A Chemical Peel is a cosmetic body treatment technique that is used to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the skin to blister and eventually peel off the body.
The regenerated skin is usually much smoother and less wrinkled than the older skin. Some types of chemical peels can be purchased and administered without one having a medical license, however it is highly suggested that you seek professional help from a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon or dermatologist on the specific type of chemical peel you are looking in to before a procedure is performed.
There are three types of chemical peels:
Alpha Hydroxyacid Peels
An Alpha hydroxyacids (AHA) is a naturally occurring organic carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, a natural constituent of sugar cane juice and lactic acid, found in sour milk and tomato juice. This is the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Alpha hydroxyacids can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.
AHA peels are used to:
* Reduce fine wrinkling
* Treat areas of dryness
* Reduce uneven pigmentation
* Aid in the control of acne outbreaks
* Smooth away rough dry skin
* Improve the texture of sun-damaged skin
AHA peels may potentially:
* Cause stinging
* Cause skin redness
* Cause mild skin irritation
* Cause dryness
* Take multiple treatments for desired results
Trichloroacetic Acid Peels
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used as an intermediate to deep peeling agent in concentrations ranging from 20-50%. The depth of penetration is increased as concentration increases, with 50% TCA penetrating into the reticular dermis. Concentrations higher than 35% are not recommended because of the high risk of scarring.
Trichloroacetic acid peels:
* Are referred for darker-skinned patients over Phenol
* Smooth out fine surface wrinkles
* Remove superficial blemishes
* Correct skin pigment problems
Trichloroacetic acid peels may:
* Require pre-treatment with Retin-A or AHA creams
* Require repeat treatment to maintain results
* Require the use of sun block for several months (this is a must)
* Take several days to healing depending on the peel depth
Phenol Peels
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep skin peel. Recent studies have suggested that phenol is most likely the only carrier for another active component in the solution, namely croton oil.
Phenol alone produces only a light peel, which is ineffective for restructuring the deeper dermal structures (such as wrinkles). The term Phenol/Croton oil peel has been proposed as a more accurate descriptor, but the established terminology phenol peel continues to be the dominant usage, as the role of croton oil in the mix is not as widely understood.
Effects of a phenol chemical peel are long lasting, and in some cases are still readily apparent for up to 20 years following the cosmetic procedure. Improvements in the patient’s skin can be very dramatic. A single treatment usually achieves the desired result.
Phenol peels are used to:
* Correct blotches caused by sun exposure or aging
* Smooth out coarse deep wrinkles
* Remove precancerous growths
Phenol peels may:
* Pose a risk for patients with heart problems
* Permanently remove facial freckles
* Cause permanent skin lightening by reducing the ability to produce pigment
* Take several months to heal
* Require increased protection from the sun for life
If you are considering a chemical peel, we suggest you click on one or more of the links below to connect with a qualified cosmetic plastic surgeon, or dermatologist about your situation in more detail…
