Description: chemical peels are techniques used to improve and even out the appearance of your skin. It may help reduce some signs of aging. This may include fine lines, sunspots, acne scars, fine wrinkles, sun spots, enlarged pores or sun damage. Facial skin tends to be treated most often, and damaged scarring is often improved.
Overview: chemical peel procedure is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. The surgeon removes the topmost layer of the uppermost epidermis or skin layer. In order for chemical peels to work effectively they must be done carefully and in a controlled fashion. A strong dose of concentration is applied to your skin, followed by carefully working into the deeper layers. The outermost layer of the epidermis is then removed, usually with the use of a needle. A deeper, unaffected layer of skin (the stratum corneum) is then treated.
Benefits: As you can imagine, there are many different types of benefits from undergoing chemical peels. You are able to treat many common skin conditions. The procedure helps to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, acne scarring, fine wrinkles and fine lines. It can also help improve skin conditions like rosacea, pigmentation, melasma, hyperpigmentation, acne hyperpigmentation and fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. However, the procedure is not recommended for all these conditions.
Dos and Don’ts: As with any type of cosmetic surgery, you should always discuss any and all procedures with your board certified plastic surgeon. He or she will be able to guide you through the recovery process and give you the information you need to make an informed decision about the treatment. Remember that the success rate of chemical peels is high. Because of this, it is important that you follow your plastic surgeon’s pre-operative and post-operative instructions carefully in order to prevent any complications.
Side Effects: There are some common side effects associated with chemical peels that you should be aware of. Some of these side effects include redness, dryness and mild burning of the face and/or neck. These effects may subside over a period of time. This is particularly true if you stop the chemical treatment and allow your skin to heal itself.
Risks: There are no major risks when it comes to chemical peels. One possible risk is that chemical peels can remove too much of a layer of skin at once. This can lead to a “peel out” of the second layer of skin. If this happens, your new skin will look different than the new skin you had prior to having the chemical peels. There is also a risk that chemical peels may be very painful and take several weeks or months to work.