Why Summer Is a Great Time for a Chemical Peel
Is your skin looking tired and dull? Are fine lines, wrinkles, and creases causing you to feel self-conscious? Are your acne scars plaguing you? We’ve got great news for you. Chemical peels are a tried and true way to reduce acne scars and reveal younger, brighter, and smoother skin. Here’s how.
What Is a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are superficial cosmetic procedures performed in a medical spa or dermatologist’s office. Their ultimate purpose is to brighten skin tone, minimize signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines, and act as an effective acne scar treatment. Chemical peels remove the surface layers of skin, gradually revealing fresh skin beneath. Over time and through repetition, chemical peels work wonders on fading dark spots, smoothing out uneven skin tone, and reducing or getting rid of acne scars and pockmarks.
In general, it’s best to receive a chemical peel treatment every 6-8 weeks if you’re actively working to solve one of these common skin issues. A doctor may recommend chemical peels for acne scars more frequently if needed. While chemical peels are non-invasive cosmetic treatments, they can cause slight redness similar to a mild sunburn. They might also include some flaking or crusting, depending on the depth of the peel, which can last about a week or so.
How Do Chemical Peels Work?
Chemical peels utilize special chemical formulas to remove the topmost layer of skin and additionally to help stimulate collagen production. Collagen is responsible for skin’s elasticity and firmness, and it decreases as we age. Peels come in different depths based on the skin condition being targeted. Chemical peels for acne scars often use glycolic acid or salicylic acid. An additional option is the SkinMedica Illuminize chemical peel. All three types of peels are great for brightening skin tone and reducing dark spots, but salicylic acid peels are the preferred option for oily, acne-prone skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Deeper chemical peels like the SkinMedica Vitalize Peel and Rejuvenize Peel use a higher concentration of salicylic acid, as well as lactic acid and retinol. These types of chemical peels are most effective for moderate to severe skin conditions like deeper wrinkles, severe acne, and skin discoloration from sun damage.
What Happens During a Chemical Peel?
Before your chemical peel, you may be instructed to prepare your skin with a special topical agent to make the peel more effective. When you come into the office for your treatment, your skin is first cleansed to remove any excess dirt and oil, and your hair and eyes are covered with protective shields. Then, your selected chemical solution is applied and remains on the skin for a period of time before being neutralized and washed off.
Cool compresses are applied after the neutralization and removal of the solution. These help soothe and replenish the skin. Most chemical peels can be completed within one hour, and some can take just under a half-hour.
Contact The Dermatology Group
Want to target your skin conditions with a chemical peel or talk to your doctor about whether you’re a good candidate? If you’re in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, contact The Dermatology Group today for an appointment.