Chemical peels work to improve the look and feel of a patient’s skin. They are a treatment in which an acid solution is usedapplied to remove the damaged outer layer of the skin. They can be areused to treat fine lines, wrinkles, mild scars, sun damage, age spots, freckles, and dark patches. You can treat the whole face or treat a localized area.
There are three different types of chemical peels, superficial, medium grade, and deep peels. Superficial peels focus the treatment on the top layer of the skin. A medium peel goes deeper, cleaning all five layers of the epidermis to the top layer of the dermis. As for the deeper peels, they go past the papillary layer in the dermis, to the reticular layer and possibly the subcutaneous tissue, depending on a patient’s needs.
Before scheduling a chemical peel, you should schedule a consultation with one of our aestheticians or Dr. Sabini first. You should use this opportunity to make them aware of your medical history such as scarring and a history of cold sores. Certain topical treatments will also need to be discontinued prior to the peel.
There are many different peels for specific skin types. Fair-skinned and light-haired patients are generally better candidates for medium to deep peels. If your skin is darker or tanned, you may require a lighter type of peel or test a spot prior to any treatment.
Following the peel, you will be given instructions on post-peel skin care. You will more than likely be required to wash the treated area a few times a day and then cover with a thick moisturizer. The initial recovery time after a chemical peel is three to seven days. After the first week, you may experience some peeling, inflammation or redness. If you are having a TCA or Phenol peel, you could experience pinkness for four to twelve weeks following your treatment.
Looking for the right chemical peel for your skin type can be a challenging thing. Luckily, Dr. Paul Sabini and licensed aestheticians have many years of experience and education to provide you with the correct services. For more information on our other chemical peels and services offered, feel free to visit our website.