If you want healthier, younger-looking skin, then a chemical peel may be what you need. There are two different strengths of chemical peels, and each can be tailored for your specific needs.
Some of the skin conditions that can be improved upon with a chemical peel are:
- Sun damage and uneven pigmentation
- Scars and blemishes
- Skin texture issues
- Pre-cancerous skin growths
- Wrinkles
Chemical Peels – The mildest type of chemical peel is an alphahydroxy acid (AHA) peel. These peels can improve uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and clear up dry patches of skin. Your skin will be left looking smoother, brighter and healthier. AHA peels can be done quickly (in some cases, just ten minutes) and do not require a long recovery process. In fact, you can receive an AHA peel on your lunch hour and go right back to work afterwards!
Trichloroacetic acid peels (TCA) are much stronger than AHA peels. They can tackle blemishes, skin pigment issues and surface wrinkles. A doctor completes this procedure by smoothing on a chemical solution that removes several of the outer layers of skin. After undergoing one, you will not be allowed to return to work for around a week, since your skin must go through a healing process that includes redness, throbbing, swelling and tingling.
In either case, you may have to undergo more than one peel in order to achieve the results that you want.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR CHEMICAL PEEL
What can a chemical peel do for me?
Chemical peels are done by covering the skin in a specially designed chemical solution. This will cause the outer, damaged layers of skin to peel off as the skin heals, allowing more youthful, healthier skin to appear. Some of the issues that a chemical peel can help with include removing sun damage, fixing uneven pigmentation, solving texture problems, improving wrinkles and scarring, and removing pre-cancerous growths, as well as blemishes.
Am I a good candidate for a chemical peel?
Chemical peels are designed for those who want to see visible improvements in their blemished, sun-damaged or wrinkled skin without having to undergo surgery or other more extreme procedures. However, you need to have realistic expectations as to what results you will see with a chemical peel.
There are two different types of peels available: AHA and TCA, and both come in varying strengths. This allows Dr. Price to tailor the peel to your skin type, skin issues, and the results that you are looking for. Please schedule a consultation with him in order to go over your options.
How is a chemical peel performed?
An AHA peel does not require any anesthesia, and is usually performed in a dermatologist’s office. Since TCA peels are stronger and remove more layers of the skin, the chemical solution is usually used in conjunction with a cooling method, like cold air. In some cases, your dermatologist may give you an oral sedative as well, to minimize any pain that occurs during the process.
What is the recovery from a chemical peel like?
The recovery time after receiving an AHA peel is minimal, and in most cases, you will be able to go right back to work or continue with your daily tasks immediately afterward. However, the recovery time after receiving a TCA peel is longer. You’ll need to be out of work for around a week while your skin peels and then begins to heal.
What are the risks of a chemical peel?
There are only a few risks associated with an AHA peel. However, the complications of a TCA peel include scarring, cold sores, fever blisters, skin allergies and infection. This is why Laser Treatments have become popular – they have fewer complications and less “down time” than chemical peels.