If you want to erase the effects of aging, sun exposure or naturally occurring uneven skin texture and color on your face or body, you may want to discuss chemical peel skin treatment options with your dermatologist or esthetician. Although chemical peels are highly effective, you must follow a personalized pre- and post-treatment regimen to achieve the best results, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society.
Identification
A chemical peel is a beauty treatment that uses special chemical solutions, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, carbolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid, to literally burn off several layers of skin, exposing the skin underneath, which is usually smoother and less wrinkled, states the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Although dermatologists and estheticians, or skin care specialists, usually perform chemical peels on the face, they may also be performed elsewhere on the body such as the hands. Chemical peels can eradicate sun spots, freckles, fine lines or wrinkles, and melasma, or dark skin discolorations generally resulting from oral contraceptives or pregnancy.
Types
Skincare professionals perform three types of chemical peels: The first type, superficial peels, also called lunchtime peels, penetrate just your outer layer of skin and treat mild skin discolorations as well as leave your skin smoother and softer. The second type, medium peels, penetrate your outer layer of skin and sink in to your skin's middle layer. Medium peels treat a wide variety of age-related skin concerns, such as freckles, age spots, moderate skin discoloration and can possibly eliminate actinic keratoses, a condition in which small, rough, red and scaly patches appear on your ears, face, nose, forearms and chest from sun overexposure. Finally, deep chemical peels penetrate deep into your skin's middle layer, and can remove shallow scars, moderate wrinkles, age spots and freckles. Deep chemical peels can make you look years younger, states SkinCarePhysicians.com.
Methodology
An esthetician or dermatologist cleanses your skin to remove excess oils, and protects your hair and eyes before the treatment. She then applies the peel to your problem location, such as your face, neck, legs, arms or hands, using one or more chemical solutions. The dermatologist lets the solution set on your face for several minutes, and then removes the peel.
Considerations
You probably will not need pain medication to undergo a superficial chemical peel. However, for a moderate or deep chemical peel, you will most likely be placed under general anesthesia--medication that will put you to sleep during the procedure. You will also probably be prescribed pain medication and have to return to your dermatologist for several follow-up visits to ensure that you are healing properly, states SkinCarePhysicians.com.
Risks
You may develop a temporary or permanent skin color change after undergoing a facial or body chemical peel, especially if you have a family history of skin discoloration or are taking birth control pills. You may also scar after a chemical peel treatment, although post-treatment scarring is usually treated with good results, states the AAD.
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