Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures designed to address fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin coloring, hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Furthermore, it can improve rough and dry skin conditions.

Chemical peels are performed by professionals who apply a solution that produces controlled wounds while simultaneously exfoliating dead skin cells, leaving behind healthier-looking and smoother-feeling new skin cells in their place.

Wrinkles

Chemical peels can effectively smooth fine lines and wrinkles by smoothing your skin texture, improving its tone and brightness, unclogging pores and helping with some acne problems. They also minimize sun damage, dark spots, scars and precancerous growths while being safe for most skin tones, including darker ones. A light chemical peel involves only the removal of outermost skin layers (epidermis). Medium peels involve extracting both epidermis as well as portions of upper dermis layer for maximum wrinkle reduction, acne scarring and uneven skin tone issues.

Your doctor will use a brush, cotton ball or sponge to apply a chemical solution made up of glycolic acid to your skin with an application process similar to applying makeup. While you may experience burning sensations during your peel session, they are temporary. A mild pain reliever should help manage discomfort. Your doctor may advise using heavy moisturizer post-peel session in order to protect from dryness afterward. Chemical peels do not treat deep wrinkles or loose skin so in these instances a facelift or other cosmetic surgery may be required for optimal results.

Sun Damage

Chemical peels can help correct uneven skin tone, freckles and sun damage while stimulating collagen production to firm and smooth the skin. Deep wrinkles, sagging skin or severe scars typically do not respond well to chemical peels but may require surgical intervention instead.

Before your chemical peel treatment, ensure the area is clean. Also avoid waxing, epilating or using depilatory hair removal products for at least one week prior to scheduling an appointment; facial scrubs and exfoliants must also be discontinued prior to your session. In case you are receiving medium or deep chemical peels requiring sedation, please arrange a ride home afterward as this requires sedation.

After your peel, it is crucial that you wear sunscreen daily and limit direct sun exposure as new skin is very delicate. In addition, be sure to follow all the directions from your dermatologist when removing and replacing dressing or healing ointment and moisturizing the area as instructed by them. You should also refrain from picking at your skin as picking at it increases scarring risks.

Age Spots

Chemical peels offer quick and effective ways to diminish age spots and fine lines with just one treatment. Glycolic and Jessner peels reduce melasma, freckles, hyperpigmentation, as well as lighten scarring; Retinol peels lighten scarring by moisturizing skin while lightening scars; for more serious scars your dermatologist may suggest laser or surgical procedures as solutions.

Chemical Peel Treatment

A light chemical peel, commonly referred to as a lunchtime peel, is designed for gentle treatments that won’t leave your face red or flaky afterwards. You may feel some stinging sensation during the procedure; medium and deep chemical peels require that doctors numb the treatment area with sedatives or painkillers before applying the chemical.

People with darker skin may be at a greater risk for severe discoloration and scarring from chemical peels, so it is wise to visit a dermatologist experienced in treating those with darker complexions. You should also refrain from waxing, electrolysis and hair-dye treatments in the week prior to receiving your peel and arrange transportation home should sedation be required for medium or deep peels.

Acne

Chemical peels can improve skin tone and texture by exfoliating dead cells from the surface. They may also help reduce blemishes, scars and fine lines by encouraging new cell growth – yet these cannot tighten loose skin or reverse sun damage.

Before your peel, your doctor will clean and prepare the treatment area by applying a topical preparation cream — typically retinoic acid — which thins out the top layer of facial skin in order to facilitate deeper penetration of the peel into your skin.

Based on the type of peel you get, your doctor may use a gauze pad, special sponge, cotton-tipped applicator or cotton-tipped applicator to apply the solution. Trichloroacetic acid may be used for deeper peels to give skin an electric blue hue and cause redness before being washed off by your dermatologist and dressings or ointments may be applied during that time to soothe it and increase its effects; but pick at or scratching peeling skin is best avoided as this may increase risk and cause irregular pigmentation or discolouration and discolorations over time.