7 Reasons You Should Consider A Chemical Peel

You may have heard about facial peels or seen anti-aging skin creams in stores. In some ways, they sound too good to be true: after a few days and a short peeling period, your skin is restored to a youthful glow. But are chemical peels that effective? And how do they work? Learn everything you need to know about chemical peels below.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel treatment peels off the top layer of skin, usually on the face. This outer layer is mostly composed of dead skin cells. Removing it can treat a wide range of skin conditions, including sun damage, wrinkles, acne trouble spots, scaly spots, and other types of skin damage.

What Kinds Are There?

There are a few different kinds of chemical peels. Here are the three basic types of chemical peels:

Light: The most basic peel is a light peel. This is good for superficial skin damage and acne, and for reducing sun-damaged skin. You will need additional peels every 2–5 weeks according to the Mayo Clinic.
Medium: Medium-depth peeling uses trichloroacetic or glycolic acid to penetrate deeper layers. This added depth of peeling allows it to reach damaged skin cells. You may need additional medium-depth peels for the best results.
Deep: A deep peel is the most aggressive peel. Deep peels often use phenol and/or trichloroacetic acid. A single treatment is usually sufficient.

Please consult your doctor before getting any type of peel. Your family history may impact your facial treatment.

Why Should I Get One?

Chemical peel treatment can fix a range of skin concerns like minor scarring and some types of acne using mild acids. This cosmetic treatment is good on multiple skin types and does not require surgery. Recovery time varies with the depth of the peel, but most clients see dramatic improvements and more youthful skin. At Utopia Spa we offer a variety of chemical peel treatments to enhance your skins natural beauty.

Retinol + C Peel Boost
GlyPro Resurfacing Peel
Hydra-Bright AHA Glow Peel
Flower Enzyme Peel

How Is It Different from Other Cosmetic Procedures?

The first difference between peels and other aesthetic treatments is that a chemical peel’s range is comparatively minimal. Even a deep chemical peel will not be able to cure the same array of issues that botox or laser treatments will. It destroys the outermost layer of skin. That is all. According to PlasticSurgery.org, a chemical peel will not fix skin sags or deep scarring. They are effective, but limited in what they can do.

Another major difference is recovery time. The recovery time is usually less for chemical peels than it is for cosmetic surgery. However, this varies significantly by the type of peel and any other medical conditions. Contact your skin care professional to see if chemical peels are an option for you.

Finally, chemical peels are non-invasive. There are no knives or lasers involved.

Does It Hurt?

Giving your face an acid bath sounds painful—but is it? It depends on how deep the peeling goes. Light peels have a slight stinging sensation according to Healthline.com. More intense peels tend to be more painful since they use harsher chemicals.

The more chemicals you put on your face for deeper peels, the longer recovery will take. Phenol peels may carry medical risks and take longer than other types of chemical peel. Deeper peels may require an anesthetic. Your face may also be sore or swollen afterward, and you may need to stay inside to avoid UV damage.

Are There Any Side-Effects?

Chemical peel treatments are among the safest aesthetic treatments. They are also among the most effective options for removing acne without a laser. Please follow any directions weeks before treatment. Let your skin care specialist know if you have a history of herpes outbreaks, including cold sores, or a history of keloids.

However, as the name implies, there is an unpleasant (but not painful) peeling of the outermost layer of the affected skin. The peeling process takes a few days. During that time, you may be asked to stay indoors or take antiviral medication. But healthy skin awaits beneath the patches of skin that flake off.

People with darker skin tones may experience hyper- or hypopigmentation depending on the depth of peeling. Other side effects may include fungal or viral infection, swelling, abnormal skin scarring, and heart, kidney, or liver damage. Even with a peel’s incredible benefits, you should always consult a medical professional.

Even though peels are relatively safe, please follow all postop instructions carefully. Medium-depth peels may take considerably longer to recover from, and deep peels longer still.

Conclusion

A chemical peel is one of the most cost-effective and safest ways to get beautiful skin. They are safe and effective but do not cover the full spectrum of possible skin issues. The treatment still results in skin with a more vibrant appearance and remains a good alternative to laser surgery.