peel is far from scary. It’s not a procedure, but actually a very thorough type of facial. It doesn’t hurt, but it can sting a little.
What does a chemical peel treat?
A chemical peel will help with a number of different skin issues. Acne scars, aging skin, crows feet, hyperpigmentation, melasma, scars, sun damaged skin, sagging skin, and wrinkles.
What is a chemical peel?
It’s a technique used to improve the skin on the face, neck, or hands. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that will exfoliate the skin, and then peel off. Your skin after the peel will be younger looking and generally have fewer wrinkles. Getting a chemical peel will make your skin somewhat more sensitive to the skin for a few days. When you get a chemical peel, you’ll be given all of the specifics about how to care for your skin afterwards for maximum results.
Different types of chemical peels
There are three different types of chemical peels, each one stronger than the last.
The first is called a superficial or lunch-time peel. It uses a mild acid that penetrates the outer layer of skin, gently exfoliating it. It can improve mild skin discoloration and rough skin, as well as improve the general look of the skin the peel is applied to. This peel takes one to seven days to heal.
The second is a medium peel. An acid that’s slightly stronger is applied to penetrate the outer and middle layers of the skin to remove damaged skin cells. This treatment will improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and moderate skin discoloration. A medium peel takes seven to 14 days to heal.
A deep peel is the last chemical peel, and the most intense. The acid deeply penetrates through the middle layer of skin. It removes moderate lines, freckles, and shallow scars. If you choose to get this peel, you’ll see a dramatic change in your skin, and this particular peel can only be performed on your face and can only be done once. You can expect your skin to take 14 to 21 days to heal. You’ll also need a few follow up appointments to ensure that your skin heals properly.
