All About the Chemical Peels

Sick and tired of fine lines and wrinkles? How about age spots, mild scars, or dark patches?

Chemical peels are an amazing way to significantly reduce the appearance of all of these. And they can be performed on the face, neck, or hands.

They’re a great nonsurgical alternative for improving your complexion and restoring confidence in your appearance.

What Chemical Peels Address

Life is tough on the skin.

Sun damage and aging create wrinkles. Squinting and smiling result in fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth. Acne is unsightly and can leave scars. Even pregnancy and birth control pills can wreak havoc on the skin. Chemical peels can address all of these conditions and more.

It is important to understand that they can’t take care of every one of your skin maladies though. Sagging and bulging skin or deep wrinkles generally don’t respond well to chemical peels. In these instances, your board-certified surgeon would likely recommend a procedure such as an SMAS facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, dermal filler, or laser resurfacing.

The Chemical Peel Procedure

The procedure isn’t terribly complicated. First, your eyes and hair will be covered with protection so that your skin can be thoroughly cleansed with an agent to remove excess oils. Then, a chemical solution is applied to your skin. At this point, you may feel a warm to somewhat hot sensation followed by a stinging sensation. If the stinging is problematic, a cool compress may be applied to your skin. The chemical is then washed off and removed.

Chemical peels are not a one-size-fits-all affair though.

The light or “lunchtime” chemical peel is usually done in a series and it’s best for those with fine wrinkling, uneven skin coloring, or rough sun-damaged skin. Only the outermost layer of skin is removed and recovery requires little to no downtime.

With a medium chemical peel, both the outermost layer and the upper part of the middle skin layer are removed. This is a good option for those with more moderate wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, or uneven skin coloring that’s more pronounced.

And a deep chemical peel provides the most dramatic results. In this case, the chemical penetrates all the way down to the lower middle layer of the skin. This is most often recommended for those with moderate lines and wrinkles, extensive sun-damaged skin, deep acne scars, blotchy skin, and actinic keratosis. When done on the face, it’s a one-time treatment that requires pretreatment for up to eight weeks.

There’s also a new option on the market – the VI chemical peel.

The New VI Chemical Peel

Fair-skinned and light-haired patients have long been better candidates for chemical peels. But with the newest chemical peel known as the VI Peel, this is no longer the case. The VI Peel is one of the safest chemical peels on the market and is ideal for a wide range of skin types. It can dramatically improve the skin’s texture and tone, leaving it with a clear and radiant glow.

Using a unique blend of minerals, salicylic acid, vitamin C, phenol, retinoic acid, and TCA, the VI Peel works to safely remove damaged layers of skin and promote cellular growth. At the most basic level, this blend will help the skin to build collagen and elastin; tightening the skin, shrinking enlarged pores, and erasing fine lines and wrinkles.

The VI Peel also provides stunning results to those struggling with dull or damaged skin as a result of acne, rosacea, sun damage, or melasma and other hyperpigmentation issues.

It requires no oral or IV sedation and is nearly painless. Plus, for those with darker skin types, it requires no skin preconditioning. And given that this blend is packed with vitamins and minerals, the VI Peel is more nourishing than a traditional chemical peel.

Curious About Chemical Peels?

If you think one of the variety of available chemical peels might be right for you, then contact us today.

During your free consultation, you’ll meet with a plastic surgeon who will guide you in making the proper choice that will fit your needs. And should you require something more than a chemical peel, he or she will inform you of next best steps.