If you have fine lines near your eyes or mouth, uneven skin coloration, acne scarring or other skin problems, a chemical peel might improve your appearance. During a chemical peel, a practitioner applies a chemical solution that removes a layer of skin. If successful, the result is a new layer of skin that does not have the preexisting skin problems.
Types
Practitioners use different chemical solutions, each of which has specific benefits and drawbacks, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, are mild solutions used to treat fine wrinkle, dryness, acne, sun damage, uneven pigmentation and roughness. A phenol chemical peel -- the strongest solution -- smooths wrinkles, removes precancerous growths and eliminates blotchiness due to aging, sun damage or birth-control pills. Trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, is milder than phenol but is often less effective, so multiple applications might be necessary.
Effects
Possible complications of chemical-peel procedures include scarring, changes in skin tone, and increased prevalence of cold sores and fever blisters, according to the UMMC. The university warns that AHAs might cause dryness, redness, irritation, crusting, flaking, scaling or stinging. Phenol may lighten your skin permanently, leave lines, remove freckles or pose hazards to those with heart problems. UMMC says dark-skinned people should avoid phenol treatments. Patients who receive a TCA treatment, meanwhile, must avoid direct sunlight for several months.
Prevention
Take proper care of your skin to decrease your need for chemical-peel treatments. Minimize or avoid direct exposure to the sun. If you must be in sunlight, wear sunscreen and clothes that cover your skin, such as a long-sleeved shirt and a wide hat. Avoid smoking, because the chemicals in tobacco smoke damage your skin. Also, a smoker's repetitive movements, such as pursing the lips around a cigarette and squinting to keep out smoke, can cause wrinkles, according to Princeton University.
Considerations
Skin problems that seem cosmetic in nature may actually be damaging, so see a dermatologist to determine your treatment options. Typically, a dermatologist will examine your entire body to look for lesions, blemishes or growths that might be precancerous or cancerous. Ask a doctor for specific recommendations about which chemical peels will eliminate your skin problems.
Warning
Find a physician who has sufficient experience and training in skin resurfacing. Be aware that some states do not require practitioners who administer chemical peels to have a medical degree, but regulate the strengths of the chemical solutions they can use.
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