Most individuals with a pale complexion are better candidates for Marietta chemical peels. Depending on the condition being treated, you may also have great outcomes if you have darker skin. However, patients with darker skin may be more prone to having uneven skin tone following the procedure. Chemical peels also do not work well on skin that sags, bulges, or has more severe wrinkles. Other cosmetic surgery operations, including laser resurfacing, a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, or soft tissue filler, may be required before receiving a chemical peel. A dermatologic surgeon can advise you on the best course of therapy for you.
Overview of chemical peels
Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that may be used on the face, hands, and neck. They are used to improve the aesthetic and feel of your skin. During this process, chemical solutions will be administered to the region being treated, causing the skin to exfoliate and finally peel off. The new skin beneath is frequently smoother, seems less wrinkled, and may have less damage. Chemical peels can also be used to do the following:
- Reduce the appearance of small wrinkles beneath the eyes and around the lips
- Treat sun-damaged skin and wrinkles brought on by aging
- Enhance the look of minor scars
- Treat certain forms of acne
- Reduce the visibility of freckles, age spots, and dark patches (melasma) caused by pregnancy or birth control pills
Type of chemical peels you can get
There are three primary kinds of chemical peels available. They are as follows:
- Superficial peels exfoliate softly with moderate acids like alpha-hydroxy acid. It only perforates the top layer of the skin.
- Medium peels employ trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to reach the middle and outer layers of the skin. This boosts its efficiency in eliminating damaged skin cells.
- Deep peels completely penetrate the skin’s inner layer to remove damaged skin cells; these peels frequently include phenol acid.
How chemical peels are performed
A chemical peel is available in a specialist’s office or a surgical facility. It is an outpatient operation, so there will be no overnight stay. The specialist who does your peel will first carefully clean your skin. Then they will administer one or more chemical solutions to tiny sections of your skin, like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid (phenol). This generates a controlled wound, allowing new skin to grow in its place. Most people experience a burning feeling that lasts around five to ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation during a chemical peel. Applying cold compresses to the area may help to alleviate the stinging sensation. During or after a deeper peel, you may need pain relievers.
What to consider after a chemical peel
Depending on the chemical peel, a sunburn-like response occurs after the process. Peeling is often red, followed by scaling that lasts three to seven days. Mild peels can be repeated every 1-4 weeks until you get the desired appearance. Medium-depth and deep peeling may cause edema and blisters that split, harden, turn brown, and peel off during a seven to fourteen-day period. If required, medium-depth peels can be repeated every six to twelve months. Following treatment, you may need bandages on some or all of the treated skin for several days. Since your new skin will be delicate following a chemical peel, you should avoid the sun for many months.
The fresh skin is more sensitive to the sun after any peel. Talk to your specialist about how long you should keep your skin protected from the sun. Call AdvancedMD Aesthetics of Atlanta or book an appointment online to learn more about chemical peels.
